With each month offering something special in Africa, knowing the best places to visit when can make all the difference when planning your trip. In this guide, we’ll share our top picks for each month, highlighting where to go for your dream safari, active adventures and relaxing beach escapes with your family.

January

January is the perfect time to explore East Africa. It falls within the short dry season, and the landscape is lush green. Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti are magical now, with wildebeest calving season bringing hundreds of thousands of newborns and, of course, plenty of predators. This time of year is also ideal for fewer crowds and affordable rates, and if you’d prefer a sunny beach escape, Kenya’s coast is at its best.

January in Tanzania

February

In February, Africa’s quieter corners and beach paradises should be top of your list! Between the rains, Kenya‘s landscapes come alive in the north, offering calm, crowd-free safaris perfect for families. For those seeking tropical bliss, the Maldives delivers flawless beach days with warm, calm seas ideal for snorkeling and ocean adventures. Meanwhile, in the heart of the mountains, Uganda and Rwanda offer prime conditions for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, where families can bond over the thrill of spotting these magnificent primates.

February in Rwanda

March

Its our favourite time of year in Cape Town with long, sunny days and calm, comfortable conditions. The beaches are peaceful and ideal for family relaxation, while the slightly cooler air is perfect for hikes and enjoying the vineyards during the grape harvest season. For families wanting a malaria-free safari, nearby Eastern Cape nature reserves offer amazing safari experiences, and for a taste of real adventure, an Orange River rafting trip along the Namibian border is at its best during March and April. Meanwhile, the Maldives boasts warm beach days and excellent water visibility for divers, with brief refreshing showers and rising temperatures marking the onset of surfing season.

March in the Eastern Cape South Africa

April

If you are looking for some winter sun April is idyllic for family beach escapes in the Seychelles, where calm waters and sunny days create a paradise for little ones to splash and explore. With superb visibility, it’s a prime month for snorkeling and diving to see vibrant reefs and marine life. In South Africa, the cooler weather marks an excellent time for both safaris and beach holidays, with Kruger and malaria-free reserves like Madikwe and Phinda offering intimate, crowd-free experiences. Cape Town enjoys warm, sunny days before the winter rains. Meanwhile, Botswana’s lush landscapes and tranquil settings make it ideal for affordable wildlife adventures before the peak July – September period when prices increase.

April in the Seychelles

May

May is a wonderful time for family travel in Mozambique, where coastal temperatures hover around a warm 28°C, ideal for beach days and exploration. Light breezes and open roads in Gorongosa National Park allow for a blend of beach relaxation and safari. In Mauritius, the mild winter brings comfortable mid-20°Cs, fewer crowds, and lower prices, making for relaxed beach days with excellent visibility for diving, snorkeling, and whale watching. Botswana‘s Okavango Delta and Chobe River are in full flood, providing remarkable game viewing as wildlife gathers around water sources. In South Africa‘s KwaZulu-Natal, May’s dry season is perfect for safaris, warm beaches, and family hikes in the Drakensberg mountains.

The Drakensburg mountains in May

June

In June, Tanzania‘s Grumeti Reserve offers an exclusive vantage point to witness the dramatic wildebeest crossings of the Grumeti River during the Great Migration, with fewer crowds for a more personal experience. In Uganda and Rwanda, the dry season makes for ideal conditions for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi, with drier trails and peak chimpanzee viewing in Kibale Forest. Meanwhile, Kenya sees the start of the migration in the Maasai Mara, providing thrilling family safari experiences and beautiful weather on the coast, perfect for combining safari with beach days in places like Diani and Lamu.

Wildebeest crossing the Grumeti River in June

July

July in Southern and Eastern Africa is peak safari season. In Botswana you can enjoy a serene mokoro safari through the flooded Delta or go on thrilling adventures like quad-biking in the Makgadikgadi Pans and tracking Kalahari desert lions. Zambia offers prime walking safari experiences, with animals gathering near water sources and the Lower Zambezi perfect for family fishing. In Kenya, July’s clear skies make for magical safaris, with activities like rhino tracking in Samburu and camel or horseback safaris in Laikipia. Namibia, with dry, mild weather, is ideal for a self-drive adventure, offering superb wildlife viewing around Etosha’s water sources.

Camel trekking in Northern Kenya in July

August

In August, Zambia offers ideal conditions for walking safaris, with comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and low humidity. At Victoria Falls, low water levels offer thrilling activities like white-water rafting and visits to the Devil’s Pool, while excellent game viewing is facilitated by the thinning bush and animals congregating around water sources. In Tanzania, drying water sources lead to optimal game viewing, particularly in Katavi and Ruaha, while the Great Migration continues in the northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara. August is also peak travel time for Uganda and Rwanda, where warm, sunny weather enhances gorilla trekking experiences, with lush landscapes and fewer visitors than the previous months.

Vic falls in August

September

September is a fantastic month to explore Tanzania‘s lesser-known national parks, such as Katavi and Ruaha, which offer exceptional game viewing, chimp trekking, and birdwatching opportunities. Though not as famous as the Serengeti, these parks are rich in wildlife, including big cats, wild dogs, and large herds of buffalo and elephants, along with over 500 bird species. It’s also an ideal time to combine safari adventures with a beach holiday at nearby coastal destinations. In Mozambique, September is perfect for diving and snorkeling, with opportunities to see humpback whales, whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins. The evenings are warmer compared to the cooler months of July and August. In Namibia, September is ideal for exceptional big game viewing in Etosha National Park, where they all gather around depleting waterholes.

Bazaruto Islands Mozambique

October

October is a great travel month for quite a few countries in Africa. Namibia experiences its hottest and driest conditions, with abundant wildlife congregating around diminishing water sources, offering exceptional game viewing despite some dust and haze. It has the perfect windless conditions for a hot air balloon ride over the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei. South Africa shines with spring sunshine, perfect for outdoor activities in Cape Town and superb game viewing in Kruger National Park to combine safari and beach. Kenya or Tanzania are also great choices in October, the short rains start around mid November, so the safari experience is still great, and the whale sharks start arriving along the coast.

If you are looking for a tropical beach escape the Seychelles features warm weather and excellent water visibility for snorkeling and diving, while Mauritius welcomes summer with minimal rainfall, vibrant landscapes, and festive celebrations, making it a popular travel month. To get more off the beaten track Madagascar enjoys warm, dry weather ideal for wildlife viewing, particularly with baby lemurs, while October is also a peak time for snorkeling

Etosha National Park, Namibia in October

November

Mauritius experiences rising temperatures and humidity, creating an inviting atmosphere, highlighted by the festive celebration of Diwali, plenty of sunshine, and excellent conditions for diving and birdwatching.

Cape Town and the Garden Route thrive with warm temperatures and outdoor activities, benefiting from low season availability as summer approaches, making it an ideal time for family adventures.

Mauritius

December

In December, Cape Town enjoys summer with vibrant blue skies and a wealth of activities, from exploring mountains, beach activities and vineyards to dining in fantastic restaurants, while offering opportunities for road trips throughout the Western and Eastern Cape.

Tanzania is an appealing choice during this shoulder season, as it sees fewer visitors and lower prices, with mid-December marking the end of rains, making it perfect for festive wildlife adventures. Kenya also shines as the short rains conclude, rejuvenating the landscape and attracting wildlife to water sources; you can enjoy safaris followed by relaxing on stunning beaches like Diani and Watamu.

The Maldives, although still seeing occasional showers, generally offers warm, dry weather, making it ideal for escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter, but prices start to rise as the Christmas period approaches, so early bookings are advisable for the best deals.

Diani Beach Kenya in December

Contact us at hello@journeysouth.travel we’d love to help you plan your next trip to Africa.

Categories: UncategorizedPublished On: 29/10/2024