An African safari is the final word journey, an incomparable bucket checklist journey.
The journey will take you throughout huge, ever-changing landscapes and offer you an up-close take a look at a number of the world’s most lovely animals of their pure surroundings. You’ll most likely need to pack your baggage as quickly as you begin imagining the superior journey, however just a little planning forward of time could make your journey that little bit extra magical.
When is one of the best time for a safari?
The greatest time to go on safari is between June and October, through the dry season. This is a cooler time of the yr and also you usually tend to see animals, who’re looking for water sources. During these months, you can even catch the long-lasting Masai Mara migration.
Here is a breakdown on a number of the greatest nations to go to, when to go, and the right journeys for you.
Safari in January to February
Giraffe crossing in Serengeti National Park
The Great Migration of wildebeests from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara is awe-inspiring, to say the least. The exact timing of it’s dependent upon rainfall patterns annually, which means you’ll be able to see completely different features of it at completely different occasions: the mass birthing of calves between January and March within the southern Serengeti, and river crossings between July and August.
In addition to wildebeests, safari-goers may even have the prospect to identify Africa’s most well-known predator, lions. Prides of lions will observe the herds for the prime searching alternative they current. Cheetahs, wild canine and hyenas additionally make appearances as they attempt to take down weak members of the herd. If you’re fortunate, you would possibly even see a wildebeest or zebra giving beginning.
READ MORE: 7 REASONS WHY YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE SHOULD BE IN TANZANIA
Tip from Intrepid’s Africa Product Manager, Jenny:
Have an open thoughts! Lots of vacationers have this unrealistic expectation of seeing river crossings with 1000’s and 1000’s of wildebeest (and the odd crocodile) battling it out within the final scene from National Geographic! The migration is a pure phenomenon and no yr is similar because the final. That being mentioned, it’s magical!
Experience Tanzania’s most iconic parks below canvas with this 8-day journey or discover our full vary of adventures in Tanzania right here.
Safari in March to April
Herd of impalas in Kruger National Park
South Africa is just about your one cease store for every little thing an excellent African vacation is product of. It’s additionally extremely good worth. Consider heading there in March and April for nice climate and fewer crowds. These two summer time months fall within the nation’s moist season, however the rains actually do open the door to a number of the greatest wildlife-spotting alternatives.
Kruger National Park, the area’s most well-known National Park, not solely has the massive 5 (and extra!), however can be near the colourful, underrated metropolis of Johannesburg.
READ MORE: 6 REASONS WHY SOUTH AFRICA IS A DESTINATION WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
But any time is an efficient time to go to South Africa. Cape Town gives meals, wine, purchasing, dreamy views, and actions for all ages. Just outdoors it lies the favored wine area, situated on the Western Cape. You merely can’t go improper!
Tip from Intrepid’s Africa Product Manager, Jenny:
If you don’t need to sit in a automobile all day, our thrilling new lively itinerary is a good shout. It’s a 9-day biking and mountain climbing journey by South Africa, and allows you to hike Table Mountain, bike by Stellenbosh vineyard area, and a lot extra.
The climate is pretty temperate all through the complete yr right here so visiting in any season is an possibility, however it’s just a little rainier from June to September. Just a few months earlier than this time is scorching, however not too scorching.
The Simien Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is likely one of the greatest locations to go on a safari journey. The park’s sweeping mountains and deep valleys, the results of erosive exercise, are lined within the deep inexperienced of alpine forests. Animals dwelling within the park embody caracals, leopards, jackals, hyenas, bushbucks, klipspringers and tons of of species of birds. Safari-goers may additionally glimpse the speed Simien fox or Walia ibex.
Fall in love with Ethiopia on this wonderful 15-day journey or discover our vary of small group adventures in Ethiopia right here.
Etosha National Park, Namibia. Image by Rebecca Dannock.
The wildlife viewing alternatives within the desert-filled nation of Namibia would possibly shock (and delight) you. Many completely different African animals have tailored to stay within the harsh-but-beautiful Namib, a coastal desert. Herds of elephants traverse the desert, as do several types of antelope, zebra and even lions. Outside the desert, March might be humid and wet, however April tends to be drier. The rains that fall early within the yr make a lot of the nation verdant in April.
Safari in May to June
May and June are winter months in Madagascar, however the island’s proximity to the equator means nice temperatures through the coolest months of the yr. You’ll additionally see notably lush landscapes in May and June, and these two months are thought of a part of the off-season; there received’t be throngs of vacationers.
READ MORE: 8 REASONS WHY MADAGASCAR SHOULD BE ON YOUR BUCKET LIST
For the daring traveler who craves distinctive experiences, Madagascar is an important vacation spot. The island is wealthy in wildlife with tons of of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. The majority of the wildlife in Madagascar are endemic – they stay naturally nowhere else in the complete world. Take a safari to glimpse lemurs swinging by the timber and the masters of disguise, chameleons.
Experience the undiscovered island of Madagascar on this magical 16-day journey or try our full vary of adventures right here.
18-month previous lioness in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, May is a transitional month with parts of each moist and dry seasons. The latest rains depart the land trying lush and inexperienced, however because the month progresses the climate turns into drier and the nighttime temperatures start to drop. Come June, the times are heat and nice, whereas the nights are chilly. This time of yr is the height season for safaris. The drier climate attracts animals to the nation’s rivers and watering holes. Keep a glance out for lions, leopards, rhinos, zebras, elephants and extra.
Safari in July to August
July and August are proper within the midst of Rwanda’s dry season (which takes place from June by to September). These two months are extremely popular for reserving gorilla trekking adventures due to the clear skies and sunny situations. The gorillas stay in Rwanda’s rainforests, primarily throughout the bounds of Volcanoes National Park. Here, you can even see chimpanzees and colobus monkeys dwelling among the many timber. Keep in thoughts that gorilla habitat is, by default, very moist and you may’t keep away from rain utterly. However, after heavy rain, the skies typically confide in vivid sunshine.
The permits are a flat value yr spherical and simply final week received hiked up from $750USD to $1500USD efficient instantly. Luckily, Intrepid have pre-purchased permits on our group journeys which implies we’re capable of honor present 2017 costs. So, when is one of the best time to go? Now, earlier than it will get too costly!
Go gorilla trekking in Rwanda (and a lot extra!) on this epic 16-day journey.
Hippos in Moremi Game Reserve
The Okavango Delta, Moremi and Chobe are amongst Botswana’s hottest parks and animal-spotting locations. The greatest time to go to them is from May to September, through the dry season and winter, which leads to extra average temperatures.
PHOTO ESSAY: WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE ON AN INTREPID SAFARI IN BOTSWANA
There can be much less vegetation throughout these months, so animals have a tendency to pay attention round waterholes and rivers, making wildlife simpler to identify. The Okavango Delta can be in full flood then. The skies are clear, rain is uncommon and there are fewer mosquitoes. It does get chilly at night time and within the mornings, so packing heat winter clothes throughout June, July and August for the chilly morning recreation drives is advisable.
Check out the highlights of Botswana on this life-changing 9-day journey or discover our vary of adventures right here.
Safari in September to October
There is a few gentle rainfall in September and October, however these two months are nonetheless a part of the dry season in Ghana. You received’t have to fret about heavy rains inflicting flooding or journey delays. Birdwatchers will love taking a cover tour by Kakum National Park – you’ll be able to spot guinea fowl, African gray parrots and lots of different sorts of birds flitting by the timber. The nationwide park can be residence to forest elephants, civets, leopards, pangolins, a wide range of monkeys and extra.
Other wildlife hotspots embody the Ankasa Rain Forest, the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary and Mole National Park.
Cheetah siblings within the Maasai Mara
With greater than 40 nationwide parks and reserves, Kenya is a dream vacation spot for safaris. This nation attracts vacationers year-round, however September and October have sure benefits. These months are a part of the dry season and the climate can be cooler. During these months, you can even catch the long-lasting Masai Mara migration (information right here). The mass motion of those animals will entice bigger predators, together with lions.
Visit some of Kenya’s most interesting recreation parks (and see the Big 5) on this 8-day journey. Check out our full vary of adventures in Kenya right here.
September heralds the start of springtime in Eswatini, a reasonably dry time of yr. Hlane Royal National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve are concept locations for safari-goers who need to get near animals like elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and lions. In addition to those huge mammals, Eswatini can be residence to zebras, a wide range of antelope, giraffes, tons of of chook species and extra.
Hit up Eswatini’s wonders (and South Africa) on this 9-day ‘Kruger and Coast’ journey.
Safari in November to December
IVORY COAST
November and December are the primary two months of the nice and cozy and dry season in Ivory Coast. The temperate climate and minimal rainfall are perfect for vacationers. And Taï National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is ideal for wildlife seekers. The park protects a tropical rainforest and its inhabitants embody chimpanzees, pygmy hippos, leopards, colobus monkeys, flying squirrels, two species of bat, a wide range of birds and way more.
This epic 28-day journey covers 4 nations in West Africa, lovely Ivory Coast included.
Let’s face it, who doesn’t need to go mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda? If you do, it’s most likely price heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a rainforest that just about half of the world’s mountain gorilla inhabitants name residence. The peak interval to journey tends to be June by to September when skies are clear, there’s much less rain and extra sunshine. BUT touring within the off-season of November is a good alternative to benefit from aggressive costs, together with permits that are nearly half the worth. (Permits in Uganda are seasonal, versus Rwanda’s year-round flat value ones.)
This low seasons additionally takes place in March and April and the pay-off is nicely price it. Why? Well, as Jenny, Intrepid’s Africa Product Manager places it, “Without the crowds you could find yourself trekking the gorillas with as little as 2 or 3 other people”. She provides that “it’s unlikely to rain all day. You’ll get a downpour at some stage each day, or even light rain on and off, but there are plenty of blue sky days as well.”
Explore the Ugandan rainforest and extra on this unbelievable 21-day journey.
Or, in the event you’re pressed for time, try this 4-day gorilla shortbreak in Uganda.
A notice on the wet season – don’t dismiss it!
Generally distinguished because the off-season in Africa, the ‘green season’ is characterised by frequent rains. It’s an important possibility for vacationers who can stay with a little bit of rain, and a bit extra of a problem with regards to animal recognizing. The vegetation is thick, and the grass excessive making wildlife more durable to identify, and water is loads so that you don’t get lots of animals congregating round waterholes.
What you do get is unbelievable, lush, inexperienced landscapes. Most animals give beginning in the beginning of wet season so you will note loads of newborns. It’s additionally a chook lovers paradise with flowers in bloom and lots of migratory birds arriving again within the space from so far as Asia or Europe. The Serengeti and Masai Mara could also be residence to the world’s largest annual migration however inexperienced season Botswana hosts a part of the longest recorded migration! Thousand’s of Burchell’s zebras cowl greater than 500km in a straight line throughout Namibia and Botswana.
It actually is a good possibility for these second time guests to Africa who’ve been there, achieved that, seen the Big 5 and need to expertise one thing ‘different’. Some locations like Botswana particularly seem like a wholly completely different place from one season to the opposite and it’s fairly wonderful to see each ends of the spectrum, and you will get some unbelievable financial savings for touring presently of yr. For instance, journey on our new Okavango Delta Fly-in Safari in off-season and you possibly can be saving your self about $1500USD per particular person (versus excessive season).
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Ready to discover Africa by safari? Check out our big selection of small group journeys there.
