When to Go on Safari
Peak Season
The dry season is synonymous with the peak season and is prime time to view wildlife. The availability of water becomes scarce which results in large concentrations of animals near waterholes and rivers. Additionally, the vegetation has dried out, allowing for greater success at spotting animals. It is also the best time of year to do a walking safari.
Wildlife patterns can be a major catalyst that influences visitation and rates at camps and safari lodges. The Great Wildebeest Migration is the perfect example. You can find the migration any month of the year.
The above are the busiest times for the industry and it is reflected in the rates, which are at their highest. Because of the popularity of the season, I prefer to book small camps located in exclusive areas to avoid the chaos of too many safari vehicles jockeying for position at a prime wildlife viewing opportunity.
Shoulder Season
The shoulder season represents a transition from one season to the next; from dry to green, green to dry, a change in temperature (usually to the hottest time of year), or movement of wildlife. Rates fall somewhere between the highs of the dry season and the lows of the green season.
This time of year is perfect for those who do not want to pay peak season rates, but want to maximize opportunities to spot game during a less crowded time in the bush.
Our favorite shoulder season destination is Kenya, especially in the Masai Mara region from January to March. Incredible big cat sightings and an explosion of baby animals.
If you do not mind the heat, another good shoulder season destination is Botswana in November and December. With a change in climate, rains are coming a little later thus lengthening the dry season with concentrations of animals still high.
Green Season
The green season, also referred to as the rainy season, is the least busy time of year. Many equate the rainy season with the monsoons of Southeast Asia. This is not the case. Though periods of heavy rainfall can happen daily, storms pass quickly and give way to beautiful skies with incredible clarity. No dust!!! Some guides I’ve worked with absolutely prefer the green season; less people, a colorful array of birds in breeding plumage, photography enhanced by a lush landscape, and plenty of wildlife to see. Many animals give birth this time of year to take advantage of the bounty of new grasses.
The rates during the green season are significantly lower than the peak and shoulder seasons. For the camps and lodges that remain open, a visitor can expect an unhurried, less crowded, and exceptionally intimate encounter with nature.
Best Wildlife Viewing by Month
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January
Botswana: Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan, Central Kalahari, and the Okavango Delta
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve and the Masai Mara Conservancies
Tanzania: Southeast Serengeti Wildebeest Migration and Ngorongoro Crater
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February
Botswana: Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan, Central Kalahari, and select areas in the Okavango Delta
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve and the Masai Mara Conservancies
Tanzania: Southeast Serengeti Wildebeest Migration and Ngorongoro Crater
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March
Botswana: Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan, Central Kalahari, and select areas in the Okavango Delta
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve and the Masai Mara Conservancies
Tanzania: Southeast Serengeti Wildebeest Migration and Ngorongoro Crater
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April
Botswana: Makgadikgadi Pan, Nxai Pan, Central Kalahari, and select areas in the Okavango Delta region
Tanzania: Southeast Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
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May
Botswana: The Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Pan
Tanzania: Western Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
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June
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Linyanti/Kwando/Selinda, and Chobe/Savute
Tanzania: Western Serengeti Wildebeest Migration and the Ngorongoro Crater
Zambia: South Luangwa
Zimbabwe: Mana Pools and Hwange
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July
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Linyanti/Kwando/Selinda, and Chobe/Savute
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve Wildebeest Migration, Masai Mara Conservancies, Amboseli/ol Donyo, Tsavo, and Laikipia
Tanzania: Western Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains
Zambia: South and North Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
Zimbabwe: Mana Pools and Hwange
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August
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Linyanti/Kwando/Selinda, and Chobe/Savute
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve Wildebeest Migration, Masai Mara Conservancies, Amboseli/ol Donyo, Tsavo, and Laikipia
Tanzania: Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains
Zambia: South and North Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
Zimbabwe: Mana Pools and Hwange
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September
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Linyanti/Kwando/Selinda, and Chobe/Savute
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve Wildebeest Migration, Masai Mara Conservancies, Amboseli/ol Donyo, Tsavo, and Laikipia
Tanzania: Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains
Zambia: South and North Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
Zimbabwe: Mana Pools and Hwange
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October
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Linyanti/Kwando/Selinda, and Chobe/Savute
Kenya: Masai Mara Reserve Wildebeest Migration, Masai Mara Conservancies, Amboseli/ol Donyo, Tsavo, and Laikipia
Tanzania: Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Ruaha, Nyerere, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains
Zambia: South and North Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
Zimbabwe: Mana Pools and Hwange
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November
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Linyanti/Kwando/Selinda, and Chobe/Savute
Tanzania: Northern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Ruaha, Nyerere
Zambia: South Luangwa
Zimbabwe: Hwange
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December
Botswana: The Okavango Delta, Central Kalahari, Nxai Pan, and Makgadikgadi Pan
Tanzania: Southeastern Serengeti Wildebeest Migration, Ngorongoro Crater