Best time to visit Africa
From August to early November, southern right whales can be seen from the shores of Hermanus in South Africa.
The best time to visit Africa shifts from south to east to north, depending on rainfall and wildlife. You can find somewhere for a beach holiday year-round, but most people go for the exceptional wildlife. In Kruger National Park, the winter dry season falls between May and October when game viewing is at its best, but to catch East Africa’s Great Migration, you’ll need to travel between June and early September. Gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is year-round, but Jan-Feb and June-Sept are much cooler months.
South Africa Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
15
25
32
FEB
15
25
31
MAR
14
24
43
APR
12
22
82
MAY
10
19
136
JUN
8
17
189
JUL
8
17
164
AUG
8
17
163
SEP
9
18
96
OCT
10
20
61
NOV
12
22
40
DEC
14
24
43
Our Africa Holidays
Gorilla Safari & the Masai Mara
Superb safari and trip to see gorillas
From
£3799 to £5499
18 days
inc UK flights
Ten day wildlife safari, South Africa
Award winning wildlife safaris in South Africa
From
£2340 to £3300
10 days
ex flights
South Africa safari holiday, 14 days
Award winning safari in South Africa
From
£3720
14 days
ex flights
Botswana camping safaris
Botswana's premier game parks, Okavango Moremi Savuti Chobe
From
€1890
14 days
ex flights
Morocco holiday, Marrakech to the Sahara
Marrakech and Sahara - stay in a Riad, sleep under the stars
From
£625 to £695
7 days
ex flights
Namibia and Botswana safari holiday
Namibia & Botswana lodge safari Caprivi Etosha Okavango
From
€3480
21 days
ex flights
Uganda wildlife and activity holiday
Experience the Pearl of Africa...true African adventure!
From
US $4550
15 days
ex flights
Uganda gorilla tracking and wildlife safari holiday
A wonderful gorilla and wild life experience in Uganda
From
£1500
10 days
ex flights
Big game safari in Tanzania
Big game safari including luxury private camping
From
£3185 to £3605
8 days
ex flights
Botswana safari and Victoria Falls
An unforgettable wildlife and scenery experience
From
US $3853
11 days
ex flights
Gorilla and game safari in Uganda
The great Silverback Gorilla & wildlife all in one package!
From
US $3100
10 days
ex flights
Ethiopia holiday, tailormade
Discover the people, places and wildlife of Ethiopia
From
£2483
17 days
ex flights
Bwindi mountain gorilla tracking, Uganda
Fly to Bwindi Forest and Trek Uganda's Mountain Gorillas
From
US $2239
4 days
ex flights
Serengeti Trail, Kenya & Tanzania safari
Overland truck safari
From
£1152 to £1480
8 days
ex flights
Self drive South Africa holiday
Explore Cape Town, the Winelands and the Garden Route
From
£2300 to £4500
15 days
inc UK flights
Small group holidays to Madagascar
Experience the best of this enigmatic island continent
From
£2595 to £2965
17 days
ex flights
Complete Uganda holiday, tailor made
Gorillas, Chimpanzees, 6 National Parks and Jinja Adventure
From
US $6696
16 days
ex flights
Luxury trekking holiday in the Atlas Mountains
Stay at the Kasbah du Toubkal and trek in style
From
€957
6 days
ex flights
Cape Town to Victoria Falls holiday in South Africa
A spectacular and diverse African journey
From
£2549 to £4549
22 days
inc UK flights
Namibia and Botswana camping safari
Camping safari to Namib desert, Caprivi, Etosha & Okavango
From
€2480
21 days
ex flights
Uganda highlights & mountain gorillas tour
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking, Queen Elizabeth & Lake Mburo
From
US $3929
10 days
ex flights
Swaziland wildife and culture tour
Explore Swaziland, one of the smallest countries in Africa
From
£3345
12 days
ex flights
Sao Tome discovery tour
Explore the tropical paradise island of Sao Tomé
From
£1175
8 days
ex flights
Namibia small group guided holiday and safari
A fabulous small group guided trip in Nambia
From
£2935 to £3300
13 days
ex flights
Ivory Coast small group tour
Explore the little known but welcoming Ivory Coast
From
£2449
11 days
ex flights
Morocco cultural tour
Come and see Morocco's kaleidoscope of colours
From
£765 to £990
15 days
ex flights
Tanzania Selous safari holiday & Zanzibar
Off-the-beaten track safari experiences & paradise beaches
From
£1950
10 days
ex flights
Madagascar in depth, small group tour
Madagascar's unique wildlife and off the beaten track gems
From
£2975
21 days
ex flights
Madagascar North Coast adventure holiday
Action packed expedition through wild north east Madagascar
From
£2795
14 days
ex flights
Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach holiday, tailor made
Your tailor-made Tanzania safari & Zanzibar beach holiday
From
£3495 to £5950
13 days
ex flights
When to visit Africa and when not to
Southern Africa
Botswana, Namibia and South Africa: For game viewing, travel in the cool but dry months of July to October – or early November in Namibia - when wildlife clusters around the remaining waterholes. It can get busy, especially in hotspots such as Kruger – so book well ahead and expect higher prices. Animals disperse in the green season, from November to March, making it much harder to see – although there are more young animals present at this time.If you’re heading to Cape Town, the rain pattern is reversed – with the scorching months of November to March being the driest.
Zambia and Malawi are best visited from late May to November – particularly towards the end of this period, as waterholes virtually dry up and the warmer spring temperatures are creeping up. This is also the best time for a walking safari in Zambia. Some accommodation in remoter areas may close in soggy March – May.
Ethiopia
The best time to go to Ethiopia is in the dry months of September to April – and particularly in September to October, when the land is still fresher and greener. Timkat, the biggest Christian celebration here, takes place in January. Mountain regions should be avoided in the long wet season. Cool and damp year round, the long rains from June and July up to October (with rain starting as soon as March in the Bale Mountains) create poor conditions for trekking, and clouds and fog obscure the glorious views. August is the coolest and wettest month – but bring very warm layers whenever you travel. Bale in particular can drop below freezing at night.East Africa
In Kenya and Tanzania, the highlight is the Great Migration, best from July to October when the Mara River crossing takes place. Game is present all year, however, but the long rainy season in March to May (with the heaviest rains from April to May) is not the best time to visit as wildlife disperses and is hidden by vegetation, and rain can make roads impassable. However, there are some great deals available during this period, so it's worth considering if you're on a really tight budget. Be aware that Kilimanjaro climbs are risky in the wet season, and that afternoon downpours are heavier along the coast and islands. Some lodges in remoter southern Tanzania will close during this period.
For gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, be prepared if you are going during the rainy seasons of November, and from March to May – especially in Uganda, where treks usually take longer. It doesn’t rain all day every day, but comes in big bursts, and gorilla tracking permits may be heavily discounted – but if you aren’t a fan of rain, think about booking outside the rainy season.
For gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, be prepared if you are going during the rainy seasons of November, and from March to May – especially in Uganda, where treks usually take longer. It doesn’t rain all day every day, but comes in big bursts, and gorilla tracking permits may be heavily discounted – but if you aren’t a fan of rain, think about booking outside the rainy season.
Madagascar
Cyclones hit Madagascar in February, but changing weather patterns mean the cyclones are increasingly less predictable – so avoid January and even March to be on the safe side. October to December is baby lemur season.North Africa
Spring and autumn offer the best weather for walking and cycling holidays in Morocco – though expect dust storms in the desert from February to April. Avoid the Sahara in midsummer; temperatures will be much more pleasant on the coast.Our top Africa Holiday
Bwindi mountain gorilla tracking, Uganda
Fly to Bwindi Forest and Trek Uganda's Mountain Gorillas
From
US $2239
4 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Africa or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Responsible Travel recommends
Simon Mills, from our supplier Native Escapes, shares his advice on the best time to go to Africa:
“For such a large continent, there are a number of different weather patterns and differences across Africa. The main rule of thumb is that across Southern Africa (except the Cape region), the rains start towards the end of November and continue until March. The rest of the year is generally dry. In Cape Town and surrounds, June-September tends to be the wettest months. The rainy, or ‘green season’, is not a bad time of year to go on safari though. Granted, it will be warm and the bush will be greener, so the animals will be harder to spot, but that is where you guide/tracker earns their crust.”
“For such a large continent, there are a number of different weather patterns and differences across Africa. The main rule of thumb is that across Southern Africa (except the Cape region), the rains start towards the end of November and continue until March. The rest of the year is generally dry. In Cape Town and surrounds, June-September tends to be the wettest months. The rainy, or ‘green season’, is not a bad time of year to go on safari though. Granted, it will be warm and the bush will be greener, so the animals will be harder to spot, but that is where you guide/tracker earns their crust.”
Tom Harari, from our supplier Exodus, shares his advice on the best time to go to Africa:
“East Africa has two dry and two wet seasons. The big rains are around March/April whilst the small rains are in December. Southern Africa’s climate is more seasonal with spring, summer, autumn and winter. These are southern hemisphere seasons, however. Winter in South Africa during July/August can be cold and wet, and you may even see some snow in the Drakensberg Mountains. The most important wildlife event to be considered is the Great Migration in East Africa. Doing a loop around the Serengeti and Masai Mara, giant herds of wildebeest can be seen. The best time to see them in the Serengeti is the start of the year, whilst the best time to see them crossing the river into the Masai Mara is August to October, though it can vary from year to year.
“East Africa has two dry and two wet seasons. The big rains are around March/April whilst the small rains are in December. Southern Africa’s climate is more seasonal with spring, summer, autumn and winter. These are southern hemisphere seasons, however. Winter in South Africa during July/August can be cold and wet, and you may even see some snow in the Drakensberg Mountains. The most important wildlife event to be considered is the Great Migration in East Africa. Doing a loop around the Serengeti and Masai Mara, giant herds of wildebeest can be seen. The best time to see them in the Serengeti is the start of the year, whilst the best time to see them crossing the river into the Masai Mara is August to October, though it can vary from year to year.
Africa festivals & events
Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi
An international extravaganza of singing, dancing and a fair bit of ice-cold beer drinking too, the Lake of Stars is a three-night music festival that takes over the usually sleepy shores of Lake Malawi and injects them with an enormous dose of fun. You’ll see acts from all over the globe performing; you’ll learn to dance like you’ve never danced before; and you’ll come away with loads of new friends too.
More about Africa
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An African safari is the Holy Grail of wildlife travel, from witnessing the Big Five in the Ngorongoro Crater to watching the Wildebeest Migration.
Africa serves up some unforgettable wildlife spectacles, from the Great Migration, to some lesser known but thrilling gatherings.
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Canoe, hike and dive your way through some of Africa’s most special places, where wild adventures and iconic wildlife are guaranteed, and thousands of tourists are not.
Family holidays in Africa may be a daunting prospect for all but the most laid back travellers, but as long as you choose wisely, this could be the trip of a lifetime.
Travel experts from across the continent have shared their Africa travel advice with us.
Responsible tourism in Africa may seem like an overwhelming issue - but there are so many success stories here that there is plenty of hope for areas which aren't faring as well.
All our Africa guides. Find all of our Africa guides in one place, including guides on Botswana, Chad, the Serengeti and so much more.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Dave3006] [Intro: Christian Keller]
[East Africa: Make it Kenya]
[Simon Mills Quote: John O'Nolan]
[Lake of Stars Festival, Malawi: Casperntilo]
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