Best time to visit Southern Africa

Safaris in southern Africa in February are not as great as other months. However, February is a great time for a Cape Town holiday. It is warm and sunny making for an excellent African holiday destination or potentially if you have a lot of time and budget, to combine with an East Africa tour.

In March, Mozambique’s rainy season ends, but the weather remains sunny and pleasant for lounging on the beach, snorkelling and scuba diving .This is also the best time of year to view green turtles breeding on the beaches. 

Botswana, like most of Africa, is in transition in March. Because this is the ‘low season’ for Botswana safaris, several camps in the Okavango Delta have amazing ‘off-season’ deals. 

The Makgadikgadi Pans are packed with zebras in early March, and the flat terrain makes game viewing easy. This month marks the start of their annual trek back to the Okavango Delta. Which involves half of the Okavango Delta’s zebra population migrating on a 500km round trip to the lush grasslands of Makgadikgadi.

March is also a great time of year to explore Cape Town, the winelands, cultural events, and natural vistas! Combine this with a Kruger National Park safari for some amazing wildlife spotting opportunities.

April brings a sense of renewal to southern Africa. The heavy rains of late summer ease, leaving behind lush landscapes, clear skies, and fresh bursts of wildlife activity. For travellers seeking a quieter, more intimate safari, this is one of the most rewarding times of year – when the bush is alive with colour, yet the crowds are still months away.

Weather in April

In April, much of southern Africa transitions from the green season into the early dry months. Days are warm but not sweltering, and nights are comfortably cool – ideal for long game drives and evenings by the fire. Rivers and waterholes remain full, sustaining wildlife across the region. While some areas may still have patches of mud or standing water, this makes for striking photographic contrasts and easy wildlife tracking.

*Temperature ranges and rainfall can vary significantly across southern Africa’s vast and diverse landscapes, so these averages should be considered as a general guide.

Destinations to Visit in Southern Africa During April

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

A private concession next to Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands is a Big Five habitat and known for its excellent big cat sightings. In April, the rainy season is tapering off; the landscape is still lush and green and you may spot newborn animals around. This is an ideal time of the year for birdwatching – go on nature walks in the reserve to check off a range of species on your list, including northern hemisphere migratory birds.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

The greenery makes April a haven for birdwatchers, with migratory species still present before their long journey north. This month is on the cusp of high season – a Chobe safari at this time of the year can be a more serene journey with fewer crowds along the riverfront.

Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

In April, the Namib-Naukluft National Park experiences a pleasant transition from the hot, wet season to the cooler, drier months. While rainfall is minimal, the occasional showers that may have fallen earlier in the year leave behind clear, dust-free air, which is fantastic for photography. The iconic red dunes are vibrant, and the dramatic landscapes of Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei are particularly striking against the clear blue skies.

Activities to Do in Southern Africa in April

• Game drives
• Birdwatching safaris
• Photography safaris
• Boat safaris
• Victoria Falls tours

Ready to see southern Africa in a new light? Start planning your tailor‑made safari for April today.

The best time to visit Kruger National Park is from May to September. During the driest months of the year, because this is the time that the animals most frequently gather around waterholes. This, along with the drier and sparse vegetation, makes finding the wildlife in Kruger a breeze.

Etosha National Park in Namibia is also best visited from May to October, when the dry environment receives little rain. That’s because the dry weather makes seeing lions, elephants, rhinos, and other animals super easy since they all need to drink from the watering holes. 

May marks the end of the rainy season in Mozambique. While May is warm, the humidity is lower than earlier in the year, making a Mozambique holiday super enjoyable. The calm, clear waters are great for water sports.

Travel to Mauritius for an island holiday in May for decreased humidity and warmer sunny weather. Summer is over and the cooler temperature makes lounging on the beach a pleasure.

The Okavango Delta’s dry season begins in June, when animals come to the Delta in pursuit of water, making for superb wildlife viewing. The weather is pleasant, and there are less mosquitoes this time of year which makes for the perfect Okavango Delta Safari. 

June also marks the start of winter in South Africa and the northern wildlife reserves’ peak season for game viewing. As the grass dries in the South African bush, the wildlife becomes easier to find which is perfect when on Safari in South Africa.

In June, all wilderness camps in Zambia open their doors to guests for safari. The effects of the green season can still be felt, and wildlife is plentiful. Plus, several camps are providing discounted rates in June, making a Zambia safari relatively affordable.

In Zimbabwe, on the other hand, the dry season encourages animals to gather near waterholes and rivers, resulting in excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for your safari in Zimbabwe. In addition to that, the Victoria Falls are at their most powerful in June too and the best view of the falls can be seen from the Zimbabwean side.

July is a time when the wild feels vast and untamed, yet every sighting seems closer and more intimate. The rains are long gone, leaving behind golden grasses and clear skies – the dry conditions drive wildlife to gather around the last remaining precious water sources.

Botswana’s safari destinations are spectacular at this time of the year, especially the Okavango Delta where the waterways flood with water from the Angola highlands, opening up opportunities for mokoro safaris.

Weather in July

This is the heart of the dry season – with virtually no rain – and one of the most reliable months for unforgettable game viewing. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s the absolute peak of safari season in southern Africa.

July brings cool mornings, sunny days, and crisp evenings under a blanket of stars. It’s the middle of the dry season, which means fewer mosquitoes, excellent road conditions for game drives, and long, clear days perfect for photography.

*Temperature ranges and rainfall can vary significantly across southern Africa’s vast and diverse landscapes, so these averages should be considered as a general guide.

Destinations to Visit in Southern Africa During July

Greater Kruger Ecosystem, South Africa

Private reserves that share unfenced borders with Kruger, such as Sabi Sands and Timbavati, are perfect for wildlife sightings and luxury safari experiences. Opulent lodges dot these private conservancies and take a South African safari to another level. In the middle of the dry season, wildlife sightings will be superb. The Greater Kruger is known for its big cat safaris to see cheetahs, lions, and leopards. Big Five safaris can be enjoyed here.

Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Located in the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is an excellent choice for a July Botswana safari. Go on mokoro rides (traditional canoe safaris) through the thriving waterways to spot species such as the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope and slaty egret.

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa is best visited in the dry season, when the vegetation thins out and the diversity of wildlife is easily spotted during game drives and walking safaris. July sees little to no rain – the clear days are perfect for going on adventures to see leopards, lions, hyenas, and roan antelopes, all present in the park.

Activities to Do in Southern Africa in July

• Mokoro excursions in the Okavango Delta
• Game drives
• Night drives in private conservancies
• Walking safaris
• Desert safaris in Namibia and South Africa
• Big Five safaris

Whether you’re picturing a private safari villa overlooking a waterhole, a mokoro journey through the Okavango, or a multi‑country adventure across southern Africa’s greatest reserves, we’ll craft an itinerary designed entirely around you.

Travel to Namaqualand in northwestern South Africa in late August to witness spectacular displays of wild spring flowers carpeting the arid semi-desert landscape.

In August, Namibia Safaris are the most popular. Animals gather in great numbers near the few water sources in Namibia, making wildlife viewing easy and predatory action a common occurrence.

Tourist numbers in Zambia and Zimbabwe can stay high in September since wildlife watching on safari is still considered peak. 

Water and plants become scarce in September due to months without rain and rising temperatures. Because of their water requirement, animals gather in huge groups, creating an exciting predator-prey encounter. Making a Zambia Safari and Zimbabwe Safari in September ideal. 

October is the grand finale of southern Africa’s dry season – a time when the wilderness feels raw and untamed and the land is aching for rain. As the last of the waterholes shrink, wildlife gathers in dramatic concentrations, creating some of the most intense and rewarding game‑viewing opportunities of the year.

The bush is dry, but the sheer abundance of wildlife and the atmosphere of anticipation before the rains make October one of the most thrilling months for safari.

Weather in October

October brings rising temperatures, with long, sun‑soaked days. The tail‑end of the dry season is still characterised by sparse vegetation, making epic animal sightings easier and more frequent.

And, while the heat can be intense in places like Zambia and Botswana, many luxury lodges offer cooling pools, shaded decks, and flexible schedules to keep you relaxed and refreshed between adventures.

Meanwhile, in South Africa, regions like the Drakensberg Mountains provide cooler escapes paired with breathtaking montane scenery – without the biting cold of winter.

*Temperature ranges and rainfall can vary significantly across southern Africa’s vast and diverse landscapes, so these averages should be considered as a general guide.

Destinations to Visit in Southern Africa During October

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

During October – one of the hottest months in Zimbabwe – many animals can be seen enjoying the last remaining water sources in the area: the permanent Mana Pools. This means game drives and walking safaris can be extremely rewarding at this time of the year.

This park is well-loved among safari enthusiasts for elephants that stand on their hind legs to reach acacia tree pods in the higher branches – a very unique sighting!

Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

October is one of the best months to visit Gorongosa National Park, a conservation and rewilding success story. It’s definitely a hidden gem in the safari world, as visitor numbers are far less than more popular southern Africa parks. If you want to get off the well-trodden tourist path for your next African adventure, this is the place for you.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

This is the last month of the dry season in the Okavango Delta, the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Moremi Game Reserve within the delta offers Big Five safaris (although rhinos are rare). Khwai is a perfect addition to a Botswana safari – here you have the chance to see endangered wild dogs among other species.

Tip: Choose a lodge next to a permanent water source for an Okavango Delta safari in October as these accommodations are more likely to offer mokoro excursions this late in the year.

Activities to Do in Southern Africa in October

• Game drives
• Night drives in private conservancies
• Walking safaris
• Big Five safaris
• Boat cruises
• Photographic safaris

Ready for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime October safari? Let us design a journey that goes beyond the ordinary.

Explore the beaches of Cape Town and the Garden Route on a South Africa holiday as the weather warms up for the beginning of summer and before the Christmas holiday crowds descend on the country. 

A Botswana Safari in November is the end of the dry season. The camps are cheaper and the reserves are less crowded. Wildlife is easy to find, but temperatures and humidity are rising.

If you don’t mind crowds on the beaches, December is a great time to visit Cape Town, the Eastern Cape, or the magnificent KwaZulu-Natal coast on an adventurous South African holiday.

In December, hundreds of zebras migrate to the Kalahari Desert in Botswana for new pastures. This time of year, this parched region becomes a beautiful wonderland.