When Is the Best Time to Visit Africa? A Safari Expert’s Guide After 30 Years of Adventure

If you ask Google “When is the best time to visit Africa?” you’ll get a generic answer: August through October. But here’s the truth from someone who has been planning safaris since 1995 and has traveled to Africa in every month of the year:

There is no single “best time” to visit Africa — it depends entirely on the experience you want.

And in many cases, the shoulder seasons/green season offer richer wildlife encounters, fewer crowds, dramatic skies, baby animals, and better value.

This guide breaks down the real answer — the one I’ve learned over 30 years crafting bespoke journeys through East Africa, Southern Africa, and the Indian Ocean islands.

Quick Answer: Best Time to Visit Africa

• Overall best window: Late April – Late October

• Best value & fewer crowds: May – July and Early November – Mid December

• Best for wildlife: Year-round (truly — wildlife never disappears)

• Best weather for most travelers: May–July & September–October

• Worst time if you dislike rain: January–April

Now let’s go deeper — destination by destination — and explore why “best time” is more personal than universal.

The Myth of One “Best Time” to Visit Africa

Most travelers believe:

• “You must go between August and October.”

• “Green season means no wildlife.”

• “Rainy season = bad safari.”

• “High grass = can’t see animals.”

These are myths.

I’ve been on safari every month of the year and have never once had a trip where I didn’t see the Big 5 or have incredible wildlife interactions. Africa doesn’t shut down for part of the year.

What changes are:

• Grass height

• Temperatures

• Crowds

• Colors of the landscape

• Pricing

• Baby animal sightings

And all of these can enhance the experience depending on what you want.

Dry Season vs. Green Season: What Most Blogs Don’t Tell You

Dry Season (Aug – Oct)

• Low grasses, easier animal sightings

• Popular for a reason — great game viewing

• Also the busiest and most expensive time to visit

• Expect more safari vehicles "queue to view," especially around big-cat sightings

Green Season (Nov – April)

• Lush landscapes, dramatic skies, and baby animals

• Cooler early morning and evening temperatures

• Fewer mosquitos (contrary to popular belief)

• Exceptional photography conditions

• A feeling of being alone in the wilderness

Shoulder Season (May – July & Oct – Dec) — My Favorite

This is the sweet spot where everything comes together:

• Fantastic wildlife

• Fewer crowds

• Pleasant temperatures

• Lower rates at luxury camps

• More exclusivity on game drives

One of my repeat clients — a woman who has traveled with her husband and adult children on four safaris — only travels in shoulder season because she prefers:

• No crowds

• Private sightings

• No “queue to view”

• Freedom to follow wildlife off-road in private reserves

She says it’s the only time where she feels the bush is hers alone.

East Africa: Best Time to Visit (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda)

Overall Best Time: Late April – October

Why East Africa Works Year-Round

East Africa has resident wildlife in huge numbers plus migratory herds. You can see:

• Lions

• Elephants

• Buffalos

• Leopards

• Cheetahs

• Giraffes

• Hippos

• Rhinos

Any month of the year.

The Great Migration — The Real Insider Explanation

The migration is a year-round circular movement of nearly 2 million wildebeest and zebras through:

• Serengeti

• Masai Mara

People obsess over “river crossings,” but they’re unpredictable and not the only highlight.

I create itineraries that follow the migration — meaning my travelers often:

• Camp with herds grazing nearby

• Fall asleep hearing wildebeest snorting under the stars

• Experience the migration without chasing one specific moment

Calving Season

Late January – March (with some variation)This is when:

• Thousands of baby wildebeest are born

• Predators are highly active

• Photographers get their dream shots

Shoulder Season Magic in East Africa

April – June and Oct – Dec

Expect:

• Green landscapes

• Baby animals

• Dramatic sunsets

• Fewer tourists

• Lower rates

• Cooler temperatures

This is some of the best wildlife viewing I’ve ever experienced.

Southern Africa: Best Time to Visit (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia)

Overall Best Time: Late April – October

Southern Africa is known for:

• Private reserves

• Off-road driving

• Close-up wildlife encounters

• Unfenced camps

• Exceptional guides

• Vehicle exclusivity

Why Southern Africa Is Amazing in Shoulder Season

The experience is more intimate. One morning in Kruger, a leopard walked within pouncing distance of my open vehicle — so close the guide shifted forward for safety. Encounters like this define Southern Africa: fewer crowds, closer wildlife.

Botswana & the Okavango Delta

Best Time: May – July

But water levels change dramatically:

• On wet years, the Delta may be too flooded for walking safaris

• On dry years, water levels can be too low for mokoro rides

This is why personalized planning is essential.

Victoria Falls

Two different personalities depending on season:

Thunderous, Soaking, Raincoat Required:

May – July

Best for Photography (Less Spray):

August – December

In drier years, the best view is from the Zambian side.

Kruger & Private Reserves

Best Time: Late April – Early November

But it is excellent year-round thanks to:

• Open savannas

• High predator populations

• Private concessions allowing off-road tracking

Cape Town

Best Time: Late October – April (warmer & less rain)

But I’ve had gorgeous, warm days in June and July too.

Whale Season:

October – November

Expect:

• Breaching

• Flipper waves

• Tail slaps

• Mothers and calves in protected bays

The Best Time to Visit Africa by Traveler Type

Because every safari is different, I tailor itineraries based on:

Honeymooners

• Shoulder season for privacy

• Romantic weather

• Fewer vehicles at sightings

Families

• June – August (school holidays + fantastic weather)

Photographers

• Green season for dramatic skies & baby animals

• Dry season for clear visibility

Luxury Travelers

• Shoulder season for premium camps at better prices

Adventure Travelers

• Delta water activities

• Walking safaris

• Hot Air Balloon Safaris (dependent on permits, group size & weather conditions)

Every traveler has a different version of “best time,” which is why I create fully customized itineraries based on climate, wildlife behavior, personal comfort, and seasonal affordability.

The Real Answer: The Best Time to Visit Africa Is When the Experience Fits You

After 30 years crafting bespoke safaris, here’s my honest answer:

Africa is extraordinary in every season. The best time is the time that matches the experience you want.

If you want:

• Baby animals & green landscapes: Go March – June

• Cool mornings & mild days: Go May – July

• Classic dry-season safaris: Go August – October

• Whales, wine, and Cape Town summers: Go Oct – April

• Value, privacy, fewer crowds: Go May – July or Nov – mid-Dec

And if you want a fully tailored recommendation, that’s where I come in — with three decades of planning, on-the-ground partners, and firsthand seasonal knowledge.

Ready to Plan Your African Adventure?

Whether you're dreaming of:

• The Serengeti

• Kruger

• Maasai Mara

• The Okavango Delta

• Victoria Falls

• Cape Town

• Zanzibar

• Namibia’s dunes

• A multi-country “best of Africa” journey

…I’ll craft your itinerary based on your ideal experience and the season that will make it unforgettable.

After 30 years of planning Africa trips, I have never sent a traveler at the “wrong time.” Only the right time for them.