Best Time for African Safaris

African safaris take you on an adventure off the beaten tracks. Discover vast landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and close-up encounters with a wide range of unique wildlife species during the best time for African safaris. Before you start packing your favorite safari outfits, thinking and planning ahead for the time of the year to visit is important because it enhances your safari experience.

The Dry season

An African safari can be done all year round though the dry season is recommended, from June to September and December to February. Around this time of the year, you are most likely to spot a large number of animals wandering/ close to water sources and since the vegetation is thin and short, there is no obstruction when looking out for wildlife. During these months, wildlife viewing is at its peak, accommodation facilities are all booked up, therefore it is always advisable to book in advance, especially for activities such as; gorilla tracking.

In the dry season, expect warm temperatures during the day and chilly nights for most of the regions and National parks. The skies are clear with bright sunlight enabling you to capture vibrant pictures of wildlife and attractive landscapes. Please be aware that as much as you are visiting during the dry season, rain can be expected at any time during these months. Activities best done or suitable for this time of the year include visiting the gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda because it offers better surrounding conditions for tracking in the rain forests.

The Rainy season

The rainy seasons occur in two phases in the months of March to May and September to December. A safari in the rainy season is not as good as the dry season because there are lush grasslands that obstruct wildlife viewing and also the animals tend to move deep in the bushes, the paths within the national parks get muddy and slippery too.

Some passionate safari individuals regard the rainy season as the prime time to take on an African safari. This is due to the fact that the rainy season is a perfect time for photography with the beautiful green scenery, watching young ones being born (Calving season for the wildebeest), and birding where you get to sight a variety of migratory bird species. The rainy season is affordable and accommodation is at low prices with fewer people visiting during this time. Jewel safaris experts tailor safaris that satisfy your expectations and this depends on your interests and the time of the year you choose to visit.