Ontrack to Explore
Acacia trees scattered across golden savanna
When to go

Every destination, every month

Dry season is the safe answer and not always the best one. Calving in the Serengeti is February; Cape Town is summer; the Falls are fullest in April. One grid, no guessing.

Photo: Unsplash
DestinationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecWhy
KrugerokokokgoodbestbestbestbestbestgoodokokDry winter May–Sep: thin bush, animals at water. Summer is green and full of babies, but harder viewing.
Sabi Sand & private reservesgoodgoodgoodgoodbestbestbestbestbestbestgoodgoodOff-road driving keeps viewing strong year-round; winter still edges it.
Madikwe & PilanesbergokokgoodgoodbestbestbestbestbestgoodokokMalaria-free. Winter is best; summer is hot.
Cape TownbestbestbestgoodokokokokgoodgoodbestbestSummer Nov–Mar. Wet, windy winter, though whales arrive Jul–Nov.
Okavango DeltaokokokgoodgoodbestbestbestbestgoodokokFlood peaks Jun–Aug, wildlife concentrates. Green season is cheap and birdy but wet.
ChobeokokokgoodgoodbestbestbestbestbestokokElephants mass on the river Jul–Oct. October is hot.
EtoshaokokokokgoodbestbestbestbestbestokokWaterhole season Jun–Oct. Rains Jan–Mar scatter the game.
Namibia desert & coastgoodgoodgoodbestbestbestbestbestbestbestgoodgoodGood year-round; Apr–Oct is cooler and clearer.
Masai MaragoodgoodokokgoodgoodbestbestbestgoodokgoodMigration herds Jul–Oct, crossings Aug–Sep. Resident game is good all year.
Serengeti (south, calving)bestbestgoodokokokokokokokgoodbestCalving Jan–Feb on the southern plains: predators everywhere.
Serengeti (north, crossings)okokokokgoodgoodbestbestbestgoodokokHerds in the north Jul–Oct; Mara River crossings.
South Luangwa–––okgoodbestbestbestbestbestok–Walking season Jun–Oct. Many camps close in the rains.
Victoria FallsgoodbestbestbestbestgoodgoodgoodokokokgoodPeak water Feb–May (spray hides the view at its height); low water Sep–Nov for Devil's Pool.
HwangeokokokgoodgoodbestbestbestbestbestokokPumped waterholes make Aug–Oct extraordinary for elephant.
Mountain gorillasgoodgoodokokgoodbestbestbestbestokokgoodDrier trails Jun–Sep and Dec–Feb; treks run all year.
BestGoodOK, with trade-offsAvoid or closed

Three things the grid cannot show

Shoulder months are the bargain. April, May and November sit between seasons: prices drop 20 to 40 percent, camps are quiet, and the viewing is usually fine. If you are flexible, aim there.

School holidays matter more than weather. South African school holidays (late June to mid-July, late December) fill Kruger regardless of season. European summer fills East Africa in August.

Green season is a real safari. November to March is wet, hot and green, with newborn animals, dramatic skies and the best birding of the year. Viewing is harder, not worse.

Which safari is right for me?Compare countries
Sources and further readingOur country and park guides · Serengeti migration tracking, Tanzania National Parks
Checked October 2026. Entry rules, fees and seasons change; confirm with official sources before you book.
Giraffe silhouetted against a golden sky beneath an acacia tree
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