When to Go on Safari: Seasons by Region

Last checked 15 October 2026.

There is no single best month for a safari. Each region has its own seasons, and the right time depends on what you most want to see, how you feel about rain and crowds, and when you are able to travel. This guide sets out the seasons for each region we travel to, so you can match your dates to the journey.

Planning for peak season? See safari in July and August.

Planning a first trip? See where to go on your first safari.

East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania

June to October: the long dry season. Grass is short, animals gather near water and game viewing is at its most reliable. This is also when the Great Migration is usually in the Maasai Mara and northern Serengeti, with river crossings most often seen from July to September. It is the busiest and most expensive time, so book early.
December to March: a second dry spell, warm and green. From January to March the herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu for the calving season, when predator action is intense.
November: the short rains, usually brief afternoon showers. Fewer visitors and lower rates.
April and May: the long rains. Some camps close, roads can be difficult, and the rewards are lush landscapes, newborn animals and very few other vehicles.

The Migration follows the rain rather than the calendar, so its position varies from year to year. See our Great Migration safaris.

Gorilla trekking: Rwanda and Uganda

Gorillas can be seen all year. The drier months, from June to September and from December to February, make the forest trails less muddy and are the most popular. Permits are limited each day, so for these months we recommend securing them as early as possible. Trekking in the wetter months is perfectly possible with good boots and rain gear.

Southern Africa

May to October: the dry winter season in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa’s Kruger region. Game viewing improves steadily as the bush thins, and peaks from August to October. Early mornings and evenings can be cold, so bring warm layers.
November to April: the green season. Hotter, with afternoon storms, newborn animals and superb birdlife, at lower rates. Some remote camps close in the wettest months.
Okavango Delta: the annual flood usually peaks in the middle of the dry season, from around June to August, which is the best time for mokoro and boating.
Victoria Falls: the falls are at their fullest from around March to May, when the spray can hide the view. From September to December the flow drops, particularly on the Zambian side, and the rock face becomes more visible.

South Africa’s Cape

Cape Town and the Winelands are at their best in the warm, dry summer from November to March. Winter, from June to August, brings rain to the Cape but is the time to see southern right whales along the coast, usually from July to November.

Islands: Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius

Zanzibar pairs well with East Africa in the same dry months, from June to October and December to February. The Seychelles can be visited all year; the calmest seas are usually in the changeover months of April and May and October and November. Mauritius is pleasant all year, with the warmest weather from November to April.

The Americas

Costa Rica: the dry season runs from December to April. The green season, from May to November, brings afternoon rain and fewer visitors.
Peru: the dry season in the Andes, from May to September, is the best time for Machu Picchu and Cusco. The Inca Trail closes each February for maintenance.
Galápagos: good all year. From December to May the sea is warmer and calmer; from June to November the water is cooler and richer in marine life.

Planning around school holidays and Ramadan

Summer school holidays in the Gulf, Europe and North America fall in the peak season for East and Southern Africa, so the best camps fill early. For July and August we recommend booking nine to twelve months in advance. If you are planning around Ramadan or Eid, let us know early so we can plan the right destination and pace for those dates.

Health planning

Whatever the season, check the yellow fever requirements for your route, and speak to your doctor about malaria prevention. Malaria risk in many safari areas is higher during and after the rains.

For visas, packing and everything else to arrange before you travel, see Before You Travel. If you are weighing up dates, we would be pleased to begin with a conversation.

Seasons describe typical patterns. Weather and wildlife movements vary from year to year.