Planning the perfect safari – Where to visit and when

Our team of Travel experts have mapped out what a full year on safari could look like with their guide to an African safari – where to visit and when to go.

Africa and the Indian Ocean offer sunny skies and incredible wildlife no matter the season. Here, we share some of our favourite destinations and highlight the best times to visit iconic safari spots. From the vast savannahs of Zimbabwe and Botswana to Madagascar’s lush rainforests, every month has its own perfect destination. Whether you dream of witnessing the Great Migration, trekking with mountain gorillas, or spotting Madagascar’s captivating lemurs, timing is key to ensuring an unforgettable adventure.

African safari – where to visit and when – a month-by-month guide

January – A magical time to enjoy superb wildlife in Kenya’s extensive reserves. The Masai Mara is excellent and less visited at this time of year, the whole country offers fascinating culture and fabulous beaches – think about adding gorilla tracking in Rwanda and Uganda for the ultimate East African adventure.

I have designed the perfect 5 day gorilla trekking holiday to Volcanoes Safaris’ Virunga Lodge in Rwanda and 8 day adventure to Uganda for chimp trekking followed by time with the majestic mountain gorillas.  Seeing primates up close is a memory that will stay with you forever.

Incredible wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara. Saruni Eagle View

February –  This may be the month of love but if scaling Mount Kilimanjaro is on your bucket list this is a perfect time of year, and don’t miss a few days on Zanzibar afterwards to celebrate your achievement. Head to the Serengeti and you’ll see the wildebeest beginning to calve on the southern plains.  I recommend a journey to a remote corner of Tanzania: Greystoke Camp in the Mahale Mountains for unforgettable close encounters with chimps and an off-grid experience.
 9-day Western Tanzania Adventure.

The wildlife comes to you at Singita Serengeti House

March – Go to the Kruger National Park, or one of the adjacent private reserves, where you’ll find an exceptionally beautiful region that is home to a treasure trove of wildlife; an essential part of any South African safari. Combine it with the Cape area, still warm in the autumn sunshine, for a sophisticated safari experience. Robyn has crafted the ultimate South African itinerary that encompasses it all.
South Africa 11 day safari.

The Kruger and adjacent private reserves are home to a plethora of wildlife. Chitwa Chitwa 

April – If summer still seems a long way off, then how about a change of scene in Namibia’s stunning desert? Take a flying safari and you get the highlights of this extraordinary country in just a few days. For a more leisurely approach it’s a great place to try a self-drive safari. Francis has designed the ultimate guided Namibian adventure. Explore Sossusvlei’s magnificent red dunes and white salt pan and track desert adapted rhinos and elephants. This safari gives you the best perspective of an incredibly diverse and expansive country.
Namibia 12 day safari

Iconic desert scenery in Namibia. Wolwedans Desert Lodge

May – The start of the dry season in Zimbabwe heralds superb wildlife viewing in some of Africa’s most beautiful wildlife parks. You’ll find a huge range of adventurous activities and as many styles of accommodation. It is also a great time to visit the Victoria Falls with the flow at its peak. Mana Pools National Park is one of Francis’ favourite safari destinations. A haven for wildlife and a magnet for the adventurous, this is a great place to explore by canoe and on foot. He has compiled a 11 day safari in Hwange National Park famed for the huge population of elephants.

Inquisitive elephants of Zimbabwe. Nyamatusi Camp

June – The Zambian safari season gets underway and now’s the time to enjoy a walking or canoe safari. Travelling at a gentle pace you get a completely different view of the animals and their daily routines. Home to some favourite lodges with  everything from rustic bush experiences to tip top luxury. Works well combined with a bit of R&R on the shores of Lake Malawi. Emily visited here in October last year and has created a holiday that includes her favourite camps, Chongwe River Camp and Mchenja where she experienced some incredible lion and leopard sightings. Zambia 9 day safari

Zambia is an all round safari destination and a great choice for a walking safari. Kaingo Camp

July – A stunning time to visit Botswana with the flood waters in the Okavango Delta at their peak. Myriad safari options here including riding, mobile and walking. Head to the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Pans for a startling contrast. Botswana combines brilliantly with South Africa and Zambia. This 8 day safari has been crafted by Francis and takes in the channels and lagoons of the Kwando River and the waterways of the Okavango Delta.

Exploring in the Okavango Delta. Little Vumbura

August – Prime time for a family safari. The wildebeest migration is in full swing in the Masai Mara in Kenya, Zambia’s parks are a riot of colourful birdlife and exciting predator action, adventure seekers will find plenty to thrill in Zimbabwe, and South Africa ticks the malaria-free box. Robyn has designed a 12 day safari that begins in the wildlife rich Masai Mara and finishes at the Kenyan coast.

Learning new skills on a family safari. Angama Mara

September – For something more exotic head to Madagascar where you can observe enchanting lemurs, enjoy breathtaking scenery and relax on beaches that rival the best in the world. Superb whale watching off Ile Ste Marie at this time of year. Alternatively, it’s a good time to visit Odzala in the Congo which is amazing for forest wildlife and lowland gorillas. This is one of my favourite destinations. Escape to your own piece of paradise at Miavana, relax at the beachside villas and listen to the gentle lapping of the warm, tropical ocean.
9 Day Madagascar Adventure

Stay amongst the trees at Lango Camp in Odzala National Park

October – Prolong the summer with a safari in Malawi where you’ll find an unexpected wealth of wildlife and stunning scenery. The lake, with its unspoiled islands, beautiful beaches and glorious lodges is a must do for a few nights. Alice suggests ending your safari adventure with a few nights at Kaya Mawa on the white sand beaches of Likoma Island for a carefree getaway ideal for families, couples and friends.
12 Day Malawi Safari

Looking across the Shire River at Kuthengo Camp

November – A perfect time to explore some of Africa’s wonderful Indian Ocean beach locations. It’s the beginning of the Maldives’ dry season, Mauritius offers sophisticated resort hotels, the Seychelles a wonderful collection of island hideaways. Robyn avoided the chill of Scotland for the Maldives in November 2024 and has designed an 8-day beach holiday to Makunudu Island – the ultimate Robinson Crusoe desert island escape.

Blissful beaches in the Seychelles. Lemuria

December – For a truly memorable festive season try celebrating Christmas on a private safari with your nearest and dearest. Stay in a safari house, take a camel assisted walking safari, and spend time with the meerkats; whatever you choose we promise you won’t miss Rudolph and his sleigh one bit.  December is also a great time for a beach escape. Alice took her family on holiday here last year. Denis Island, with its resident tortoise, deep sea fishing and tropical coral, is the epitome of barefoot luxury. The Seychelles 8 day itinerary

Take a private house or small lodge on an exclusive basis for a fabulous Christmas safari. Arijiju

What next?
Get inspired and sign up to our free Insiders Guide to Africa. We would be delighted to help with planning your perfect safari holiday, whenever you want to travel.  Our team of experts has travelled widely throughout Africa and the Indian Ocean and can offer expert advice.  Do get in touch – chatting to people by phone or email is what we do best. We listen, we explain, we answer all sorts of questions even those you didn’t know to ask, and finally we make suggestions. If this is your first time to Africa or your twenty first, we have a team standing by to help make the planning easy and the journey the best ever. Please get in touch whatever stage you’re at.

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