Januarymixed
Visiting Africa in January 2026/27
January is a bit of a mixed bag in Africa with the southern countries of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe in their “green” seasons, expect heavy rains and limited access. East Africa, by contrast, is in a short dry period so offers the wildebeest migration herds in the southern Serengeti, gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda and a low cost safari to Kenya.
Which Countries to Visit
Head to the Serengeti in Tanzania for the wildebeest herds, Rwanda and Uganda for gorillas and birding and Kenya for some value safari and beach.
Cheat Sheet
- + Dry in East Africa
- + A low season to travel so offers great deals
- + The Great Migration in the southern Serengeti and calving
- – Humidity starts to pick up
Top Tips for January 2026/27
- + Keep an eye out for low season offers
Februarymixed
Visiting Africa in February 2026/27
As with January, most of the southern African countries are experiencing hot, humid and rainy conditions in their “green” seasons. East Africa continues to be a great option with relatively dry conditions and the great migration herds still in the southern Serengeti.
Which Countries to Visit
Tanzania and the Serengeti is still the prime destination for the big game while Rwanda and Uganda are still excellent for gorillas and birders alike.
Cheat Sheet
- + East Africa is dry with temperatures around 30 degrees
- + Superb birding including European migratories
- – Wildebeest herds are easy to access in the Southern Serengeti
- – Limited options for safari
Top Tips for February 2026/27
- + Kenya can be great value
March mixed
Visiting Africa in March 2026/27
The southern African countries of Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe are starting to come out of their rainy period with temperatures dropping back down to around the 30 degree mark but still strong rains. East Africa is starting to become more humid as the main rains arrive at the end of the month.
Which Countries to Visit
Tanzania and the Serengeti is still a great option for the big game experience. Herds are starting to scent the new rains and so begin to move north at the end of the month.
Cheat Sheet
- + East Africa still still dry and warm
- + Very few tourists travelling
- + The Great Migration looks to move from the southern Serengeti
- – Humidity starts to build towards the end of the month
Top Tips for March 2026/27
- + Aim for the Western corridor in the Serengeti for the front of the herds
April mixed
Visiting Africa in April 2026/27
As Southern Africa opens once more for business with the early waters arriving into the Okavango in Botswana and Zambia and Zimbabwe starting to greet clients again, East Africa moves into the main rains.
Which Countries to Visit
The early part of the month is very changeable throughout but later in the month is starting to get better in Botswana and Zambia.
Cheat Sheet
- + A shoulder season for Botswana
- + Great value options in southern Africa
- – Temperatures start to cool
- – East Africa is in its main rains
Top Tips for April 2026/27
- + Great value okavango delta options
May mixed
Visiting Africa in May 2026/27
Another “mixed” month with Botswana coming into its main season as the floods make their way through the top of the Okavango but East Africa still sits in its main rains. Zambia is also a great option for early season.
Which Countries to Visit
Botswana is now in full swing in the northern part of the Okavango Delta and Zambia is now starting to dry out.
Cheat Sheet
- + Head to the Okavango for the early flood waters
- + Great prices for Zambia properties
- + Still a quieter time for tourism
- – East Africa is still in its main rains
Top Tips for May 2026/27
- + Zambia is excellent value at the end of the month
June great
Visiting Africa in June 2026/27
Coming out of the main rains, East Africa, Tanzania and Kenya, open up for tourists once more. Botswana is now in full flow and Zambia and Zimbabwe are hitting their prime months. Plenty of options!
Which Countries to Visit
Head to the north of the Serengeti for the wildebeest herds, to Botswana for the flood waters through the northern parts of the delta and Zambia for some walking!
Cheat Sheet
- + All of “safari” Africa is open for business
- + Fantastic wildlife viewing/numbers
- + Great prices in southern Tanzania
- – Wildebeest herds can be tricky to predict
Top Tips for June 2026/27
- + Choose a mobile tented camp in the Serengeti
July best
Visiting Africa in July 2026/27
All the main safari destinations in the continent are in their full season with some of the best game viewing to be had throughout. The wildebeest herds hit the northern grasslands of the Serengeti and spill over into the Masai Mara. The Okavango Delta is as full and as beautiful as can be!
Which Countries to Visit
Put a pin in a map…Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda or Uganda!
Cheat Sheet
- + Outstanding game viewing across the continent
- + Migration herds in both the Serengeti and the Masai Mara
- + Dry and clear days with cool evenings
- – It’s as busy as it gets out there!
Top Tips for July 2026/27
- + Book early for July and August!
August amazing
Visiting Africa in August 2026/27
As with July, August is the peak season across the continent with all of the “big name” destinations such as the Serengeti, the Masai Mara, Volcanoes National Park, The Okavango Delta and South Luangwa in full swing.
Which Countries to Visit
All of them are great!
Cheat Sheet
- + Heart of the dry season across the continent
- + Reliable and excellent game viewing
- – Evenings in the Okavango can be cooler
- – In locations like the Masai Mara there is an abundance of tourists!
Top Tips for August 2026/27
- + Choose locations wisely for the best experience
September great
Visiting Africa in September 2026/27
Probably our pick of the times to travel througout the year, you still have the options of all the main destinations for safari with the slightly lower prices after the July/August peak season. Weather is still dry and warm.
Which Countries to Visit
The Masai Mara or the Serengeti for the great Migration herds, the Okavango Delta for waters and isolation, Zambia for walking and Uganda/Rwanda for gorillas and chimps.
Cheat Sheet
- + A stunning month for game throughout
- + A drop in the peak season rates and visitor numbers
- + The Great Migration mills around the Mara and the Serengeti
- – Still quite busy for tourists
Top Tips for September 2026/27
- + Travel after the 10th to avoid the school crowds
October still good
Visiting Africa in October 2026/27
October heralds a change in the weather in southern Africa as temperatures start to rise and the arrival of the short rains in East Africa. Early in the month Botswana still has the flood waters in the southern delta and the migration herds are still on the grasslands of the north.
Which Countries to Visit
Head to the southern areas of the Okavango, the walking in South Luangwa early in the month and for the herds in the Masai Mara and the Serengeti.
Cheat Sheet
- + Mostly clear, dry weather
- + Game viewing is still good
- – Tempertures start to increase at the end of the month in Zambia and Botswana
- – Rainfall arrives at after the middle of the month
Top Tips for October 2026/27
- + Try to travel early in the month
November fair
Visiting Africa in November 2026/27
With the arrival of the short rains in East Africa, the wildebeest herds start their migration back to the southern Serengeti. In Botswana and Zambia the temperatures really start to ramp up with 40 degrees not being unheard of in the South Luangwa.
Which Countries to Visit
As indicated above, it is a bit of a changeable time with the Serengeti still being good, Zambia is only for those who are ready for the heat!
Cheat Sheet
- + The migration herds are on the move in the Serengeti
- + Low season rates offer value for money
- + A drop in visitor numbers
- – Gorilla trekking can get muddy
Top Tips for November 2026/27
- + Look to travel in the first couple of weeks for good game and low prices
December fair
Visiting Africa in December 2026/27
Many discount December in Botswana as the floods have now moved through the delta and the temperatures are up in the high 30s but it is still a great time for game and low visitor numbers. The Serengeti sees the migration herds start to arrive around the southern lakes.
Which Countries to Visit
The southern plains of the Serengeti are starting to see the migration herds arriving at the end of the month. Head to the Kenyan coast for some winter sunshine!
Cheat Sheet
- + Mostly clear, dry weather
- + Fantastic wildlife viewing/numbers
- – Can be colder this time of year
- – It’s peak season so some parks can get busy
Top Tips for December 2026/27
- + Book early with us to get the best camps & lodges
