Pick the best season for your safari, or the best spot for your trip whenever you plan it!

 

It is very important to understand the various seasons when you plan your safari in Botswana, Zimbabwe or any other location in Africa. The dry season (June to October) is normally considered best for game viewing, and thus is also the high season in the safari industry. The green and shoulder seasons (November to May) have their assets too, and can be very favourable in certain areas. Zimbabwe and Botswana all together offer great safari opportunities for every season!

 

 

The Four Seasons in Southern Africa

 

The seasons in the Southern African region are as follows;

 

• Summer (hot and rainy): November – April. The summers are hot, with heavy rainfall, often in the form of afternoon thunderstorms. The rains in November and December can be very heavy & frequent, which are known to induce floods in January and February in the most exposed areas (Mozambique,). Otherwise, the summer rains are limited to short-time heavy showers, leaving that special smell in the air, while the rest of the day is warm to hot and sunny, in some areas it can also be very humid. This is the worse time in malaria-prone regions.

• Autumn (mild & nice): April – June. Offers very mild & pleasant weather, with little or no rainfall, warm but not oppressive temperatures – both rain and temperatures declining as the season progresses.

• Winter (fresh & dry): July & AugustThis season is generally characterized by dry, sunny, crisp days and very cold nights. Warm clothing for the evenings and nights is essential; the temperatures during the day are very warm and comfortable.

• Spring (mild turning to very hot): September – October. Mild temperatures characterize spring – however as we enter into October and November temperatures increase rapidly until the first rain showers arrive, (normally expected after mid-October or November).

 

The climate then is influenced by latitude, altitude and other factors.

 

Best Safari Seasons

 

Rather than classical seasons, people in the region (and especially safari people) tend to refer to “green", ”rainy” or “low” season, and “dry” or “high” season, as the availability of water at natural water holes and rivers, strongly impact on game viewing and movement – as well as the influx of tourists!

 

• Green/Rainy season: December to April – is usually considered low season for safari operators. The rainy season is hot and rainy. It is normally not considered a good season for a safari, because it is less comfortable for travellers, and also the rains make game viewing more difficult: water is available all around and the animals disperse; the bush is thicker, insects and vegetation flourish. Some areas become simply inaccessible even with the best 4WD, and some camps have to close during this season.
  
  The season is usually considered a low season by safari operators, but it also has its advantages: – The November rains heralds the birth of many young antelope as well as the arrival of migrant birds from the Northern hemisphere, mammals disperse and do not have to drink from artificial watering points.

• Thunderstorms create perfect those dramatic African skies and perfect dramatic scenery for the pleasure of photographers. – The season is generally fertile: vegetation is lush and many mammals give birth at this time of the year.– the driest areas like the Kalahari desert actually benefit from the rains, as they attract animals into fresh grazing lands.

• Dry season: June/July to October. The dry season, and especially in the latter months when it is hot and dry, is the most favourable time for game viewing, especially in the classical safari areas: animals tend to gather in larger concentrations around the few remaining water sources. Also, the vegetation becomes thinner, and therefore does not obstruct game viewing. Safari operators usually consider the dry season high season.

• Shoulder seasons: April/May, sometimes June and November. These months are favourable months to travel on safari, although less in demand.

 

Where to go in each season

 

The region offers enough diversity to accomodate all travel plans:

 

• During the green season (December to April) in Botswana, you will turn to Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pans National Parks where you can witness dramatic game migrations, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve becomes home to large herds of game, or consider Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve with its unparelled waterscapes, bird & wildlife. You will not be able to access Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) during the rainy months, and may like to avoid Chobe National Park (Botswana) for its high malaria.

• In the shoulder and dry seasons (April/May to November), you can go travel anywhere you like in Botswana or Zimbabwe, except the Kalahari Desert that is very hot & dusty in the dry season.

   

Please check our Botswana and Zimbabwe safari advice, as well as specific information per region for detailed information.

 

Be our guest

 

• Many of our camps and safaris operate all-year round, but Migration Camp in Nxai National Park closes for the shoulder and dry seasons (May to October), while camps and safaris in Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) as well as Linyanti Walking safaris (Botswana) do not operate during the green season (November to April).

• For the other camps, you will benefit as we have lower rates during the green and shoulder seasons (May). Please refer to our rates page or to individual camps & safari pages for details.