When is the best time to visit Africa?  When and where to go on safari?

There’s truth to the old adage the early bird catches the worm.

With the year coming to an end and we’ve all got the same things on our minds – rest, relaxation and time with family.  But if you’ve been contemplating a 2018 African safari vacation, we suggest planning well in advance to make sure you get the once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ve been dreaming about.

Below we’ve put together our insider tips and top picks for Africa’s best safaris, month by month. Scroll down and get inspired!

Cape Town & the Garden Route

February is undoubtedly the best time to visit Cape Town – the weather is perfect and the busy festive season is over. You’ll also find the Garden Route a good bet, and a self drive trip through this spectacular region is never disappointing.

We recommend: Kruger & Cape Town Safari

Botswana’s Zebra Migration

Summer rains mean lush, green vegetation, baby animals (and predators hot on their heels), and plenty of birds. Book a migration safari to Botswana’s Kalahari region, and marvel at one of the longest migrations in Africa.

We recommend: Kalahari Luxury Camping Safari

Sossusvlei & Etosha National Park

In April the intense heat of summer has passed and the rain is pretty much over, but the cold evenings of winter are yet to arrive. The landscape is still green in patches, and pools of water dot it here and there.

We recommend: Into the Wild Namibia Lodge Safari

 Uganda

June to October is the dry season in Uganda, which can make gorilla trekking easier.

We recommend: Combining the stunning wilderness  of Uganda with a night on the ash slopes of active volcano Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). See more over here.

Kruger & Botswana

June is the start of the peak game viewing season in Southern Africa, and an excellent time to visit Botswana’s premier wilderness areas, or the ever-popular Kruger National Park.

We recommend: Combining a Kruger safari with a beach holiday in Cape Town, or exploring the best wilderness areas in Botswana on our Classic Botswana Safari. 

Sardine Run

Experience the utterly remarkable, and largely unexplained, sardine run, which happens every year during May and June in South Africa.

Billions of silver sardines travel north from the cold oceans off South Africa’s Cape Point and make their way up the picturesque South African coast. Marvel at the mesmerising array of marine and bird life that is drawn to the spectacle to feed.

Zambia

Explore the birthplace of the walking safari – the South Luangwa National Park – on foot.

We recommend: 22 of epic adventure along the old Southern Africa trade routes.

Etosha

With daytime temperatures dropping over the August/September period, Namibia is an excellent choice for a safari holiday. Known by many as ‘God’s country’, Namibia offers a special brand of remote peace and serenity, along with incredible desert-adapted wildlife and mesmerising landscapes.

We recommend: Spot a plethora of animals around a single waterhole in Etosha on our Namibia Exploration Safari.

Cape Winelands

Enjoy worldclass wines in the Cape Winelands, along with some of the best restaurants in South Africa.

We recommend: A tailor-made wine and food tour around the Cape Winelands and Cape Town. Contact us to start planning.

Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago

August to September is one of the best times of the year to visit Africa’s tropical islands. The weather is warm and moderate, the skies are cloudless, water visibility is high, and whale sharks are moving back into the area. The islands off the coast of Northern Mozambique (Bazaruto Island and the island jewels of the Quirimbas Archipelago), are one of Africa’s best kept secrets. It’s here that you’ll find tropical island bliss, excellent diving, and remote barefoot luxury.

We recommend: A northern Mozambique island holiday (sea, sand and sun) also combines really well with a big five safari. The best of beach and bush!

Botswana’s Zebra Migration

January summer rains mean lush, green vegetation, baby animals (and predators hot on their heels), and plenty of birds. Book a migration safari to Botswana’s Kalahari region, and marvel at one of the longest migrations in Africa.

We recommend: Kalahari Luxury Camping Safari

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal has a sub-tropical climate that is very different to that of the rest of the country. You’ll see different terrains and ecosystems, and families will welcome being able to combine a Big 5 safari with an affordable beach holiday.

We recommend: Visiting the exquisite Phinda Private Game Reserve, which allows for Big Five game viewing and excellent reef diving. View our Beach & Bush Luxury Safari.