Best Times to Travel To Africa: The Ultimate Guide
Planning your dream trip to Africa? Whether you’re chasing the Great Migration, exploring sun-kissed beaches, or hiking the wild highlands, the Best Times to Travel To Africa depends on what you want to see and do. Here’s how to plan your visit for the perfect balance of wildlife, weather, and wonder.
When to Travel to Africa
When a continent is as vast and varied as Africa, timing your trip can transform your experience. On our recent journey across Southern and East Africa, my partner and I quickly learned that each region has its own rhythm — its own dance between rain and sun, wildlife and wilderness, celebration and calm. What’s magical is that there’s truly no “bad” time to visit, only better times for specific adventures.
Our Journey Begins – Best Times to Travel To Africa
We began our self-guided adventure in South Africa, landing in Johannesburg before driving through Kruger National Park. The dry season (May to September) brought golden grasslands and incredible game viewing — lions lounging in the heat, elephants gathered at waterholes, and the dusty hum of the bush alive with crickets. Mornings were cool enough for a light jacket, while the midday sun kissed our faces with that crisp winter warmth.
Morning in the Bush – Best Times to Travel To Africa
The air smelled faintly of acacia and dry earth. The sounds of the savanna — the distant roar of a lion, the chatter of starlings — became our soundtrack. Breakfast was a simple yet rich spread of pap (maize porridge), boerewors, and fresh fruit — all for about 120 ZAR (≈ $10 AUD). The taste of strong South African coffee against the cool dawn made every sunrise feel sacred.
Through the Heart of East Africa
By June, we were in Kenya, chasing the Great Migration. Witnessing wildebeest crossing the Mara River felt like watching nature’s greatest performance — the thunder of hooves, the spray of water, the tense silence before a crocodile’s lunge. The weather was mild, the air dry, and the open plains stretched endlessly beneath cobalt skies.
Best Times to Travel To Africa – We stayed in a small eco-camp just outside the Masai Mara, costing around 250 USD per night (≈ 380 AUD). Nights were alive with the rhythm of drums from a nearby village and the calls of hyenas echoing through the darkness. Dinner was aromatic — goat stew with chapati and ugali — smoky, spicy, and unforgettable.
Island Serenity in the Indian Ocean
After the dust and drama of the savanna, we flew to Zanzibar for some beach tranquility. The island’s summer (December–March) brought warm turquoise waters and fragrant breezes thick with the scent of cloves and coconut. Walking through Stone Town, the air buzzed with life — vendors calling, fish sizzling, the faint hum of taarab music from an open courtyard.
Best Times to Travel To Africa – Lunch was grilled octopus with lime and pili-pili (spicy sauce) — fresh, tangy, and around 20,000 TZS (≈ 12 AUD). As we sipped coconut water straight from the shell, the waves lapped gently at our feet. It felt timeless, suspended between sea and sky.
Discovering the Desert Beauty of Namibia
Namibia was perhaps the biggest surprise — wide red dunes, clear desert air, and star-studded skies that felt close enough to touch. We drove ourselves through Sossusvlei in June, when the weather was cool and the landscapes painted in burnt orange and gold. Each sunset felt cinematic. A room at a desert lodge set us back about 1800 NAD (≈ 145 AUD), and dinner under the Milky Way — kudu steak with bush vegetables — felt worth every cent.
Our Evening Reflections
Every region of Africa offers something different depending on the season — a lush green Botswana teeming with birdlife in February, Morocco’s mild spring markets in April, or South Africa’s blooming Namaqualand flowers in August. What amazed us was how the continent’s mood shifts with the months, yet its magic never fades.
Pro Traveler Tip – Best Times to Travel To Africa
Pack for Layers: No matter when you travel to Africa, temperatures can shift dramatically between morning and night. Lightweight, breathable layers, a good hat, and sturdy walking shoes are essentials. Always bring a soft scarf — perfect for both sun protection and chilly safari mornings.
Pro Traveler Warning
Book Early for Peak Seasons: Especially for safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, or Botswana between June and October. Lodges sell out months in advance, and prices rise steeply. If you’re flexible, consider shoulder months like May or November for fewer crowds and better deals.
Quick Guide: Best Times by Region
| Country | Best Time | Next Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya / Tanzania | Jan – Mar | Jun – Oct |
| Egypt | Nov – Feb | – |
| Mauritius | Apr – Oct | – |
| Morocco | Mar – May | Sep – Nov |
| Namibia | Mar – Dec | – |
| South Africa | Jan – May | Aug – Dec |
| Zambia | May – Nov | – |
| Zimbabwe | Apr – Nov | – |
Your African Travel Seasons, Simplified
- Winter (May–September): Best for safaris — cool, dry, easy wildlife spotting.
- Summer (December–March): Ideal for beaches, birding, and botanical beauty.
- Shoulder Seasons (April–May, October–November): Fewer crowds, lush landscapes, and lower prices.
Your Journey Awaits
Africa is a continent of contrasts — from misty mountain peaks to endless savannas, from golden dunes to turquoise seas. There’s no single “best time” to travel here, only the best time for you. Whether it’s the pulse of the migration, the silence of the desert, or the rhythm of island life — Africa moves at its own beautiful pace. And once you sync with it, you’ll never want to leave.
FAQs – Best Times to Travel To Africa
1. When is the best time to visit Africa overall?
For most safari-focused trips in southern and eastern Africa, the dry season (roughly May–October) is ideal — vegetation thins, animals concentrate around waterholes and sightings improve. That said, “best” depends on region and activity: beaches, birding and gorilla treks each have different peak windows.
2. When should I go to see the Great Migration (wildebeest) in Kenya & Tanzania?
The Migration moves through the Serengeti–Masai Mara ecosystem year-round, but key windows are:
• Jan–Mar — calving in the southern Serengeti (Ndutu); great predator action.
• June–Oct — the herds move north and you’re likeliest to witness the dramatic river crossings (July–September are peak for many crossings).
3. What’s the best time to visit Namibia (Sossusvlei / desert landscapes)?
Namibia is superb outside the hot summer months. Best windows for photography, cooler temps and clear skies are typically June–October, while shoulder months like March–May and August–October are also excellent depending on your priorities (dune light vs. milder temperatures).
4. When is best for island & beach time (Zanzibar / Mauritius / Indian Ocean)?
Island seasons vary by location: Zanzibar is at its driest and busiest around June–October (also good for post-safari beach extensions), while Mauritius sees excellent beach weather broadly from May–December with shoulder months (Sept–Nov) especially pleasant for diving and fewer crowds.
5. Quick planning tips — booking, packing & bush-flight limits
Book lodges early for peak season (Jun–Oct). Pack lightweight layers (cold mornings, hot days), sun protection, binoculars and a good zoom lens. Important: bush/charter flights commonly restrict baggage to roughly 15–20 kg (33–44 lb) per person and usually require soft-sided bags — check exact limits with your operator well before departure
