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Some seasonal basics...

• Our seasons in Africa aren't as well defined by comparison with what you'll find in North America or Europe - year round the climate is relatively warm. The seasons become less defined as you move north from Cape Town towards Nairobi.
• The southern winter (dry season) runs from around May to early August
• Migrant birds join us during our southern summer months (wet season) from mid-October and then leave from around mid-March
• Game movements are determined by the availability of fresh grazing and browsing sources. Rains will generally disperse browsers and their attendant predators, dry seasons inevitably lead to larger concentrations around remaining water sources.
• So as a rule, game is best at the end of the dry season when temperatures are high. (Unless it's on the move as you'll find with our African migrations in the Serengeti, western Zambia and Kalahari.)
• Our southern "green season" is marked by dramatic scenery, contrasting weather patterns and excellent light conditions for photographers, we're inundated by migrant bird species, the crowds don't exist and the African bush itself is most spectacular...

In Southern Africa - summer rains and dry winters...

• The wet and dry seasons have a significant effect on game conditions. The dry season generally runs from May to October through the southern autumn, winter and into spring. Game conditions generally improve as the season gets drier and wildlife tends to concentrate near remaining water sources.
• The summer wet season itself, also referred to as the "green season", generally starting with fresh rains in November heralds the arrival of migrant birds as mammals disperse in search of fresh growth - the bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, game viewing deteriorates.
• The summer rains are generally characterized by torrential downpours followed by sunshine during the day. Deep rains and flood conditions, if they occur, hammer us in January and February. The wet season generally makes the remoter areas inaccessible.

...also in Southern Africa... moderate winters, hot summers...

• Temperatures during the southern winter in Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe are moderate and generally very comfortable by comparison with those experienced in the northern climes…as an example, a mid-winter Lower Zambezi canoe safari can be tackled in shorts, rafters and T-shirt with a fleece and joggers to ward off the evening chill - temperatures at the time will rarely drop below 13 degrees Celsius. (At higher altitudes in Hwange or the Nyika Plateau night time temperatures normally approach freezing.)
• On the other hand the Zambezi and North and South Luangwa valleys experience extremely high temperatures just before the rains - we regard October and November as our "suicide months" with day time temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and not dropping below 30 degrees for nights on end.
• This time of year is exceptionally good for game, but you have to be quite dedicated to handle the heat! (Some of us get excused from safari duties and go marketing in the northern hemisphere...with vigour and a touch of relief.)
• In mid November our rains usually start. It's a release from about six weeks of hell for local residents and insects alike! (We always arrange to gather bucket loads of flying ants and prepare for the tiger fishing season between December and March.)

In East Africa, long and short rains...

• Southern Tanzania (Ruaha and Selous) is the real "transition zone" in terms of climate and in many cases game species between Southern Africa and East Africa. Weather in the south is very similar to what occurs in Zambia.
• In the north, in the Serengeti and in Kenya, the short rains fall in November and December...actually light rains. In April and May we have the long rains. Characterized by violent thunderstorms and massive downpours and then the sun comes out!  This weather pattern has a very significant effect on the migration.

Safari planning | African destinations | Seasons in Africa

Types of safaris | safari costs | special interest trips | formalities | booking your safari