SOUTH AFRICA
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Highlights
Seasons South Africa is an all-year destination, however, it rains in the Greater Kruger area and Kwazulu Natal usually between November and March. The Western Cape has a winter rain climate, so sees most of its rain between May and November. |
NAMIBIA
Highlights
Seasons
If it rains, it rains between November and April, the rest of the year is very dry. In the winter months of June, July and August, night time temperatures in the desert can drop to freezing. Daytime temperatures are 25-31°C.
- The sand dunes of the Namib Desert five hours from the capital, Windhoek.
- Desert-dwelling elephants, black rhinos, and lions in the other-worldly wildernesses of northern Damaraland and the Kunene regions.
- Abundant game in Etosha NP. Leopard and cheetah tracking at Okonjima, three hours north of Windhoek.
- The deserted mining settlement of Kolmanskop and the fantastic Fish River Canyon in the far south.
- Amazing scenery throughout the country.
Seasons
If it rains, it rains between November and April, the rest of the year is very dry. In the winter months of June, July and August, night time temperatures in the desert can drop to freezing. Daytime temperatures are 25-31°C.
BOTSWANA
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Highlights
Seasons Generally, May to September, during the dry season and winter, with more moderate temperatures. The Okavango waters are at their highest from June to October. The Kalahari comes to life in the rainy season, its velvety-looking plains attracting tens of thousands of grazers, much to the delight of the predators, especially the black-maned Kalahari lions. The Okavango’s water-based camps offer year-round water activities such as mokoro safaris (dugout-canoe) and boating. |
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ZIMBABWE
Highlights
Seasons
A year-round destination, it does get hot between mid-October and December.
- The majestic Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean/Zambian border is within easy reach of Botswana, and has direct flights from Namibia, making it easy to combine destinations in one unforgettable safari itinerary. Take a helicopter flight over the falls for a breath-taking bird's-eye view of Mosi-oa-Tunya - 'The Smoke That Thunders’ or go white-water rafting downstream of the falls. High Tea at Victoria Falls Hotel, the oldest in the country, is a must.
- Hwange National Park; a short hop from the Falls, has excellent game viewing from private concessions within and next to the national park.
- Matopos National Park tracking rhino on foot, stunning rock formations, and ancient rock art.
- Mana Pools where Davis Attenborough’s team filmed the remarkable episode on Wild Dogs.
Seasons
A year-round destination, it does get hot between mid-October and December.
ZAMBIA
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Highlights
Seasons Wet season (November to April) has heavy rainfall that can cut off road access, which makes getting around difficult so any of the country’s parks close – though exception is South Luangwa is still accessible In the dry season (May to October), there’s hardly any rain to be seen and animals are easily found at local rivers and waterholes. |
MALAWI
Highlights
Seasons
Dry season, May to August, is very pleasant with little rain and mild temperatures. July to October is the best time for wildlife viewing as animals have to leave the bush to find available water. October can get very hot. For those who don’t mind a bit of rain, the low-season months from November to May are fresh and green, with good low-season deals.
- An up and coming ecotourism destination with low tourism density and good value-for-money
- Lake Malawi National Park, one of the most biodiverse lake regions in the world, providing a fertile home for around 200 mammal species (including big cats, elephants, hippos, monkeys, and more), 650 species of bird, and more than 5,500 plants.
- Malawi also has four other national parks (Kasungu, Lengwe, Liwonde, and Nyika), four wildlife reserves (Majete, Mwabvi, Nkhotakota, and Vwaza Marsh), and two biosphere reserves (Lake Chilwa and Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve)
- Great combination of beach and bush
Seasons
Dry season, May to August, is very pleasant with little rain and mild temperatures. July to October is the best time for wildlife viewing as animals have to leave the bush to find available water. October can get very hot. For those who don’t mind a bit of rain, the low-season months from November to May are fresh and green, with good low-season deals.
MOZAMBIQUE
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Highlights
Seasons Temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year. The dry season, from May to October is cooler than the wet season, from November to April. This is less pronounced in northern Mozambique as it is closer to the equator. Daytime temperatures range from about 25°C in the wet season to 30°C in the dry season months. |
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TANZANIA
Highlights
Seasons
In the Serengeti, January to March is foaling and calving time in the south of the park, and a great time to see predators in action. June to November is river-crossing season firstly the north west, then the east of the park. The “long rains” fall mid-March to late-April, but generally at night. May and June are quiet and the cheapest time of year to go, along with November and early December.
In the south, flights into Selous pause between mid-April and mid-June due to the high water levels. Peak game-viewing is June to November. This is also the only time Katavi is open and the best time for chimp viewing in the west
- The great migration in the Serengeti (over two million wildebeest and zebra moving in a wonky circle over a 12-month period), the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Ngorongoro Crater, home to over 30,000 hooved mammals and plenty of predators.
- In the south, our favourite areas of Ruaha, Selous, and Katavi offer incredible variety, lots of space, and very few tourists.
- To the west, Mahale National Park and Gombe Streams National Park host big numbers of charming chimps.
- Zanzibar is a much-sought after beach destination with scuba diving, snorkelling, spice plantations and fascinating history.
- The lesser-known island of Mafia has enchanting ruins from medieval trading civilisations, scuba diving, and snorkelling with gentle-giant whale sharks.
- Pemba Island really is an untouched Africa island paradise with fantastic hard coral gardens, deep drop-offs, and passes.
Seasons
In the Serengeti, January to March is foaling and calving time in the south of the park, and a great time to see predators in action. June to November is river-crossing season firstly the north west, then the east of the park. The “long rains” fall mid-March to late-April, but generally at night. May and June are quiet and the cheapest time of year to go, along with November and early December.
In the south, flights into Selous pause between mid-April and mid-June due to the high water levels. Peak game-viewing is June to November. This is also the only time Katavi is open and the best time for chimp viewing in the west
KENYA
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Highlights
Seasons Year-round, though the wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in July and remains until October when it moves back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. Many people travel to Kenya because it is a perfect getaway to unwind and relax. with picturesque sandy beaches, and luxury resorts with high-end services. |
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UGANDA
Highlights
Seasons
The drier months from May to September and December to February are the best for wildlife watching in Uganda, though it’s often damp in the cloud forest, unsurprisingly.
- The best place for Gorilla viewing with over half of the world’s Mountain gorillas here with a range of access options
- Excellent Chimp tracking
- Combine the primates with under-rated wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls NP
- Excellent birding with over 1000 species including the boot-ugly Shoebill stork.
- Beach breaks on the islands in Lake Victoria
- The amazing Wild Waters lodge, nestled in the rapids of the Nile, for some perfect couple time.
Seasons
The drier months from May to September and December to February are the best for wildlife watching in Uganda, though it’s often damp in the cloud forest, unsurprisingly.
MADAGASCAR
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Highlights
Seasons The principal wet season is from late December through to the month of March often has cyclones, so it is probably best avoided then. The best time to go to Madagascar is therefore between the months of April through to mid-December. Being prepared for all weather conditions is always recommended as weather patterns do not necessarily adhere to the seasons. Madagascar is a massive country and therefore climate varies hugely subject to your geographic location. It also depends on what you want to see.
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MAURITIUS
Highlights
Seasons
The seasonal winds are the main factor when planning a trip here. Fortunately there are great places to stay all around the island, so when one side is windy, the other is protected. Can be enjoyed year round.
- Excellent connections to South Africa and Kenya for a post-safari recharge and a renowned honeymoon destination but also great for family holidays
- Idyllic and varied landscapes with volcanic peaks, cliffs, gorges and waterfalls, as well as fields of sugar cane and pineapples in the lush green interior, with swaying palms and white sandy beaches on the coast.
- Whilst known for its large 5-star luxury hotels and resorts offering a full range of water sports such as water-skiing, jet skiing and parasailing, we specialise in using smaller, more intimate properties, and creating itineraries giving an insight to the soul of the island.
Seasons
The seasonal winds are the main factor when planning a trip here. Fortunately there are great places to stay all around the island, so when one side is windy, the other is protected. Can be enjoyed year round.
ST HELENA
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Highlights
Seasons Summer is from December to April, with air temperatures up to 30°C. Due to the increased likelihood of flight disruption from May to October, we recommend sticking to the summer months for a visit. |
THE COMORES
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Highlights
Seasons There are two seasons in the Comoros: the hot and humid season flowing in from the north-west from November to April and the dry season from May to October. |
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Diving in AFRICA
Africa has a wide range of diving, from the cold waters of the southern tip of the Cape of Good Hope to the equatorial waters of Zanzibar, some 6400 km (4000 miles) in length. The Cape has kelp forests. fur seals, seven-gill sharks, endemic sharks, wrecks, and the great white shark. The world-famous Sardine Run occurs every year between May and July along the Eastern Cape Province coast, the Indian Ocean waters of KwaZulu-Natal see the southernmost coral reefs forming, but is still best-known for the diversity of its shark and ray diving, as is southern Mozambique. As you progress northwards, the reefs become more and more vibrant, with the shining island pearls being Moheli in the Comores, Alphonse in the Seychelles, Zanzibar, Mafia, and Pemba off the coast of Tanzania.
You will find much more diving information on the specific destination pages of this website, and you can read some independent reviews of African diving on the excellent Undercurrent website here.
You will find much more diving information on the specific destination pages of this website, and you can read some independent reviews of African diving on the excellent Undercurrent website here.