Best Time for an African Safari: Month-by-Month Guide

The Short Answer

If you want	Go in	Where
The best all-round game viewing	June to October	Tanzania's Northern Circuit, Kenya's Maasai Mara
Mara River crossings	July to October	Northern Serengeti (Tanzania), Maasai Mara (Kenya)
Calving season and predator action	January to February	Ndutu, southern Serengeti
The lowest prices and fewest vehicles	April to May	Tanzania (some lodges close)
Gorilla trekking in drier conditions	June to September, December to February	Uganda, Rwanda
Safari plus beach	June to October, January to February	Tanzania with Zanzibar

How East Africa's Seasons Work

East Africa doesn't have summer and winter the way Europe or North America does. It has dry seasons and rainy seasons, and those decide almost everything about a safari.

• Long dry season (June to October): cool mornings, dusty plains, thin bush. Animals stay close to rivers and waterholes, so they are easier to find. This is peak season, with peak prices.
• Short rains (November to December): short afternoon showers, the land turns green, and the herds move back south to the Serengeti's short-grass plains. November is good value; the Christmas weeks are not.
• Short dry season (January to February): warm, mostly dry and green. In Tanzania this is calving season.
• Long rains (March to May): the heaviest rain of the year, the fewest visitors and the lowest rates. April and May are the wettest months.

Rain here rarely means a washed-out day. Even in the wet months it tends to come as heavy afternoon storms, and mornings are often clear. What changes is the state of the roads, which camps are open, and how spread out the animals are.

Month by Month

January and February

The wildebeest herds are on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu. At the peak of calving in February, around 8,000 calves are born a day, and lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow them closely. It is warm (25 to 31°C), mostly dry, and a good window for Kilimanjaro too. Prices sit in the middle.

March to May

The long rains. The herds drift from the south into the central and western Serengeti. Crowds are very low and prices are the lowest of the year, often 30 to 50% below peak in Tanzania. Some lodges close in April and May, so check before you fix dates. It is also the best birding season, with migratory species arriving.

June

The dry season starts. The herds gather in the western Serengeti and the first Grumeti River crossings happen. Game viewing is strong almost everywhere, and the Kilimanjaro climbing season opens.

July to September

The classic safari months. The migration reaches the northern Serengeti and the Mara River crossings begin in July. Kenya's Maasai Mara hosts the herds from roughly mid-July to early October. August is the busiest month, with the most vehicles at the crossings and the highest prices, so book well ahead. In Tarangire, elephant numbers peak in the dry months, with up to 3,000 gathering along the river.

October

Still dry and hot, with the vegetation at its thinnest. Crossings continue early in the month, then the herds start back south. Some lodges move to shoulder pricing.

November and December

The short rains green the plains and the herds return to the southern Serengeti ready for calving. November is quiet and well priced. Expect holiday rates over Christmas and New Year.

For the full Tanzania calendar, with temperatures and crowd levels, see our best time to visit Tanzania guide.

Best Time by Country

Tanzania

Tanzania works all year because the migration stays in the Serengeti ecosystem for most of it. June to October is the strongest period for general game viewing; January and February are the best months for calving. If budget matters more than the migration, April and May give you the parks almost to yourself. See where the herds are each month in our Great Migration calendar.

Kenya

Kenya shares the same dry season, and the Maasai Mara is at its best from mid-July to early October, when the herds cross in from Tanzania. Outside that window the Mara still has a lot of resident big cats. Our Kenya vs Tanzania safari comparison covers which country suits which trip.

Uganda and Rwanda

Gorilla trekking runs all year, but June to September and December to February are the driest months. Trails are less muddy and the light is better for photographs. These are also the busiest months for permits, so book early. See Uganda and Rwanda for more on each country.

Southern Africa

We operate in East Africa, but for comparison: in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Zambia the dry season, and so the best game viewing, generally falls in the southern winter, roughly May to October. If you are choosing between regions, East Africa has the migration and the gorillas; southern Africa has its own wetlands and desert landscapes.

Best Time for Your Trip

A first safari

June to October. Animals are easiest to find and the weather is most predictable. A route through Tarangire, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, like our Great Migration Safari, covers the essentials.

Families

The July and August school holidays line up with peak season. Book early, and consider a private vehicle so children can stop when they want.

Photographers

The dry season gives clear views and dramatic crossings. The green months give clean air, storm light and newborn animals. Many photographers prefer February for the calving.

Honeymoons and beach add-ons

Zanzibar is best from June to October and in January and February, which fits neatly with the safari seasons. See Zanzibar.

Safari with Kilimanjaro

The main climbing windows are January to February and June to October, the same as the safari dry seasons. See our Kilimanjaro climbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month for an African safari?

For East Africa, August is often called the best month for wildlife, but it is also the busiest and most expensive. July and September offer almost the same wildlife with slightly fewer vehicles. February is the best month for calving.

Is the rainy season a bad time for a safari?

No. You see fewer vehicles, pay lower prices and get green landscapes and newborn animals. The trade-offs are muddier roads, some closed lodges in April and May, and animals that are more spread out.

When can I see the Great Migration?

All year in Tanzania, because the herds move in a loop through the Serengeti. The Mara River crossings run from about July to October, and calving happens around Ndutu in January and February. Crossing dates shift by two to three weeks from year to year, depending on rainfall.

How far ahead should I book?

For July to September, and for gorilla permits, book six to twelve months ahead. Green season trips can usually be arranged at shorter notice.

Not sure which month fits your plans? Tell us your dates and we'll suggest where the wildlife will be.