FAQ Series: When is the best time of year to travel to Africa?

Lynn Hogan
Jan 27, 2019
2 min read

So you think you want to go to Africa, but you don’t really know where, when or how to start the planning process. It is such a vast continent (you can fit 2 ½ United States into the continent and still have plenty of room left over)...

You’ve also probably have many questions … When is a good time to go? Will I need a Visa? What about vaccinations, and other medications too? What’s the political climate like in the countries I want to visit and is it safe for travelers? Well, there’s a lot to consider… But let’s start with “ When?”

Painting a very broad picture, you must re-think the question when to travel to Africa… The answer is, when do you want to go? The time of year will affect your destination choice certainly… but there is always a good time to travel here. Southern Africa will be hot in the months of November through February and their winter season runs from about June to September. April/May through October there will be less rain and cooler temperatures, so those are popular times to visit Southern African regions like Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa as well as Namibia.

The Hogan family safari in Southern Africa in August 2017

The indescribable Okavango Delta region will be receiving its annual flooding of ancient water channels during this time. Truly one of natures’ magical wonders.

If viewing the Gorillas is on your bucket-list, you will want to go to Rwanda when there is less rains (so that trekking is more comfortable) potentially June- September/October.

If you choose to travel in the months of November – March it will be warmer temperatures with potentially more rains, but it is also the green season there and you will see some amazing things too. This is the time of year that babies are being born among many species of wildlife due to the abundance of grasses and vegetation.

You might also consider the East African regions of Kenya and Tanzania at this time of year to see the incredible sights of the Serengeti and Norongoro Crater and incorporating some beach time as well if you are so inclined!

I am just about to embark on this journey myself, as we decided we wanted our next trip to Africa to be in February. I will be reporting first-hand from East Africa the sights and experiences of the Migration (including some newborn babies hopefully!) game viewing in the Crater, ending our trip at a fantastic beach location in Zanzibar…