The single most useful thing to know about safari planning is that East Africa and Southern Africa run on different calendars. Kenya and Tanzania peak from July to October and again from January to March. Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa's bush are best from May to October. Get the calendar right and the rest of the planning is detail.
January to March
The best months for Kenya's conservancies and Tanzania's southern Serengeti. The grass is short after the short rains, the light is clear, and in the Serengeti the wildebeest are calving, which brings the predators out into the open. Rwanda is dry and good for trekking. Southern Africa is in its wet season: green, hot, and quieter, with excellent birding but harder game viewing.
April and May
The long rains in East Africa. Some camps close, roads soften, and prices fall sharply at those that stay open. For travellers who do not mind afternoon storms it is a lush, empty, significantly better-value time, and the photography is dramatic. In Botswana the Delta floods begin to arrive and the season starts properly in May. South Africa's bush dries out and game viewing improves through the month.
June to August
High season almost everywhere. The migration arrives in the northern Serengeti and the Mara, with river crossings from July. Botswana is dry, cool in the mornings, and at its best; the Delta is full and water activities are at their peak. Namibia is cold at night and perfect by day. For families tied to school holidays, July and August suit Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana equally well. Book early: the best camps fill a year ahead.
September and October
The migration is still in the north, the Mara crossings continue into October, and the crowds thin in September. Southern Africa heats up: October is hot in Botswana and Zambia, but the game concentrates at the remaining water and the viewing can be the best of the year for those who can take the temperature.
November and December
The short rains in East Africa are usually brief and leave the country green by Christmas. Kenya's conservancies over the festive period are superb and book out early. November in Botswana is hot but the camps are half empty and the first rains bring newborn animals. South Africa's Cape is in summer and pairs well with a short bush stay for a Christmas trip.
Matching the month to the party
Easter suits Kenya and South Africa. Christmas suits Kenya's conservancies and South Africa's Cape. If you want the migration river crossings, that is the northern Serengeti and the Mara from July to October. If you want calving and predators, that is the southern Serengeti from January to March. If the budget matters more than the month, look at the shoulder seasons: late March, early June, and November all deliver most of the experience for noticeably less.
