Safari in April: Where to Go in Africa

Southern Africa is the safer bet. In South Africa’s Sabi Sand and Kruger, the summer rains are ending, the bush is still green and temperatures are pleasant. Impala rams begin their rut, roaring and chasing rivals, and leopard viewing remains excellent in the private reserves.

Victoria Falls is spectacular, with the Zambezi nearing its seasonal peak, which usually comes around April and May. The spray can soak you on the Zimbabwe side’s paths, while a helicopter flight reveals the full scale. Pair the falls with a few nights on Botswana’s Chobe riverfront, a short road transfer away.

Only for flexible travelers. The long rains usually peak in April, some roads turn to mud, and many seasonal camps, especially in Ruaha, Nyerere and parts of the Serengeti and Mara, close for several weeks. Those that stay open often offer their lowest rates of the year.

The rewards are real: emerald landscapes, few vehicles and, in the Serengeti, herds that are often still in the southern and central areas. Choose a permanent lodge, allow for some rain-shortened drives, and check our Great Migration guide for where the herds usually are.

April is a month to be selective about where you go.

The Seychelles are at their best around April and May, the calm transition between monsoons, with clear water for snorkeling and diving. Mauritius emerges from its cyclone season and becomes a good choice from April, about four hours from Johannesburg. Both pair well with a Southern African safari.

Three to six months is usually enough, and green-season offers in East Africa can appear closer to departure. Lock in Easter dates earlier if they fall in April. If you’re adding Victoria Falls, reserve a falls-view hotel and any helicopter flight in advance, as peak-flow weeks are popular.