Safari in August: Where to Go in Africa

Kenya’s Maasai Mara is at its most famous. The herds have usually arrived in force, spreading across the plains and crossing the Mara River back and forth, while lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow every move. The northern Serengeti across the border sees crossings too, often with fewer vehicles.

Base yourself in a private conservancy such as Mara North, Olare Motorogi or Naboisho for quieter game drives, then drive into the reserve for crossings with an experienced guide. Our Serengeti vs Maasai Mara comparison helps you choose a side of the border.

Excellent. The dry season is well established, so animals concentrate at rivers and waterholes. In Botswana, the Okavango still holds its floodwater while land camps in the Linyanti and Savute deliver predators, and Chobe’s elephant herds grow along the river. Zambia’s South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi are at their best for walking and canoeing, and Hwange’s waterholes are busy.

South Africa’s Kruger and Sabi Sand offer some of the year’s best visibility, and whale season is under way along the Western Cape coast, building toward its September–October peak around Hermanus.

Demand shapes most August pitfalls.

Zanzibar remains dry and comfortable, a natural finale after the northern Serengeti. The Seychelles can be breezy on southeast-facing coasts during the trade-wind season, so pick a sheltered beach. After a Southern African safari, Mauritius is in its cooler, drier winter, with sunny days and fresh evenings.

At least 12 months, and up to 18 for the most sought-after Mara River and Okavango camps. If you’re planning late, consider flexible dates, the northern Serengeti instead of the Mara, or Zambia and Zimbabwe, where peak-season space can be easier to find.