Safari in December: Where to Go in Africa

South Africa is the holiday favorite. In the Sabi Sand and Kruger, impala lambs and other young animals are everywhere, predators are active, and the bush is lush and loud with migrant birds. Pair a safari with Cape Town’s early summer and the Winelands for a family or multigenerational trip with short flights between stops.

For families with young children, malaria-free Madikwe and the Eastern Cape reserves remove the need for malaria medication, a real advantage in the summer rainy season, when risk is higher in Kruger and other lowveld areas.

The short rains usually taper off during December. The migration herds return to the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area ahead of calving, and the Ngorongoro Crater is green and productive. Kenya’s Mara is lush, with resident big cats and lower rates outside the holiday weeks.

December also opens the drier window for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Holiday permits sell out early, so secure them as soon as your dates are set; see our gorilla trekking guide.

Most December pitfalls involve holiday timing and the summer rains.

Cape Town’s beaches and Mauritius both shine in December; Mauritius is warm and generally settled ahead of its cyclone peak from about January to March. Zanzibar enters its hot, mostly dry season and is a natural finale after the Serengeti. The Seychelles become wetter as the northwest monsoon sets in.

Twelve months for the festive weeks, especially for families who need interconnecting rooms or private vehicles. Early December is quieter and often available at lower rates, a good choice if your dates are flexible.