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EmpyreanTravel · Est. 1984

Africa · Safari Calendar

Safari in September: Where to Go in Africa

Where to go on safari in September: Botswana and Zambia at their dry-season best, ongoing Mara River crossings, Tarangire’s elephants and Cape whale season.

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Quick answer

Reviewed · 3 min read

September is many safari experts’ favorite month. Southern Africa is dry and warm, so Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa deliver exceptional concentrations of wildlife at water. Mara River crossings typically continue in Kenya and the northern Serengeti, often with fewer visitors than in August. Tanzania’s Tarangire and Ruaha are excellent, and Cape Town adds whale watching.

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Top pick
Botswana: Okavango, Linyanti and Chobe
Also great
Maasai Mara & northern Serengeti; Tarangire; Ruaha; Hwange
Weather pattern
Dry and warm; hotter afternoons in Southern Africa’s low-lying parks
Wildlife highlight
Big concentrations at water and ongoing river crossings
Crowds & rates
Peak rates; slightly fewer US families once school starts
Plan a September safari

Where to go on safari in September

Where is the best safari in September?

Botswana is hard to beat. The Okavango Delta still holds water while the surrounding bush dries, drawing animals into a smaller area, and land-based camps in the Linyanti and Savute are known for predators. On the Chobe riverfront, elephant herds come down to drink and swim in impressive numbers.

Zambia and Zimbabwe are just as strong. South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi are in prime walking and canoeing season, and Hwange’s waterholes are crowded with elephants and buffalo. In South Africa, the Sabi Sand and Kruger are near their driest, with excellent visibility.

Is September good for the Great Migration and Tanzania?

Yes. Crossings typically continue in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s northern Serengeti through September, and with many US families back at school, peak-season crowds can thin a little. Our Great Migration guide explains the patterns.

Tarangire is at its finest late in the dry season, when large elephant herds gather along the Tarangire River beneath ancient baobabs. Ruaha and Nyerere in the south offer remote dry-season wilderness with few vehicles.

What should you avoid in September?

Most of Africa is on form, but a few details matter.

  • Underestimating the heat: by late September, the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys can be very hot at midday, so choose camps with shade and a pool.
  • Leaving gorilla permits too late: the drier season runs to about September, and permits for its final weeks still sell out.
  • Expecting a wall of spray at Victoria Falls: water is dropping, so views are clearer but the curtain of water is thinner, especially on the Zambian side.

Which beach or city pairs with a September safari?

Mauritius enters one of its best windows from about September to December, with settling weather and warming water, ideal after Botswana or South Africa. Zanzibar is still dry. Cape Town is in spring, with wildflowers and whale season peaking around Hermanus in September and October.

How far ahead should you book a September safari?

Nine to twelve months or more. Botswana’s best camps and the Mara River camps book early for September, and many travelers who miss out on August shift their plans here. Labor Day week is busier for US travelers.

Frequently asked questions

Why is September considered the best safari month?

September combines the benefits of the dry season, with sparse vegetation, animals concentrated at water and very little rain, with warm weather and ongoing Mara River crossings. Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa are at or near their best, and northern Tanzania’s Tarangire is superb. It’s still peak season, so book well ahead.

Are there still river crossings in September?

Usually, yes. The herds typically remain in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s northern Serengeti through September, crossing the Mara River in both directions. Crossings depend on the herds and the rains, so they can’t be guaranteed on any given day, but September is often one of the strongest months.

Is September too hot for a safari?

Not usually, though it’s warming up. East Africa’s highland parks are pleasant. In Southern Africa, mornings are mild and afternoons hot, especially in low-lying areas such as the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys, where late September can be very warm. Midday rest, a camp with a pool and light, breathable clothing keep it comfortable.

When can you see whales near Cape Town?

Southern right whales visit the Western Cape coast from about June to November, with September and October typically the peak, especially around Hermanus, roughly a two-hour drive from Cape Town. You can watch from the clifftop paths or join a licensed boat trip. It’s a lovely way to end a September safari.

Official sources

Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.

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