# Safari in August: Where to Go in Africa URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/safari-calendar/august Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Where to go on safari in August: peak Mara River crossings in Kenya, Botswana’s dry-season concentrations, and Zambia’s walking and canoeing camps. **Quick answer:** August is the classic peak of safari season. The Great Migration usually fills Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the northern Serengeti, with frequent Mara River crossings. Southern Africa is dry and cool, so wildlife gathers at water in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Weather is reliable almost everywhere, and so is demand: book 12 months or more ahead. - Top pick: Maasai Mara conservancies, Kenya (peak crossings) - Also great: Northern Serengeti; Okavango & Linyanti; South Luangwa; Lower Zambezi - Weather pattern: Dry; cool mornings and warming afternoons in Southern Africa - Wildlife highlight: Mara River crossings; wildlife concentrating at water - Crowds & rates: Peak season and peak rates; the Mara’s busiest month ## Where is the best safari in August? 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. ## Is August good for Southern Africa? 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. ## What should you avoid in August? Demand shapes most August pitfalls. - Booking late: August is the hardest month to find space at top camps in the Mara, the northern Serengeti and the Okavango. - Crowded crossing points inside national reserves: choose a conservancy base and a guide who knows the quieter crossing points. - Counting on Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls: it opens only once water levels drop far enough, often from around mid-August or later. - Overpacking: light-aircraft luggage limits, often 15–20 kg in soft bags, apply on most safari circuits. ## Which beach pairs with an August safari? 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. ## How far ahead should you book an August safari? 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. ## Where to go on safari in August - **Maasai Mara** (Kenya · peak crossings): Herds across the plains and frequent river crossings, best from a conservancy base. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/maasai-mara - **Northern Serengeti** (Tanzania): Crossings around Kogatende, often with fewer vehicles than the Mara reserve. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/serengeti - **Okavango Delta** (Botswana): Floodwaters still high, with land camps producing big predators. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/okavango-delta - **Chobe** (Botswana): Elephant herds gather on the riverfront as inland water dries up. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/chobe - **South Luangwa** (Zambia): Walking safaris and leopards in the heart of the dry season. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/south-luangwa - **Lower Zambezi** (Zambia): Canoe past elephants and hippos beneath the escarpment. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/lower-zambezi ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Is August the best month for a safari?** A: For many travelers, yes. August combines reliable dry weather across East and Southern Africa with the Great Migration in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the northern Serengeti, plus excellent game viewing at waterholes in Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. The trade-off is peak rates and demand, so book a year or more ahead. **Q: Where is the Great Migration in August?** A: Usually in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s northern Serengeti, on both sides of the Mara River. August and September are often the peak of crossing season, with herds crossing back and forth repeatedly. Exact positions vary with rainfall, so staying near the river for three or four nights gives you the best odds. **Q: Is August a good time for gorilla trekking?** A: Yes. August falls in the drier June-to-September window in Rwanda and Uganda, so trails are usually firmer and treks more comfortable, though rain is always possible in mountain rainforest. Demand for permits is high, so book four to six months or more ahead and combine your trek with a Kenya or Tanzania safari. **Q: Is it cold on safari in August?** A: Mornings can be cold, especially in Southern Africa and on open vehicles, while days are warm and sunny. By late August, temperatures are climbing in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The Mara and Serengeti, at altitude, have cool mornings and pleasant days. Layers, a fleece and a light down jacket cover most conditions. ## Sources - [Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board)](https://magicalkenya.com) - [Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association](https://maraconservancies.org) - [Zambia Tourism Agency](https://www.zambiatourism.com)