# Safari in January: Where to Go in Africa URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/safari-calendar/january Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Where to go on safari in January: calving begins in Tanzania’s southern Serengeti, Kenya’s short dry season, gorilla trekking and green-season value down south. **Quick answer:** January is one of East Africa’s best safari months. The short dry season brings sunny days to Kenya and Tanzania, the migration herds gather on the southern Serengeti’s short-grass plains as calving begins, and gorilla trekking is in a drier window. Southern Africa is in its green season: lush, hot and stormy, and often better value, especially in South Africa’s private reserves. - Top pick: Southern Serengeti & Ndutu, Tanzania (calving begins) - Also great: Maasai Mara & Amboseli; Rwanda and Uganda gorillas - Weather pattern: East Africa: short dry season, warm and sunny. Southern Africa: hot summer rains - Wildlife highlight: Herds on the southern plains, first calves and active predators - Crowds & rates: High season in East Africa after New Year’s; green-season rates in much of Southern Africa ## Where is the best safari in January? Head to East Africa. After the short rains of November and December, January is typically warm and mostly dry, with green grass and clear air. In Tanzania, the wildebeest and zebra herds settle on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area, and calving usually begins in late January, building to a February peak. Kenya’s short dry season makes January excellent in the Maasai Mara conservancies for resident lions, cheetahs and leopards, even without the migration. Amboseli often has clear mornings with Kilimanjaro on the horizon, and Samburu’s wildlife gathers along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. ## Is January a good month for gorilla trekking? Yes. December to February is one of the two drier windows in Rwanda and Uganda, so trails in Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi are usually less muddy than in the rainy months. Holiday and post-holiday permits are in demand, so secure them early; our gorilla trekking guide explains how. ## What is Southern Africa like for safari in January? It’s midsummer and the rainy season, with hot days and dramatic afternoon storms. That doesn’t rule it out: South Africa’s Sabi Sand and Kruger are lush, with young impala, migrant birds and fewer vehicles, and malaria-free Madikwe is a strong choice for families. Many lodges offer green-season rates outside the holiday weeks. Botswana is in its green season too. The Okavango’s water is low and some areas are harder to reach, but zebra may gather on the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pan grasslands, and many delta camps lower their rates. ## What should you avoid on a January safari? A few regions and dates are best skipped this month. - Zambia’s remote valleys: many bush camps in South Luangwa and most in the Lower Zambezi close for the rains, roughly November to April. - Counting on the Okavango flood: water is low, so mokoro trips are limited to permanent channels. - The New Year’s week: holiday rates and minimum stays often apply until early January. - Mauritius: its cyclone season peaks from about January to March, so choose another beach. ## Which beach pairs with a January safari, and when should you book? Zanzibar is ideal in January: hot, mostly dry and a short flight from the Serengeti. Kenya’s coast, from Diani to Lamu, is also in its dry season, and Cape Town is at its summer best if you’re combining a city with a South African safari. Book southern Serengeti calving camps 9 to 12 months ahead, since they’re seasonal and small, and secure January gorilla permits months in advance. ## Where to go on safari in January - **Southern Serengeti & Ndutu** (Tanzania · calving begins): Herds gather on the short-grass plains as calving builds toward February, with predators close behind. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/serengeti - **Ngorongoro Crater** (Tanzania): A green crater floor with lions and black rhino, easily paired with Ndutu. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/ngorongoro-crater - **Maasai Mara** (Kenya · short dry season): Superb resident big cats in the conservancies, with fewer vehicles than in migration season. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/maasai-mara - **Amboseli** (Kenya): Elephant herds and, on clear mornings, Kilimanjaro views. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/amboseli - **Volcanoes National Park** (Rwanda · drier window): Gorilla treks on firmer trails than in the rainy seasons. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/volcanoes-national-park - **Madikwe** (South Africa · malaria-free): Green-season Big Five viewing without malaria medication, ideal for families. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/madikwe ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Is January a good time for a safari in Africa?** A: Yes, especially in East Africa. January falls in the short dry season in Kenya and Tanzania, with sunny weather, green landscapes and the migration herds gathering in the southern Serengeti as calving begins. Southern Africa is hot and rainy, but its private reserves still offer good game viewing, newborn animals and lower green-season rates. **Q: Where is the Great Migration in January?** A: Usually on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. The herds graze the nutrient-rich grass that follows the short rains, and calving typically begins in late January, peaking in February. Exact positions shift with rainfall, so experienced guides track the herds daily. **Q: Is January rainy season in Africa?** A: It depends on the region. In Kenya and northern Tanzania, January is part of the short dry season between the November rains and the long rains that usually arrive around late March. In South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, it’s the heart of the summer rainy season, with hot days and afternoon thunderstorms rather than all-day rain. **Q: Can you climb Kilimanjaro in January?** A: Yes. January to early March is one of Kilimanjaro’s two main climbing seasons, with generally drier, clearer weather, and it’s often quieter than July and August. Climb first, then recover on a Serengeti safari and a Zanzibar beach. Choose a longer route for better acclimatization and travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking. ## Sources - [Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)](https://www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz) - [Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board)](https://magicalkenya.com) - [Visit Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board)](https://www.visitrwanda.com)