# Safari in November: Where to Go in Africa URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/safari-calendar/november Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Where to go on safari in November: low-season value in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, herds heading south through the Serengeti and impala lambs in South Africa. **Quick answer:** November is a shoulder month with real rewards. East Africa’s short rains usually bring brief showers, green grass and lower rates, while the migration herds move south through the Serengeti and the Mara’s resident cats stay put. In Southern Africa, the first rains bring migrant birds and, toward month’s end, impala lambs. Many of Zambia’s remote bush camps close early in the month. - Top pick: Maasai Mara conservancies, Kenya (green, quiet, lower rates) - Also great: Eastern & central Serengeti; Sabi Sand & Kruger; Madikwe - Weather pattern: East Africa: short rains, usually brief showers. Southern Africa: heat breaking with the first storms - Wildlife highlight: Herds heading south; migrant birds arrive; impala lambing begins late in the month - Crowds & rates: Shoulder or green-season rates in most areas, except Thanksgiving week ## Where is the best safari in November? Kenya’s Maasai Mara is a smart choice. After the migration departs, the conservancies remain rich in resident lions, cheetahs and leopards, the grass greens with the short rains, and rates and vehicle numbers fall. Showers usually come in the afternoon or overnight rather than all day. In Tanzania, the herds typically move south through the eastern and central Serengeti, heading for the southern plains. The central Serengeti’s resident big cats are excellent year-round, and the landscape turns green quickly once the rains arrive. ## Is November good for Southern Africa? Yes, especially in South Africa’s private reserves. The first summer storms break the heat, the bush turns green almost overnight, and migrant birds arrive from Europe and elsewhere in Africa. Toward the end of November, impala begin dropping their lambs, which draws predators. The Sabi Sand and Kruger and malaria-free Madikwe all offer good value. In Botswana, early November can still feel like the end of the dry season, with game concentrated and temperatures high, before the green season takes hold and many camps move to lower rates. ## What should you avoid in November? The seasonal switch closes some doors as others open. - Zambia’s remote camps: many bush camps in South Luangwa and most Lower Zambezi camps close in early to mid-November for the rains. - Victoria Falls for spray: water is at or near its lowest, and the Zambian side may be almost dry. - Gorilla trekking without rain gear: the short rains make trails in Rwanda and Uganda muddier, though treks continue. - Last-minute Thanksgiving plans: that week books up early at family-friendly lodges. ## Which beach pairs with a November safari? The Seychelles are in their calm transition season, with light winds and good visibility for snorkeling, and Mauritius is warm and sunny ahead of its cyclone season. Zanzibar’s short rains usually arrive as brief showers, so it remains a good post-safari option. Our Mauritius vs Seychelles comparison helps you choose. ## How far ahead should you book a November safari? Four to eight months is often enough, except for Thanksgiving week, which deserves 9 to 12 months. Shoulder-season offers are common in Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana, so ask about stay-longer deals. ## Where to go on safari in November - **Maasai Mara** (Kenya · short rains): Resident big cats, green plains and fewer vehicles at lower rates. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/maasai-mara - **Serengeti** (Tanzania · herds heading south): Wildebeest moving through the eastern and central Serengeti toward the southern plains. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/serengeti - **Kruger & Sabi Sand** (South Africa · first rains): Green bush, migrant birds and, late in the month, newborn impala. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/kruger-and-sabi-sand - **Madikwe** (South Africa · malaria-free): Family-friendly Big Five viewing at green-season rates. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/madikwe - **Amboseli** (Kenya): Elephant families on fresh grass, with Kilimanjaro views between showers. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/parks/amboseli - **Botswana** (Early green season): End-of-dry-season concentrations in early November, then lower green-season rates. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/botswana ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Is November a good month for a safari?** A: Yes, for value-minded and repeat travelers. East Africa’s short rains are usually light, the Maasai Mara’s resident wildlife is excellent and rates fall after migration season. South Africa’s private reserves turn green, with migrant birds and newborn impala late in the month. Avoid Zambia’s remote valleys, where many camps close for the rains. **Q: Where is the Great Migration in November?** A: Usually moving south through Tanzania’s eastern and central Serengeti as the short rains begin, heading for the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, where the herds spend the wet season. Some may linger in the north early in the month. Because the herds are on the move, a central Serengeti camp makes a flexible base. **Q: Does it rain a lot on safari in November?** A: Usually not much. East Africa’s short rains tend to fall as brief afternoon or overnight showers, with plenty of sunshine in between. In Southern Africa, November brings the first summer thunderstorms, often dramatic but short. Pack a light rain jacket, and expect lush scenery and fewer vehicles in return. **Q: When is impala lambing season?** A: In South Africa’s bushveld, impala typically give birth around late November and December, after a pregnancy of roughly six to seven months that follows the autumn rut. The lambs arrive within a few weeks of one another, which overwhelms predators. It’s a wonderful time for families and photographers in the Sabi Sand, Kruger and Madikwe. ## Sources - [Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board)](https://magicalkenya.com) - [South African Tourism](https://www.southafrica.net/us/en) - [Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)](https://www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz)