# Where to Travel in September URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/where-to-go/september Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 Where to travel in September: peak safari in Kenya and South Africa, Bora Bora’s dry season, Cape Town whale season, and a quieter Mediterranean. Booking tips. **Quick answer:** September is one of the best months of the year to travel. The Great Migration is typically still in the Maasai Mara, Southern Africa is deep in its dry season, and French Polynesia is dry with humpback whales offshore. Cape Town’s spring brings whale season to nearby Hermanus, and the Mediterranean stays warm with thinner crowds. - Top safari pick: Kruger & Sabi Sand or the Maasai Mara - Top beach pick: Bora Bora (dry season) - Top city pick: Cape Town (spring, whales nearby) - Best for corporate travel: Avoid NYC during UNGA week (typically late September) - Book by: Safari 9–12 months ahead; Europe 4–6 months ## Why is September good for safari, Cape Town, and the Mediterranean? September combines peak wildlife with shoulder-season comfort. In Kenya, the herds are typically still in the Maasai Mara. In South Africa’s Kruger and Sabi Sand and in Botswana, dry bush and shrinking waterholes make game viewing excellent. It’s spring in Cape Town, and southern right whales typically visit Walker Bay off Hermanus, roughly two hours’ drive away, from about June to November, with September and October usually best. In Europe, the August rush ends but the sea stays warm, a sweet spot for the Amalfi Coast and Santorini. ## What should you avoid in September? A few storms and events are worth planning around. - Atlantic hurricane season is typically at its peak in September; Caribbean and Gulf Coast trips need flexibility. - Typhoon season can affect Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. - Oktoberfest in Munich typically starts in mid-to-late September, and hotel rates soar. - China’s National Day Golden Week starts October 1, so avoid late-September trips that run into it. ## What should business travelers know about September? September is back-to-work month and one of the busiest for corporate travel. The UN General Assembly’s high-level week typically takes place in late September, when Midtown Manhattan hotels fill and traffic slows; avoid New York that week if you can. IFA typically brings the consumer electronics industry to Berlin in early September, and the Toronto International Film Festival typically runs in early-to-mid September. Oktoberfest also makes Munich one of the most expensive places in Europe to hold a meeting from late September into early October. ## How far ahead should you book September travel? Safari camps in September are still at peak demand, so 9–12 months is ideal. French Polynesia is a little less crowded than in July and August, so 6–9 months usually works. For New York during UNGA week or Munich during Oktoberfest, book as early as you can or plan around them. ## Best places to travel in September - **Kruger & Sabi Sand** (South Africa · Late dry season): Sparse bush and busy waterholes make for excellent leopard and Big Five sightings. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/kruger-and-sabi-sand - **Maasai Mara** (Kenya · Migration in the Mara): The herds are typically still in the Mara, with crossings possible and fewer visitors than August. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/kenya - **Bora Bora** (French Polynesia · Dry season): Sunny, breezy days and calm lagoon conditions, with humpback whales in the region. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/french-polynesia/bora-bora - **Cape Town & Winelands** (South Africa · Spring and whale season): Wildflowers, whale-watching from Hermanus’s cliff path, and spring in the vineyards. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/cape-town-and-winelands - **Volcanoes National Park** (Rwanda · End of dry season): Still a strong gorilla-trekking month before the short rains. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/africa/rwanda - **Amalfi Coast** (Italy · Warm sea, fewer crowds): Warm water and long lunches after the August rush ends. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/nap - **Santorini** (Greece · Late summer): Caldera views with softer heat and thinner crowds than midsummer. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/destinations/jtr - **Taha’a** (French Polynesia · Vanilla island): A quiet, lagoon-wrapped island known for vanilla farms, an easy pairing with Bora Bora. — https://emptvl.vercel.app/french-polynesia/tahaa ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Is September a good month to travel?** A: Yes, September is one of the strongest travel months of the year. Africa’s safari season is at its best, French Polynesia is dry, Cape Town is in spring with whale season nearby, and the Mediterranean is warm with fewer crowds than August. The main caution is the Caribbean, where the Atlantic hurricane season is typically at its peak. **Q: Can you see the Great Migration in September?** A: Yes. The herds are typically in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s northern Serengeti in September, with Mara River crossings still happening. Many travelers prefer September to August because the wildlife is similar and some camps have slightly better availability once school holidays end. Book camps near the river 9–12 months ahead. **Q: When is whale season in Hermanus?** A: Southern right whales typically visit Walker Bay, off Hermanus, from around June to November, with September and October usually the best months. Hermanus is roughly a two-hour drive from Cape Town, so it works as a day trip or an overnight. You can often see whales from the town’s cliff path, and boat trips get you closer. **Q: When is Oktoberfest?** A: Oktoberfest in Munich typically starts in mid-to-late September and runs for about 16 to 18 days, ending on or just after the first Sunday in October. Hotel rates in Munich rise sharply and rooms sell out early, which affects business travelers too. If you’re going, book your hotel and any tent reservations months ahead. ## Sources - [South African Tourism](https://www.southafrica.net/) - [Magical Kenya (Kenya Tourism Board)](https://magicalkenya.com/) - [National Hurricane Center (NOAA)](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/)