Quick answer
Reviewed · 4 min read
For most of Africa, the best safari time is the dry season, roughly June to October, when vegetation thins and animals gather at water, making them easier to find. East Africa adds a second strong window around January and February. The green season, roughly November to April, brings lush scenery, newborn animals, birdlife and lower rates, along with more rain and heat.
Researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel · How we research
- Prime season
- Dry season, about June–October
- East Africa bonus
- About January–February
- Green season
- About November–April, better value
- Okavango floods
- Peak around June–August
Dry season vs Green season, side by side
- Months (most regions)
- Dry seasonAbout June–OctoberGreen seasonAbout November–April
- Game viewing
- Dry seasonEasier: thin bush, animals at waterGreen seasonHarder to spot, but newborns and active predators
- Scenery
- Dry seasonDry, golden and dustyGreen seasonLush, green, dramatic skies
- Weather
- Dry seasonCool mornings, warm days, little rainGreen seasonHot and humid, with afternoon storms
- Rates and crowds
- Dry seasonPeak rates; book earlyGreen seasonLower rates at many camps; fewer vehicles
- Best for
- Dry seasonFirst safaris and classic game viewingGreen seasonPhotographers, birders, repeat visitors, value
| Compare | Dry season | Green season |
|---|---|---|
| Months (most regions) | About June–October | About November–April |
| Game viewing | Easier: thin bush, animals at water | Harder to spot, but newborns and active predators |
| Scenery | Dry, golden and dusty | Lush, green, dramatic skies |
| Weather | Cool mornings, warm days, little rain | Hot and humid, with afternoon storms |
| Rates and crowds | Peak rates; book early | Lower rates at many camps; fewer vehicles |
| Best for | First safaris and classic game viewing | Photographers, birders, repeat visitors, value |
The verdict: First-time safari travelers should aim for the dry season for the most reliable sightings. Repeat visitors, photographers and value-minded travelers often love the green season, especially in the shoulder months.
Why is the dry season best for game viewing?
As the dry season advances, grass dies back and trees lose their leaves, so animals are easier to see. Water becomes scarce, drawing wildlife to rivers and waterholes, which concentrates sightings and predator action. Tracks are more passable, and there are fewer mosquitoes.
The dry season roughly runs from June to October across East and Southern Africa. It overlaps Northern Hemisphere summer holidays, so it’s also peak season for rates and availability; book early.
What are the advantages of the green season?
The green season, roughly November to April in much of Southern Africa, with the long rains around April and May in East Africa, has real advantages: lush landscapes, dramatic skies, newborn animals, migratory birds and fewer vehicles. Many camps lower their rates or offer stay-longer deals.
Rain usually comes as afternoon storms rather than all-day downpours, though some remote camps close in the wettest months. Shoulder months such as November and early April often give the best of both; see our shoulder season definition.
When is the best time for Botswana and the Okavango Delta?
Botswana is unusual. The Okavango Delta’s floodwaters come from rain that falls months earlier in the Angolan highlands, so the Delta is fullest around June to August, in the middle of the dry season. That’s when mokoro trips are at their best and wildlife crowds onto the islands.
September and October bring outstanding game viewing as everything dries out, along with intense heat, especially in October. The green season from November to March offers lower rates, newborns and excellent birding. Compare destinations in our South Africa vs Botswana guide.
When should you see Victoria Falls and the gorillas?
Victoria Falls is at its most powerful after the rains, roughly March to May, when the spray can hide the view and soak you. Later in the year, as the water drops, you see more of the rock face, and Devil’s Pool on the Zambian side opens for swimming at the lip of the falls once water is low enough.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda runs year-round. The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, mean less mud, but the rainforest is never truly dry; see our gorilla trekking guide.
Best months by safari destination
Kenya
About July–October; January–February
Mara River crossings in the dry season, and good game viewing in the short dry spell early in the year.
ExploreTanzania
About June–October; January–February
Northern Serengeti crossings and dry-season parks mid-year; southern Serengeti calving early in the year.
ExploreBotswana
About June–October
The Okavango’s floodwaters peak in the dry winter, concentrating wildlife; November to March is lush green season.
ExploreSouth Africa (Kruger)
About May–September
The dry winter thins the bush and draws animals to waterholes; summer is hot, green and great for birding.
ExploreVictoria Falls
Depends on what you want
Most water and spray from about March to May; clearer views and Devil’s Pool in the low-water months later in the year.
ExploreRwanda and Uganda
About June–September; December–February
Gorilla trekking runs year-round; the drier months mean less mud on the trails.
ExploreNamibia
About July–October
Etosha’s waterholes draw wildlife in the dry season, and the desert landscapes impress year-round.
Explore
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for a safari in Africa?
Is it worth going on safari in the rainy season?
When is the best time to visit Botswana for a safari?
When is the best time to visit Kruger and the Sabi Sand?
When is the cheapest time to go on safari?
Official sources
Rules, fees and schedules change — confirm the latest details at the source before you travel.