Best time to visit Africa

Updated: 09th December 2020

Africa typically experiences two seasons: wet and dry. The climate during these seasons can vary greatly according to a country’s topography, altitude and proximity to the coastline. This can have a huge impact on what travellers will be able to see and do during their vacation. Wildlife behaviour, park accessibility, temperature and appeal of beach hotspots are all dramatically affected by the rainfall or lack of it that accompanies Africa’s wet and dry seasons. Our destinations focus mainly on southern and east Africa so continue reading to learn about the pros and cons of visiting these regions in each season.

Giraffe in Masai Mara - East Africa safaris - On The Go Tours
The Masai Mara reserve in East Africa is considered a year-round destination

East Africa

In east Africa you'll find superb game viewing opportunities in Kenya and Tanzania with the world-famous Masai Mara reserve, the Serengeti and UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Crater. Off the coast of Tanzania lies the Zanzibar archipelago, which makes the perfect beach addition to a safari adventure, while next door to Kenya lies Uganda and the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

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Seasons

When is the wet season in East Africa?

Normally, east Africa experiences two rainy seasons. The first of these occurs between March and May and the second happens from mid-October to mid-December. Although wildlife is usually harder to spot during the rainy seasons, the landscape during this time takes on a vivid green colour thanks to the hydrated plant life, making it the most beautiful time to visit. Another benefit of travelling during this time is that the parks will be much less crowded and the experience will be significantly cheaper.

When is the dry season in East Africa?

The periods between June and October and December to February are considered the best times to go on safari in this part of Africa if you are hoping to see as much wildlife as possible. The lack of water means that the remaining water holes become much more crowded as animals have fewer drinking options. The temperatures during the dry season are also much more bearable with the days warm and sunny and the evenings cooling off.

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