When is the best time to visit Africa?
The best time to visit Africa depends on the countries you are visiting and the time of the year. Here is an overview of Africa destinations to help you plan the perfect African tours.
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Botswana
Botswana offers the best game viewing experiences during the dry months of June to October. In October, while temperatures can rise up to 40 ° C during the day, they can drop below 10 ° C at night. The months of April and May are also suitable for a Botswana safari, although you have experience the occasional bout of rain as well.
- Best time to visit: June to October
- Watch out: Nights can be cold and chilly during the peak season, especially in the drier areas
Kenya
The best time to travel to Kenya is between mid-December to mid-March and from June to October. The country experiences heavy rainfall between April and June, and shorter spells of rain in November and December. However, with various parts of Kenya being accessible at different months, you can actually travel in Kenya throughout the year.
- Best time to visit: July to October
- Watch out: Expect chilly weather conditions in higher altitudes
Lesotho
Seasons in Lesotho are diametrically opposite to ours. While in winter, temperatures can dip to -15 ° C, summer days are uniformly pleasant at 30 ° C. Lesotho also experiences the occasional thunderstorm during the summer months. Spring and autumn are the best time to travel to Lesotho, with April and May being the ideal months.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Watch out: Great game watching opportunities, but nights can be as cold as -12°C
Malawi
In Malawi, the weather is distinctly different between summer, winter and the rainy season. While May to July are the cooler months, Malawi experiences warm weather between August and September. Road conditions are poor during the rainy months from the end of September until April, making it difficult to travel in Malawi. With the weather being generally quite warm throughout the year, we recommend travel to Malawi between the months of May to August or September.
- Best time to visit: June to August
- Watch out: Days are warm and cloudless but nights can be cold
Mauritius
Mauritius experiences warm and sunny weather with few variations between seasons. Beach holidays in Mauritius are possible at any time of the year, although there are possibilities of heavy storms in January and February. As the country is located in the southern hemisphere, expect dry weather with low humidity between the months of May to November.
- Best time to visit: September to January
- Watch out: The summer months typically get heavy rainfall with occasional thunderstorms
Morocco
Moroccan weather can be unpredictable from October through February and can vary from one year to the next; some winters are moderate and others are wet and cold. Generally, the months April, May, October and early November are the best time to visit Morocco for a more comfortable, temperate climate.
- Best time to visit: September and October
- Watch out: October is a busy month for tourism so please confirm your travel plans much in advance
Mozambique
In Mozambique too, the dry and wet seasons are distinctly different from one another. The dry weather lasts from April to September and is generally the best time to travel to Mozambique. As you travel inland, or to the south, the weather can be quite hot and humid during the rainy season.
- Best time to visit: June to October
- Watch out: Due to strong winds in August, visibility can be poor in some areas
Namibia
The sun shines down on Namibia throughout the year! Set in the southern hemisphere, Namibia can be quite cold in the dry winter months, with temperatures often dipping below the freezing point. The time between June to October is best for Namibia safaris.
- Best time to visit: April to June
- Watch out: By the end of June, temperatures as well as the amount of greenery begin to decrease steadily
Rwanda and Uganda
It is best to travel to Rwanda and Uganda during the long dry season between May to October or in the short dry season between December to March. Traveling in the rainy season is also possible as rainfall generally occurs in short, violent bursts. If you are interested in gorilla trekking, do keep in mind that Volcanoes National Park experiences plenty of rainfall throughout the year.
- Best time to visit: July to October
- Watch out: This being the dry season, food is harder to find in Nyungwe, so chimp families often retreat further into the forest.
Seychelles
The climate of Seychelles is determined by the winds that blow through the country! The North-West trade winds bring warm and humid weather between the months of October to March, while in January and February, the country receives a lot of rainfall. Seychelles experiences cool and dry weather between May to October, making these the best months for travel.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Watch out: These are the busiest months for tourism in Seychelles
South Africa
The climate varies significantly between regions, so the best time to travel in South Africa depends on what you wish to do. As the country is in the southern hemisphere, seasons in South Africa are opposite to ours. While Springtime, between August and October, is the ideal time for safaris, you can actually travel to South Africa all around the year. During the school holidays, between mid-December to mid-January, as well as in Easter, a large amount of local tourists flock to popular destinations. Thus, it is best to avoid traveling in popular South African destinations at this time.
- Best time to visit: May to October in the north and eastern parts; October to November and February to March in the Southern Cape region
- Watch out: Between May to August in the north and eastern parts, expect cool and dry weather with temperatures dipping below -12°C at night.
Tanzania
Tanzania is great for year round travel, so before you plan your trip, consider which activities and experiences are important to you. April and May are the least suitable months for travel to Tanzania as it rains heavily during this time.
- Best time to visit: July to October
- Watch out: It can get quite cold in the higher altitudes
Zambia
The best time to travel to Zambia is during the cool and dry months of May to August. The temperature is pleasantly mild at this time and it is also a great time for game viewing. In the hot and dry season, temperatures can rise up to 40 ° C, although this is also a great time for a safari in Zambia. While it is difficult to reach remote areas during the rainy season, this is also the best time for bird watching.
- Best time to visit: June to August
- Watch out: While the days are warm and cloudless, nights can be chilly!
Zimbabwe
The best time to visit Zimbabwe is between the cool, dry months of May and August. While the temperature is generally around 20 ° C during the daytime, nights are usually cooler. In the higher regions of Zimbabwe, temperatures can drop below freezing point. These months are also considered the best for safaris in Zimbabwe.
- Best time to visit: June to August
- Watch out: Pack warm winter clothes for morning game drives since temperatures can dip as low as 6°C
Best time to visit the Victoria Falls
With the summer rains just ended, the Victoria Falls are at their impressive best during the months of March and April. Expect to be thoroughly drenched by the spray from this show-stopper if you are visiting during this time. It’s also the ideal time for a scenic helicopter ride in the Victoria Falls, flying over the gushing cascade of water. The months of July and August are also considered the best time to visit Victoria Falls. Water levels are still impressive during this time and you can also visit the Devil’s Pool at the edge of the cliff and Livingstone Island located mid-river.
The Best Time to Visit Africa
Do you have more questions about the best time to visit Africa? Africa tours need to be planned well, especially if you wish to include several countries and experiences, such as safaris and beach holidays, into your itinerary. Let us experts plan the best African safari tours and advise you on the best time to visit Africa. Tell us your Africa travel dream and we will design your private and tailor-made Africa tour to match all your interests and preferences.
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Enchanting Travels custom-designed our African Adventure to include all the specific locations and activities we were interested in. We did not have to worry about any details and were free to enjoy the most extraordinary adventure that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our first visit to Africa, including activities at Victoria Falls, safari adventures with great guides, and all the accommodations were fantastic.
We were recommended by friends to use Enchanting travel to help plan our Africa Experience. From first contact to the conclusion of the trip Enchanting travel supported our every need and looked after every detail. Our trip was absolutely flawless and an experience of a life time. I would be happy to discuss our trip with any potential customers as we feel our agenda gave us the perfect overview of sights, culture and safari activities. We came home and feel we missed nothing.
This was truly an “Enchanting” adventure! The value and service was beyond excellent! The entire team ensured every detail was taken care of and went out of their way to welcome us! And every hotel and excursion was amazing, and we were greeted with welcoming open arms every where we stayed! Nothing was left to chance…and we felt so secure knowing Enchanting Travels had everything lined up for us! Even our lodges said Enchanting Travels was a top-notch company!
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