Explaining the seasons...

Some basics...

• The southern winter runs from around May to early August - by northern standards it's not much of a winter, by African standards it's the best!

• Our seasons in Africa aren't as well defined by comparison with what you'll find in North America or Europe.  They become less defined as you move north from Cape Town towards Nairobi.

• Migrant birds join us during our southern summer months from mid-October and then leave from around mid-March

• Game movements are generally determined by the availability of water, fresh grazing and browsing sources.  Rains will generally disperse browsers and their attendant predators, dry seasons inevitably lead to larger concentrations around remaining water sources.  

• So as a rule, game is best at the end of the dry season when temperatures are high and water sources are short; birds are best when the summer is wet and green. 

In Southern Africa, summer rains and dry winters...

The wet and dry seasons have a significant effect on game conditions. The dry season generally runs from May to October through the southern fall, winter and into spring. Game conditions generally improve as the season gets drier and wildlife tends to concentrate near remaining water sources.  

The summer wet season itself, also referred to as the "green season", generally starting with fresh rains in November heralds the arrival of migrant birds as mammals disperse in search of fresh growth - the bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, game viewing deteriorates. The summer rains are generally characterized by torrential downpours followed by sunshine during the day.  Deep rains and flood conditions, if they occur, hammer us in January and February. The wet season generally makes the remoter areas inaccessible.

In Southern Africa, moderate winters, hot summers...

Temperatures during the southern winter in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana are moderate and generally very comfortable by comparison with those experienced in the northern climes…as an example, a mid-winter lower Zambezi canoe safari can be tackled in shorts, rafters and T-shirt with a fleece and joggers to ward off the evening chill - temperatures at the time will rarely drop below 13 degrees Celsius.  (At higher altitudes in Hwange or the Nyika Plateau night time temperatures would approach freezing.)

On the other hand the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys experience extremely high temperatures just before the rains - we regard October and November as our "suicide months" with day time temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and not dropping below 30 degrees for nights on end. This time of year is exceptionally good for game, but you have to be quite dedicated to handle the heat!  (Some of us get excused from safari duties and go marketing in the northern hemisphere...religiously.)

In mid November our rains usually start.  It's a release from about six weeks of hell for local residents and insects alike!  (We always arrange to gather bucket loads of flying ants and prepare for the tiger fishing season between December and March.)

In East Africa, long and short rains...

Southern and western Tanzania (Ruaha, Selous and Katavi) are the real "transition zone" in terms of climate and in many cases game species between Southern Africa and East Africa. 

Further north in the Serengeti and in Kenya, the short rains fall in November and December...actually light rains.  In April and May we have the long rains.  Characterized by violent thunderstorms and massive downpours and then the sun comes out!  Many areas become inaccessible in the cotton soil.

The migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara is East Africa's greatest wildlife spectacle.  Spend a moment coming to grips with how this annual clockwise migration between the Masai Mara in Kenya and the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti ecosystem works.... (go to the migration maps)

Best safari seasons....

• The wet season is best for bird watching but access particularly into the Luangwa is very limited
• "Green season" safaris are a specialty at certain camps in Zambia - available on request

• September sees the start of the inbound bird migrations and birding remains excellent throughout the wet season.
• This applies to all areas except Matusadona which we consider to be a good safari spot at any time of year.
• Mana Pools is practically inaccessible other than by canoe in the wet season between December and April.
• Zambezi white water rafting is best during low water season - this usually starts mid-July and ends early January - improving as the season progresses

• Seasonal changes have quite a big influence on safaris - movement of water through the Okavango needs to be understood
• The Okavango is best from July to October, Moremi and Chobe from May to October each year

Namibia is generally good year round particularly if done on a fly in basis

• The "little rain" usually occurs between October and December, the heavy rains fall from about February to late March
• Access by road in the north from the Kaokoveld through the Kavango and Caprivi Strip is extremely difficult or simply impossible during and just after the heavy rains.

Tanzania needs to be divided:

• The Ruaha and Selous are at their absolute best between August and October, access out of season is possible on a fly in basis.  Selous has some special spots on the green season from November to April.
• Katavi and Mahale are very best from October to December, off limits April and May
• The Serengeti is actually viable year round, for the migration: January to April, the dry season best from July to October (beat the crowds time).  We have some very specific ideas for October/November - just as the seasons change!

Kenya is good year round, best from July to October: 

• The migration is truly best in August and September
• Crowds may be the main determinant...speak to us
• The Kenyan coast has spectacular sunshine from late July to early April but is wet from May to July

Rwanda and Uganda are good year round, best from June to August: 

• If gorillas are your main interest then permits are the priority not weather.  Permits are in most demand from June to October (book at least a year in advance).
• June to August are driest, theoretically the easiest treks.  March to May "usually" the wettest months.

The Season Table

The seasonal table and our legend should be used as a guide only 

• consider the Kafue "strictly off limits" as indicated by a no-go, yet we've marked Mana Pools as no-go for 5 months which it's not if you're planning a canoe trip?
• Namibia is regarded good or excellent countrywide, year round.  Don't even dream of undertaking a quick mobile into the Marienfluss in March - you'll get back to Windhoek only if you're lucky!
• The East African migration is determined by rains and whilst the seasons might have become a bit less predictable we can guarantee access to the migration anytime during July-October and January to March...the June and November "shoulder" periods are probably the best times to be in the area though...read our notes on "planning a migration safari" at any time of year
• ...use this as a guide...

White Water Rafting at Victoria Falls

Rafting at Victoria Falls is dependent on the Zambezi water levels.  

• In a nutshell, low water is the most exciting season.  This runs from around mid July to early January with water levels dropping progressively until the lowest levels are reached during December and January.  
• Our annual rains start in the middle of November but it's only in January that the headwaters start hitting the falls and levels climb again.  The flood peak usually hits us in the Falls around Easter time.  Operations stop when the floods are at their peak between mid March to around end April.

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