In this post you can find out the best places to travel in Africa by month.
Where to Travel in Africa in January
January is an absolutely fantastic time of year to be visiting Africa, with many of our destinations being absolutely beautiful.
Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda all boast some of their best game-viewing conditions at this time of year.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s Northern Circuit boasts arguably the best game-viewing in the world during January, as the Wildebeest Migration’s calving season is in full-swing in the Ndutu region of the southern Serengeti.
With more than 10,000 young wildebeest born each day, predator numbers are especially high, making this an ideal time to spot cheetahs, leopards, and lions on the hunt. Combining the Serengeti and Ngorongoro at this time of year is a terrific choice.
January is one of the most popular times of year to visit Zanzibar, with conditions being excellent for an extended beach escape.
Kenya
While Kenya does not play host to the Wildebeest Migration in January, it is nevertheless still home to its own calving season as many animals give birth in this time of plenty.
Like Tanzania, the abundance of easy prey makes for a buffet for predators. You’ll have an excellent chance of catching a cheetah or lion on the hunt!
Conditions on the Kenyan Coast are also terrific for those wanting a beach escape.
Rwanda
The pleasant weather in January makes for terrific gorilla trekking conditions. With pleasant temperatures and occasional rainfall, it is a good alternative to the hotly contested peak season months of June – September.
Uganda
Part of Uganda’s short dry season, January is an absolutely fantastic time to visit the Pearl of Africa. Both gorilla-trekking and game drive conditions are excellent, with the cooler temperatures in Bwindi-Impenetrable making it an especially popular time for the often gruelling gorilla trek.
Ethiopia
January is a terrific time of year to visit Ethiopia, with an average of just two rainy days in the month. This makes it an ideal time to visit the country, whose roads do not always hold up to the rainier months of the wet season.
Botswana
Marked by spectacular thunderstorms, January is nonetheless a great time to visit Botswana for two reasons: it is breeding season for the country’s dazzling variety of birds and the overcast conditions make for truly spectacular photography.
While game drives and game viewing aren’t at their best in January, you can still have an unforgettable safari experience in Botswana, with predators especially easy to spot against the vivid green of the lush grass.
Zimbabwe
With rainy season in full swing in Zimbabwe, you won’t have to deal with the usual crowds, but you may encounter less than ideal road conditions in some of the national parks. The thick vegetation does also mean game-viewing can be a little more difficult.
This translates into good prices, however, with many luxury properties offering competitive rates. If you’re looking to combine your safari experience with some five-star pampering, it’s a great time to visit.
South Africa
While rainy conditions in Kruger National Park make for less than ideal game-viewing in January, the hot summer weather is perfect for those wanting to experience the beaches and scenic drives of this gorgeous country.
Taking a tour of the Garden Route, exploring Cape Town, relaxing on the beaches, or paying a visit to wine country are all ideal activities during January.
For history buffs, the Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal are a popular choice this month, as it marks the anniversary of such famed battles as the Battle of Rorke’s Drift.
Namibia
Namibia is at the peak of a hot, humid summer in January, which makes it a less than ideal choice if you can’t stand the heat.
Birdwatching is especially good at this time of year, with the pink flamingos of Swakopmund and the birds of the Caprivi Strip being a popular choice.
Mozambique
We do not recommend travel to Mozambique at this time of year, as it is the beginning of their rainy season. Cyclones and intense storms are not uncommon along the coast.
Where to Travel in Africa in February
February is a time of contrasting fortunes in Africa, with some countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia enjoying terrific conditions, while Mozambique and Namibia are in their least desirable seasons.
Botswana, South Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda enjoy good conditions at this time of year as well, although each country also has its weaknesses.
The undisputed king in February is Tanzania, where the Wildebeest Migration’s calving season sees more than 500,000 wildebeest born in a single month!
Tanzania
The calving season of the Wildebeest Migration is in full-swing come February, making this one of Tanzania’s mini peak seasons. Mobile camps in the Ndutu region of the Serengeti/Ngorongoro do brisk business as people travel from all over the world to see the beginnings of the massive animal movement.
More than 500,000 Wildebeest are born in the month of February, making it an ideal time to spot both the massive herd and the predators who prey on them.
Kenya
While Tanzania is where the action is for the Wildebeest Migration, Kenya is nonetheless worthwhile during the hot, dry month of February. With many water sources within the parks drying up, herbivores and carnivores are forced closer together in order to access water. This is the perfect recipe for those wishing to see a hunt or kill.
Rwanda
With warm weather and less rain, February is a popular time to visit Rwanda for gorilla trekking. Towards the end of the month, rains begin to increase again, so it’s a good idea to arrange your gorilla trekking earlier in the month to avoid a slippery climb!
Uganda
Like neighbouring Rwanda, Uganda enjoys terrific conditions and sunny weather during the month of February. This is great for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking, as well as providing excellent conditions for game drives in parks like Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls.
Ethiopia
Dry conditions in Ethiopia make for safe roads and pleasant weather – the perfect opportunity to trekking in the Simien Mountains or observing the antelope migration in Gambela National Park.
Botswana
February is a fascinating time in Botswana, with the Kalahari slowly beginning to come to life as the grasslands begin to draw in herds of grazing animals. Ripe figs attract fruit bats and the Okavango well and truly comes alive thanks to recent rains.
While you will still have to contend with occasional daily rain, the lush greenery and burst of bird, insect, reptile, and mammal life in the region makes this a truly special time of year to be in Botswana.
Zimbabwe
As with January, February is part of Zimbabwe’s rainy season. This translates into brilliantly green scenery and lower crowds within national parks, but you’ll need to contend with daily showers and occasionally bad road conditions.
Game viewing is nonetheless terrific due to it being calving season, and those wishing to raft along the Zambezi River will find conditions quite perfect.
South Africa
February is a perfect time to visit South Africa, with conditions in both Kruger National Park and along the picturesque Garden Route quite spectacular.
With the high temperatures, Cape Town and other beach destinations tend to be in high demand, so you need to either book early or be prepared to pay extra to secure a booking.
Namibia
Like January, February does not offer ideal conditions in Namibia. Hot humid days give way to afternoon downpours, but this remains a good time of year to spot flamingos and other bird life.
Mozambique
The rainy season and cyclone conditions continue in Mozambique through February, making it a less than ideal holiday destination.
Where to Travel in Africa in March
March sees the beginning of low season in many countries, which means popular destinations like Tanzania and Kenya see less crowds. Rwanda and Uganda are in the beginning of their rainy season, making gorilla trekking a less pleasant (but still very possible) experience.
Conversely, Botswana and Zimbabwe are at their very best, making a Southern African safari the ideal solution.
Tanzania
While not quite as good as January or February, March is still a good option for those wishing to experience the Wildebeest Migration outside of the traditional June – September peak season. The Ndutu and Seronera regions of the Serengeti are where the action is.
With rainy season on the horizon, prices tend to decrease and crowds are on the wane, making this a good time to capitalize in pleasant weather and less crowded hotels.
Kenya
Kenya remains a good option in March, although the lack of the Wildebeest Migration and the approach of rainy season does mean that Tanzania is a much better option for your safari.
Rwanda
With rainy season beginning, conditions for gorilla trekking decline sharply in the month of March. While it is still possible to venture into Volcanoes National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park for primate viewing, you’ll need to contend with slippery mountains, ankle-deep mud, and primates who have a lot more places to find water.
Uganda
March is low season in Uganda, with rainier conditions making the popular primate trekking activities less appetizing.
The national parks still remain good for game drives, but those wishing to combine these with primate trekking might be best served waiting until later in the year.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s high season begins to wind down in March, but conditions remain favourable for game drives and trekking. It is a terrific time to visit.
Botswana
March is a fantastic time to experience Botswana’s Okavango Delta, with the recent months of rain translating into fabulous conditions to experience the wetlands.
Combining your Okavango experience with a visit to Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe is a terrific option at this time of year.
Zimbabwe
With the rainy season winding down, March presents perhaps the best conditions in Zimbabwe so far. The country is awash with…