Whales
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Southern right whales along the Cape coast
Hermanus, South Africa
Whales are most often seen from May to November, with Hermanus a strong land-based viewing base.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Month by month
Where to go, month by month
Choose your travel month and we will show you which of our regions are at their best, with the stays that are open then.
16 of 16 core destinations coveredCore country coverage complete
Event
Aug, Sep
Umhlanga Reed Dance window
Lobamba, Eswatini
The eight-day ceremony is generally held in late August or early September; exact dates are confirmed close to the event.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Climate
May, Jun, Jul
Winter snow in the highlands
Maloti Mountains, Lesotho
May to July is the core winter window, when snow is possible in the Maloti Mountains and warm mountain gear is essential.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Wildlife
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Etosha dry-season game viewing
Etosha, Namibia
Wildlife viewing is strongest from May to October as animals are easier to see around waterholes in cooler, drier conditions.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Water levels
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Okavango flood-season landscapes
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Delta’s flood pulse arrives during Botswana’s dry months; exact water levels vary by year, so current local conditions should be checked.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Water levels
Mar, Apr, May
Victoria Falls peak-flow period
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Zambezi flows over Victoria Falls typically peak from March to May, while October and November bring the lowest average flows.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Water levels
Apr, May, Jun, Jul
High-water Falls viewing
Victoria Falls, Zambia
April to about July is the strongest broad window for viewing the Falls from the Zambian side before river levels ease.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Seasonal closures
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec
Seasonal camp closures during the rains
South Luangwa and Kafue, Zambia
Many remote Zambian camps close for part of the November-to-May rainy period as roads and floodplains become difficult to access. Exact opening dates vary by camp and must be confirmed.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Climate
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Drier coastal travel season
Coast and archipelagos, Mozambique
May to September sits within the broad dry season and suits many coast, marine and reserve combinations.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Whales
Jul, Aug, Sep
Humpback whale season
Sainte-Marie and other coasts, Madagascar
Humpback whales are commonly observed from July through September, sometimes extending into October, at several Malagasy coasts.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Wildlife
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Green-season wildlife and birding
Serengeti and northern circuit, Tanzania
The green season brings refreshed landscapes, dramatic skies, migratory birdlife and lower visitor pressure in many areas.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Migration
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Maasai Mara migration window
Maasai Mara, Kenya
The broad migration viewing window in the Maasai Mara runs from July to October; crossings and herd positions remain weather-dependent.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Gorillas
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Easier dry-season gorilla trails
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
June to mid-September is the main dry season, when roads and forest paths are generally easier to navigate.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Gorillas
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Gorilla trekking in drier months
Bwindi and Mgahinga, Uganda
Gorilla tracking operates year-round; the drier June-to-September window generally offers firmer forest trails.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Wildlife
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Dry-season wildlife viewing
National parks and reserves, Malawi
May to October is the broad dry-season safari window, with September and October particularly strong around remaining water.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Wildlife
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Sooty tern nesting season
Bird Island, Seychelles
Large numbers of sooty terns nest on Bird Island from April to October, with courtship and egg laying strongest earlier in the season.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Climate
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cooler hiking season
Mauritius
May to October brings cooler conditions that generally suit hiking, while the island remains a year-round destination.
Source ↗Verified 30/07/2026Build around the right season
Calendar guidance is broad. The itinerary builder still checks the actual published stays and will not substitute another destination when your requested location is unavailable.
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