A typical day on an African safari

Where to go when for the perfect safari

Where to go when for the perfect safari : Do you have a dream of driving a 4×4 and coming upon savannahs teeming with wildlife? Safaris provide a glimpse into the world’s most unspoiled environments and magnificent animals, making them a popular dream safariĀ vacation for many people. Here’s the inside scoop on where to go on safari, whether you’re looking for tigers in the jungles of India or the Big Five on the endless plains of Africa. Our selection of top safari destinations is available for trips from January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December.

January to March.

Tanzania.

Tanzania is still sunny and dry, but many African safari destinations are about to enter their rainy season. The Serengeti becomes lush and green after rains in November and December, drawing herds of wildebeest to the southern Ndutu area to graze and give birth. This leads to hunts by hyenas, big cats, and wild dogs that bite nails. Explore the Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks to see a kaleidoscope of colourful birds. You can also look for lions that climb trees and massive herds of elephants that meander among twisted baobab trees. Remain in luxury treehouses and safari lodges with lake views.

Kenya.

Take advantage of Kenya’s hot, dry weather during this time of year, which is ideal for safari sightings along important watercourses. There’s plenty more to discover in the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s safari destination known for its enormous herds of grazing game, Big Five beasts, and regal cats. Although less well-known, Laikipia has more wildlife than the Maasai Mara. Amboseli offers spectacular views of Kilimanjaro as spear-tusked elephants parade across the plains, and the Great Rift Valley is a birdwatcher’s dream, home to flamingos, pelicans, and migrating birds. Look for the Special Five in arid, empty Samburu: the Somali ostrich, gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, and Beisa oryx.

April to June.

In Botswana, the dry season is here, with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. For Big Five safaris from some of Africa’s best lodges, such as Chobe Game Lodge and Camp Xakanaxa, visit Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve. Add a side trip to the Okavango Delta for the ultimate safari experience. This time of year, the delta maintains its water levels, drawing thirsty animals to its network of waterways. Discover the area in a traditional mokoro or by boat safari to witness herds of bathing elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and birds. Helicopter rides over the Delta offer a unique perspective of this UNESCO wonder from above.

July to September.

Zimbabwe.

The dry season in Zimbabwe is well underway, luring wildlife to essential water sources for breathtaking sightings. Experience a luxurious base for game drives and walking safaris with a tented suite at Nyamatusi, the luxurious location for a Zambezi water safari in Mana Pools National Park. Huge herds of elephants and big cats alike are drawn to Hwange National Park by a system of artificial waterholes. Assist in delivering supplies to these vital water sources by participating in pump runs and parking your vehicle for wildlife observation sessions. Even the white rhinos that have been brought back to Hwange can be met. The UNESCO-listed Victoria Falls, which daredevils can experience by ziplining or taking a helicopter ride, should be included in your itinerary.

Rwanda.

Make advance plans to secure a highly sought-after gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda if you’ve always wanted to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. With dry weather and temperatures in the teens to mid-twenties, this is the best time of year to go trekking and see these endangered animals. Make Volcanoes National Park your home base; it is home to about 340 gorillas. Retire to a luxurious lodge located just outside the park after exhausting days of breathtaking sightings. One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and Wilderness Sabyinyo offer everything from treehouse suites to fireside dinners with views of the volcano, infinity pools, and massages to soothe sore trekking muscles.

Where to go when for the perfect safari
Mountain Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park

Tanzania and Kenya.

Want to be in the front row of the best wildlife show in the world? Visit the Maasai Mara or Serengeti to see the Great Migration. Massive herds of zebra, wildebeest, and antelope start their annual journey from the scorched Serengeti in the early summer and cross the Mara River to reach the lush plains of the Maasai Mara in August. Take in the action on thrilling game drives that include big cat hunts and river crossings plagued by crocodiles, or take a hot air balloon ride.

Exquisite tented safari camps in the Out-of-Africa style are available in both countries; these include the original Governors’ in Kenya, which is the setting for the BBC’s Big Cat Diaries, and Serengeti Bushtops in Tanzania. In addition to exploring traditional Maasai villages and going on guided bushwalks and sundowners, you’ll get to experience 4×4 safari drives. Take a beach break on the sun-drenched Mombasa Coast or the spice-infused Zanzibar Island to cap off your safari in style.

October to December.

Namibia.

Exploring Namibia’s wildlife-rich landscapes at your own pace on a 4×4 road trip is the best option. Explore Etosha National Park’s waterholes, which draw animals during this dry season, in search of the Big Five. You can also look for unusual, desert-adapted wildlife, such as rare elephants and creepy crawlies that inhabit Namibia’s ancient deserts. Observing endangered species like black-faced impalas, cheetahs, rhinos, and pangolins is another benefit of stellar conservation initiatives in locations like Okonjima and Onguma. You will see a variety of striking landscapes while driving across the nation, including the massive rock formations in Damaraland, the seal-studded Skeleton Coast, and wind-sculpted dunes in the ancient Namib Desert.

South Africa.

Enjoy the warm weather and bright skies of South Africa. Although October in Kruger National Park still sees some dry weather before the rainy season begins, this is the ideal time of year to go on a safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. Follow the Garden Route and until the end of November, Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay will offer you the chance to see migrating whales and dolphins. Big Five sightings are possible in private game reserves like Kariega and Shamwari, which also offer opulent lodges with bush walks, 4×4 game drives, and river cruises. Visit Shamwari’s Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and Kariega to learn about rhino conservation and wildlife preservation.

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