The best time to go on safari in Kenya: January – March 

These warm months offer excellent wildlife viewing in Kenya.

Pro: Wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle begin to calve towards the end of January, with plenty of young around, harkening the approach of roaming predators, like lions, cheetahs and leopards, setting up some dramatic interactions. 

Worth noting: Being a popular time to go, it can get busy, though this is well-managed by safari guides.

Top tip: Being their summertime, these months are also the best for adding on a beach break in Mombasa to round-off your time in Kenya.

Kenya: July - September / Tanzania: June - October

These months are another optimal time of year to visit Kenya for a safari, as the migration moves up through the Northern Serengeti and crosses the border into Kenya's Masai Mara National Park around July/August. This is also the best time of year to visit Tanzania for a safari.

Pro: Being dry season, vegetation is sparse, meaning more animals congregate around watering holes, making spotting the animals, easier.

Worth noting: Mornings and nights can get a bit colder in the higher altitude parks, so remember to bring plenty of layers.

Top tip: The Kenya wildebeest river crossings reach their peak in August, a thrilling event to watch as the herds brave strong currents with a chance of crocodile and hippo attacks.

The best time to go on safari in Rwanda and Uganda: June – September and December – February

Pro: These are the drier and cooler months, making it optimal for gorilla trekking, with the trails easier to navigate.

Worth noting: As gorilla permits sell out well in advance, we recommend that you start planning your trip with us ahead of time, so we can sort out the permits for early on, without there being any hold-ups.

Top tip: Be prepared for some long hikes, as most treks can take between 2 - 6 hours, depending on how long it takes to spot the animals.

The best time to go on safari in South Africa: May – September

Pro: Dry, sunny and clear weather make it a great time to visit. During these months less insects are around to bother you, and you have better chances of seeing animals as the vegetation is sparse.

Worth noting: It can be a little chillier at night and in the mornings, so remember to bring layers, however blankets are often also provided on game drives.

Top tip: On your first day, aim to arrive to your lodge around lunchtime so that you don't risk missing your first game drive which usually departs in the early-mid-afternoon. 

The best time to go on safari in Zambia and Zimbabwe: May – October

Pro: Although this time of year is peak season, the parks are still not too crowded. These are also the best months to see Victoria Falls, as the water levels are a little lower, so visibility is better, with less mist.

Worth noting: Towards October, the weather can get hot with high humidity.

Top tip: Zambezi River Sunset Cruise is a great way to combine the history of the falls with the stunning views of this natural wonder.

The best time to go on safari in Botswana: May – September

Pro: The water levels are high in the Okavango Delta, allowing for some fantastic water-based activities such as mokoro boat (canoe-like boat) trips, fishing, and motorboat safaris. As animals are drawn to water sources, this is a great time of year for seeing the wildlife.

Worth noting: The reserves west of Chobe Riverfront tend to be quieter for game viewing, compared to the areas to the east.

Top tip: 4★+ Chobe Game Lodge is a fantastic option for your stay – located right in the heart of the national park, with a watering hole directly in front of the tents.

The best time to go on safari in India: October - March

It's often said a visit to India wouldn't be complete without a chance to see magnificent Bengal tigers and some of India's other wildlife. Why not add a visit to Ranthambore National Park or Bandhavgarh National Park, onto your India holiday?

Pro: Being the cooler, winter months, temperatures will be pleasant while you are out on game drives. 

Worth noting: All tiger reserves across India are closed July - September annually and game drives don't operate on Wednesdays in the Central India reserves.

Top tip: Tigers are notoriously difficult to spot and you may go on several drives without seeing one. You will however discover plenty of colourful birdlife and a diverse range of smaller animals and antelopes.

The best time to go on safari in Sri Lanka: February to June - Yala National Park / December - March - Udawalawe National Park and Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sri Lanka is home to a number of national parks and biodiverse regions, and is the ideal destination for nature lovers. Udawalawe National Park and Sinharaja Forest Reserve are famous for being fantastic places to see elephants in Sri Lanka and Yala National Park is home to one of the densest concentrations of leopards in the world - though still difficult to spot!

Pro: Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park are best at this time of year for wildlife viewing, as the animals congregate around watering holes, as it is their dry season.

Worth noting: Yala National Park is divided into five different blocks with four entrances. Block 1 is the most visited, and therefore the busiest, however it has the best chance of leopard sightings. Each September and October, Block 1 closes to allow for regeneration and maintenance of the park. During this time, we offer game drives in Block 5 instead and although leopard sightings here are rare, there is a host of other wildlife present.

Top tip: Adjacent to Udawalawe National Park is the Elephant Transit Home, where orphan elephants are cared for until they are ready to be released into the wild - well worth asking your consultant to add a visit here to your itinerary.