Africa’s weather is more varied than most people expect. Seasons run in opposite directions north and south of the equator, many regions have two rainy seasons, and altitude changes everything. The right month depends on where you are going and what you want to see. The notes below are guides, and the weather can change from year to year.
The simple ruleFor most safaris, the dry season gives the easiest wildlife viewing, and the green season gives lower prices, fewer people and better birds. Neither is wrong. They are different trips.
Dry season or green season?
| Dry season | Green season | |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife | Animals gather at water and are easier to see in short grass | Animals spread out, grass is long, but many young are born |
| Landscape | Dry and golden, and dusty | Green and fresh, with dramatic skies |
| Crowds | Busiest | Quiet |
| Prices | Highest | Often much lower |
| Birds | Good | Best, with migrants present |
| Roads | Good | Can be muddy, and some camps close |
| Insects | Fewer mosquitoes | More mosquitoes |
East Africa: Tanzania and Kenya
- Long dry season (June to October): the most popular time, with clear skies and excellent game viewing. It is also the busiest and most expensive.
- Short rains (November to December): brief showers, green landscapes and fewer visitors. Good for birds.
- Short dry season (January to February): warm and dry. Great for the calving season in the southern Serengeti.
- Long rains (March to May): the wettest time. Some camps close, and roads can be difficult, but prices are lowest, and the parks are quiet.
The Great Migration
| Months | Where the herds are |
|---|---|
| January to March | Southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area, with calving around February |
| April to June | Moving north-west through the central and western Serengeti |
| July to October | Northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, with river crossings possible |
| November to December | Heading south again |
Read Best time to visit the Serengeti and When is the best time for a Tanzania safari? for more detail.
Southern Africa
- May to October (dry, cooler winter): the best time for game viewing in Kruger, Etosha, Chobe and the Okavango Delta. Mornings and nights can be cold. The Okavango floods peak from about June to August, even though it is dry.
- November to March (wet, hot summer): green, with many young animals, excellent birds and lower prices. Afternoon storms are common. Victoria Falls is at its fullest around March to May.
- Cape Town and the south coast: warm and dry from November to March, wetter and cooler from June to August.
Gorillas and chimpanzees
Trekking is possible all year. The drier months, roughly June to September and December to February, make trails less slippery, though rain is always possible in the mountains. Permits sell out early, so book months ahead.
Mountains
- Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mount Kenya: the driest windows are roughly January to mid-March and June to October. The long rains in April and May make climbing harder and wetter.
- Cold at altitude: summit nights are below freezing at any time of year.
Beaches and islands
- Zanzibar and the East African coast: June to October is dry and cooler. December to February is hot and sunny. The heaviest rains are in April and May.
- Indian Ocean islands: check the cyclone season, which affects Mauritius and Madagascar from about November to April.
- Diving and snorkelling: visibility is usually best in the dry months.
North Africa
The best times are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is very hot, especially in the desert and in Egypt, while winter is mild in Egypt and cold in Morocco’s mountains.
Best time by trip
| Trip | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First safari in East Africa | June to October | Reliable weather and wildlife |
| Calving season | January to March | Newborn animals and predators in the southern Serengeti |
| Migration river crossings | July to October | Herds in the north |
| Safari in Southern Africa | May to October | Dry season and clear viewing |
| Birdwatching | November to April | Migrant birds are present |
| Kilimanjaro | January to March, June to October | The driest periods |
| Beach in Zanzibar | June to October, December to February | Sunny and dry |
| Quiet, lower prices | April to May, November | Fewer visitors and cheaper rates |
Busy periods and booking
Holiday periods in Europe and North America, especially July and August, Christmas and New Year, and Easter, are the busiest. The best camps and the gorilla permits sell out six to nine months ahead. Low-season trips can often be arranged within a few weeks, and you may get an upgrade or a lower rate.
Make your own decision
- Pick the experience that matters most, such as the migration, gorillas or a climb.
- Find the months that suit it using the tables above.
- Check your own calendar, and school holidays if you travel as a family.
- Compare dry-season and green-season prices for the same trip.
- Look up each place in its destination guide, which has a monthly weather and best-time chart.