Embarking on an African Safari is an unforgettable experience and it is best to ensure that you are informed about the best time and season to visit each of the regions. Each region has its own diverse and unique tapestry which evolves and changes with each season, offering new and exciting wildlife encounters. When you know which season offers the most for the region you are planning on visiting, you will significantly improve your African Safari experience. This blog will explore some of the best African Safari regions, and the seasonal highlights in each of them.
East Africa: The Great Migration in Serengeti and Masai Mara
This migration happens from July to October. The migration is one of the most iconic events in the animal kingdom, it sees millions of wildebeest, zebras and gazelles traversing the Masai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania in search of fresh grazing grounds. This yearly trek is also taken advantage of by the predators in the regions who lie in wait every year, ready to seize the opportunity provided by the vast herds. The great migration is a once in a lifetime opportunity at seeing a great spectacle, it is well worth traveling for.
West Africa: Turtle Nesting in Senegal
The months of July to September mark the annual nesting season for the sea turtles on the shores of Senegal. The Saloum Delta and the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary see various species, such as the green and loggerhead turtles, come ashore to lay their eggs. Conservation efforts made in recent years have protected these areas sufficiently to the point where they are starting to flourish. Seeing thousands of these magnificent animals is a truly moving experience and well worth the trip.
Southern Africa: The Okavango Delta’s Flooding
In the dry Winter months of May to August the great Okavango Delta in Botswana undergoes a dramatic transformation. The floodwaters rush in and reach Botswana at this time of the year, creating thousands of labyrinths of channels and islands. This change sees millions of animals migrating from the drier south in the Kalahari desert in massive herds to reach the lush water-dense land. This period is ideal for water-based safaris, where visitors navigate through narrow water-ways, observing hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of wildlife. This is truly one of the great spectacles on the African continent and not one to miss.
Overall, Africa offers a wealth of wildlife and brilliant scenery to explore. Ensure that you pick the best times available to you to go on these safaris so you can truly experience the seasonal highlights that each of them have to offer. Whether it’s the migrations in the East, the turtle nesting in the West, or the flooding of the Okavango in the South, the seasonal highlights in African safari regions promise an unforgettable adventure for those willing to explore the untamed wonders of the continent.
