When to Travel

Classic game viewing without the crowds.

The weather is cooler and drier, and the animals aren’t venturing too far from water or grazing as winter settles in, making for superb game viewing. The other bonus is that the Wildebeest Migration is generally still in the Grumeti and Serengeti in Tanzania, making Kenya far less crowded. You may not see the Migration but you will see the Masai Mara’s iconic sunsets and rolling savannah.

Mid-year is high or peak safari season across Africa, and we’d always advise booking up to a year or at least six months in advance if you have your heart set on a particular lodge or if you want to avoid disappointment.

Seeing the mega herds of the Wildebeest Migration begin to move northwards.

By March, the thousands of babies that ‘dropped’ in January and February are strong enough to join their parents on their trans-savannah trek. It is also Green Season in Tanzania, meaning low rates and low visitor numbers but high opportunities for photographers.

If you find you can travel at the last minute, enquire about a Serengeti safari as availability is generally good. Like the Sabi Sands though, the park may fill up with self-drivers and local families if the Easter holidays fall in March rather than April.

Witness thousands of wildebeest crossing the Grumeti River during their annual migration around the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem.

The river crossings are considered one of the most dramatic aspects of the Wildebeest Migration and thousands of safari goers flock to see them. The Grumeti crossings are far more exclusive because they take place in the private Grumeti Reserve. This means far fewer vehicles and people, making for a far more exclusive experience.

The Grumeti River crossings are among the most sought-after of Migration moments by safari aficionados, with very limited accommodation available. We strongly suggest booking up to a year in advance.

Classic game viewing without the crowds.

The weather is cooler and drier, and the animals aren’t venturing too far from water or grazing as winter settles in, making for superb game viewing. The other bonus is that the Wildebeest Migration is generally still in the Grumeti and Serengeti in Tanzania, making Kenya far less crowded. You may not see the Migration but you will see the Masai Mara’s iconic sunsets and rolling savannah.

Mid-year is high or peak safari season across Africa, and we’d always advise booking up to a year or at least six months in advance if you have your heart set on a particular lodge or if you want to avoid disappointment.

Spectacular peak-season game viewing without the crowds.

The Selous is a massive reserve and at this time of year, the safari crowd is hanging out in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, taking the Wildebeest Migration. This means you have the best of both worlds: fantastic sightings with much of the reserve to yourself.

Since it’s peak season, don’t leave it too late to get in touch with your Africa Safari Expert. We like to have your safari lined up at least three months before your departure date.

Wildebeest, wildebeest and more wildebeest! Closed tailed by massive Nile crocodiles, prides of lions, stalking leopards and lightning fast cheetahs.

The Wildebeest Migration, of course. By mid-year, most of the herds should have crossed the Mara River and are munching their way across Kenya. The combination of peak safari season, dry weather and wildebeest wherever you look is hard to beat.

We’re not exaggerating when we suggest up to a year in advance for the Mara’s private concessions, which give you a superior experience. The mid-year part of the Migration is East Africa’s hottest ticket and lodges fill up quickly. If you can’t manage to plan a year in advance, then try not to leave it later than six months before you travel as you may not be able to get your first choice of accommodation.

Superb game viewing and birding in Tanzania’s less well-known national parks.

They may not be as famous as the Serengeti and certainly don’t have millions of wildebeest hurtling through for several months a year but Katavi and Ruaha have rustic charm in spades. Both are home to all the big cats, wild dogs, massive herds of buffalo and elephant, and at least 500 bird species.       

If you’re a procrastinator or last-minute, spontaneous traveller than Ruaha and Katavi should be able to accommodate you.

The Park is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo,crocodile, waterbucks, Lesser Kudu, Gerenuk and Hirola

The sight of dust-red elephant wallowing, rolling and spraying each other with the midnight blue waters of palm-shaded Galana River is one of the most evocative images in Africa. This, along with the 300 kilomtere long Yatta Plateau, the longest lava flow in the world, make for an adventure unlike any other in the Tsavo East. The park forms the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species.

The Tsavo East National Park Sightings are among the most sought-after of Migration moments by safari aficionados, with very limited accommodation available. We strongly suggest booking up to a year in advance.

Rocky outcrops that are home to klipspringers and rock hyrax surrounded by green plains that are one of the best places to see gerenuk, the adorable antelope with an unusually long neck that can stand unaided on its hind legs for minutes at a time to feed.

Lying in the north of Kenya, Samburu is one another of those fantastic safari gems that may not be as famous as the Masai Mara but is as rewarding in its own way. The lodges here are often extraordinary: many are built into the rocky hills and boulders that are so characteristic of Samburu.

Since it’s more an off-the-beaten-track destination, Samburu is ideal for last-minuters or those who can’t book safaris too far in advance.

Silky white sands, warm turquoise waters and palm-lined streets; Diani is the sliver of paradise marking the border where the African continent meets the vast Indian Ocean. A beautiful tropical beach retreat, it’s often added at the end of a safari in Kenya for a few days’ relaxation.

The river crossings are considered one of the most dramatic aspects of the Wildebeest Migration and thousands of safari goers flock to see them. The Grumeti crossings are far more exclusive because they take place in the private Grumeti Reserve. This means far fewer vehicles and people, making for a far more exclusive experience.

Located 30km south of Mombasa, this south coast beach is surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean, with countless beach resorts to accommodate you during your stay with very limited accommodation available. We strongly suggest booking up to a year in advance.

Trekking habituated chimpanzee families in the Mahale rainforest. Chimps are highly endangered because of poaching and habitat destruction but, like gorillas in central Africa, responsible travel is helping to save these extraordinary primates.

The earlier rains bring allow the chimps’ favourite fruits, seeds and nuts to grow, bringing them down from the treetops to forage. Chimp trekking is both fun and memorable as they tend to be very active and expressive.

Both accommodation and trekking permits are very limited in the Mahale region so don’t leave this one until the last minute. You also need to give yourself a few months to get ‘walking fit’ – the chimps can move quickly and you’ll need to keep pace in dense rainforest at high temperatures and humidity. You’re chances of seeing them are not unlimited so you don’t want to waste your visit by not being able to keep up.