If it’s your first visit, use our beginner’s guide to Tanzania to help plan.

Wine tasting in Franschhoek or Constantia, visiting the African penguins at Boulders Beach, climbing the lighthouse at Cape Point and taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. And be sure to rent a car (or get us to hire a reputable private guide for you) so you can venture further afield to the Winelands.

April heralds classic autumn weather in South Africa’s oldest and most beautiful city. The heat and south-easterly winds of summer have passed, and the chilly drizzle of winter is yet to set in, making this month almost perfect in terms of the weather.

Like so much of travelling to Africa in April, much depends on when Easter and the South African school holidays fall. Cape Town is extremely popular with local travellers and the city hosts plenty world-class festivals and events that ensure hotels fill up quickly. If you can’t book well in advance, then try to avoid the Easter break – in South Africa, this is a 4-day period that includes two public holidays.

Read about South Africa’s oldest wine-producing area – known as Constantia – and one of its youngest, in Hermanus.
Cape Town is Africa’s undisputed foodie capital – here’s what’s on offer.
Here are the best places to watch its legendary sunsets or, if you do get the odd autumnal shower, the best places to pass a rainy day.
Cape Town is strongly influenced by its connection to Malay culture – how to enjoy a Malay cooking course in the Bo-Kaap that will see you whipping up delicious samosas and chilli bites.
There can still be very sunny days at this time of year – here are Cape Town’s best beaches.

Our complimentary Cape Town Country Guide.

Spellbinding landscapes at Sossusvlei and rewarding game watching in Etosha.

The intense heat of summer has passed and the rain is pretty much over but the cold evenings of winter are yet to arrive. The landscape still has some greenery and pools of water dot it here and there.

April is not yet peak season but, depending on when Easter falls and the Namibian school holidays arrive, it can be busy. Many South Africans also drive up over Easter and the South African school holidays. Consult your Africa Safari Expert at least two months in advance.

Read all about fun family road trips to Namibia and about Go2Africans Liesel and Anza’s trip to explore its more remote areas.
Watch our video on what to see and do in Namibia.

The dry weather means calm water, making the Seychelles a haven for underwater explorers.

The Seychelles is always a popular honeymoon destination for international travellers and, with the northern hemisphere summer wedding season kicking off in about May, we suggest booking as soon as you know you want to go for the best deals.

Be inspired by our 10-day adventure in the Seychelles.

Excellent visibility for snorkelers and divers.

With the annual cyclone season and the intense heat of summer now long past, the cooler weather and calmer water conditions means spectacular diving. Bazaruto is good for families as it has bigger resorts and boutique hotels while the Quirimbas maintains an exclusive ‘desert island’ feeling with a sprinkling of upscale beach lodges

Mozambique is still under the radar but is becoming more and more popular as travellers discover its incredible beaches, laidback culture and wonderful reefs. We suggest booking as soon as you decide to go to get your first choice of the small selection of top beach lodges.

How to combine Mozambique with the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Spot the ‘Big 7’ at Addo Elephant National Park. In addition to the classic Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – the third-largest national park in the country has a protected marine section where you can see great white sharks and southern right whales, in season.

The Eastern Cape province is a great place to end a Garden Route self-drive or go on a ‘beginner’s safari’. The climate is temperate and the whole area is malaria-free – ideal if you’re travelling with young children or older travellers.

May is a sweet spot – peak safari season is just starting, heralding cooler and drier weather. Because of its ‘secret gem’ status, Addo isn’t as jam-packed as the Kruger National Park so you can probably book two or three months before you want to travel to secure your first choice of accommodation.

Read about what to expect on a safari to Addo and a visit to the Eastern Cape.

A water-based safari in the world’s biggest inland delta.

Although the rainy season has largely passed by May, the Okavango Delta is slowly filling up with all the water that has fallen in the past few months, much of it trickling down from the Angolan highlands. As the rest of the country starts drying up, the Delta’s surging waters start plenty of game who will pass winter here, with ample water supply. The higher water levels also mean you can enjoy mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) rides and spells on high-speed motor boats.

Botswana is almost always in demand because of its fantastic game viewing and premium lodges. Although May isn’t quite peak season yet, it’s worth booking as early in the year as possible to secure your first choice of accommodation.

Take your pick of the 24 best things to do in Botswana or learn how having a private guide can help you get the best out of this incredible destination.

Superb gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Both lie in Africa’s equatorial rainforest belt but in June, Uganda’s rainfall is a fifth of what it was in March while Rwanda’s precipitation is down by 90 percent compared to April. This dry spell makes trekking much easier as there is less heavy-going mud. More sunlight also penetrates the forest canopy, making it lighter for photographers hoping to snap the ultimate gorilla shot.

This is peak season for gorilla trekking and there are limited permits and lodges available. Consider booking your gorilla trek up to a year in advance – this also gives you plenty of time to get fit!

Read all about gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda.
Know the basics: Gorilla Trekking 101.
Expert advice on what to pack for gorilla trekking.

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.

Read all about a Grumeti safari here.
Find out more about the myths and realities of the Migration.

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.

Perfect safari and photography conditions in the Delta, with everything from red lechwe to wild dogs running through the shimmering water.

The summer rains in the region have reflooded the Delta’s meandering waterways to form huge floodplains that are ideal for water-based activities like mokoro rides and powerboat excursions.

The Delta is always popular but doubly so during peak season when the cool, dry weather makes for excellent game viewing. We’d suggest getting in touch at least six months in advance; more if you have your heart set on a specific lodge or camp.

A comprehensive list of the best things to do in Botswana and an insider’s look at life in the Delta.

Basking on golden beaches, swimming in warm water and exploring teeming reefs. Or simply lazing the day away in a comfy hammock stretched between two nodding palm trees.

It’s the driest month of the year in the Seychelles and the humidity is tempered by cooling breezes off the sultry Indian Ocean.

Many travellers combine the Seychelles with their Migration safari to Kenya, with our Africa Safari Experts booking their flights, accommodation and activities all at the same time. If you are visiting the Seychelles only, it still pays to get in touch with us as soon as you can as the perfect weather, northern hemisphere wedding-honeymoon season, and regional school holidays make the Seychelles a popular destination.

Read about our 10-day adventure in the Seychelles.

A ‘beach holiday’ with a difference: the sandy beaches and crystal-clear water for snorkelling is there – without big waves or strong tides, making it perfect for kayaking.

Malawi is small but beautifully formed. Lake Malawi has among the world’s most varied population of cichlids, colourful little fish that are a joy to snorkelers. In August, conditions are near perfect, with little to no rain, sunny days and balmy nights. This is a fantastic spot to unwind after a high-season safari, gorilla trek or Kilimanjaro climb.

Malawi is still an undiscovered destination but accommodation and flights are limited. Chat to an Africa Safari Expert as soon as you think you want to go, especially if it’s for a special occasion like a honeymoon.

Africa’s Top 3 kayaking adventures.

A multi-day walking safari during which you trek from camp to camp, tracking big game and enjoying game drives and extremely comfortable accommodation in between.

It’s peak safari season across Africa so the game viewing is excellent and the weather cooler and drier – perfect walking conditions. Zambia is still a ‘safari secret’ so relatively uncrowded and ideal for returning safari goers.

Numbers are limited on walking safaris and lodges are generally small and intimate throughout South Luangwa, indeed throughout Zambia. Chat to us as soon as you’re interested in undertaking a walking safari so we can ensure a seamless itinerary for you.

The Top 5 things to do in Zambia and read all about our adventures in this laidback country.

Wine tasting in cosy cellars (South Africa has superb vintages), dining on excellent cuisine and going out on the Atlantic Ocean to enjoy watching southern right whales feed, mate and play.

By August, big pods of southern right whales have generally swum up on their annual migration from the Antarctic to take advance of the impending spring in the relatively warmer waters of the Atlantic. Hermanus – less than a two-hour very scenic drive from Cape Town – the world capital for whale watching, these massive mammals often seen in the town’s Walker Bay. Elsewhere, the Cape Winelands – also only an hour’s drive from Cape Town – are lending themselves to idyllic winter days.

Whale-watching season usually peaks in August and visitors flock to Hermanus, especially on weekends. Book as far in advance as you can to secure the best accommodation. The good news is that Cape Town and the Winelands are fairly quiet at this time of year – perfect for a last-minute holiday.

Read our first-hand tips for boat-based whale watching so you know what to expect – it’s not for everyone.
See what the Cape Winelands have in store for wine and food lovers (Hermanus also has a small but rewarding wine route).

Road tripping with your family or friends through some of the most ancient and beguiling landscapes in the world.

Namibia has an excellent road network and a very low population – only about two million people live in the whole country! This means low traffic numbers and, in August, the Namibian and South African school holidays are over, meaning you’ll have plenty of space to yourself.

Although there isn’t a large number of visitors from neighbouring South Africa, it is still peak safari season and remote places like Damaraland and the Kaokoveld have limited upscale accommodation available. Try to arrange your Namibian adventure about six months in advance so you have your first choice of lodge as well as of vehicle.

Why Namibia is great for family road trips.
How to have a family adventure in Namibia’s awe-inspiring desert landscape.

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.

How to go off the beaten path in Tanzania.
Selous is named after a European explorer – read more about his exploits.

Days on the beach enjoying all sorts of water sports, shopping in fun boutiques, hearing about your children’s days at professional kids’ clubs and dancing the night away to traditional sega music.

Grand Baie is the liveliest part of Mauritius and great for couples and families who like to have plenty to see and do – it combines very easily with a Big 5 safari to the Kruger National Park, Phinda Private Game Reserve or Madikwe Game Reserve, all in south Africa. September is generally one of the driest months on the island, allowing you to stock up on sunshine before heading back to a northern hemisphere that’s heading for winter.

Since Mauritius is a popular honeymoon destination and an easy add-on to so many peak-season safari destinations, don’t leave it too much to the last minute to make your booking.

Why Mauritius is one of Africa’s Top 5 family destinations.

Along the western coast, brilliant spring wild flowers start coming into bloom, covering the ground with swathes of purple, orange, yellow and white blossoms. Along the southern coast, the whales are still at play while to the east, wildlife reserves like Addo Elephant National Park buzz with animals gearing up for warmer weather.

This is an incredible stretch of coastline to drive. The winter downpours are starting to abate and the Garden Route is dotted with gems like Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and the famous Cango Caves. Start in Cape Town and end in Port Elizabeth, enjoying good roads and excellent value-for-money accommodation along the way.

Since it is not South African school holidays, you should be able to plan a great vacation with your Africa Safari Expert not too far in advance.

Read all about a Garden Route adventure and get a taste of the Hermanus Wine Route.

Encountering mega-herds of wildebeest grazing on the Mara’s lush and plentiful grasses.

With the drama of the river crossings now largely over, the wildebeest must replenish their energy, especially the females that are pregnant. The Mara’s significant collection of big cats – particularly lions and leopards – lie in wait, hoping for easy pickings.

September is still considered peak season so it’s best to get your enquiry in at least six months in advance to have the first choice of accommodation.

How the Wildebeest Migration actually works.
A beginner’s guide to Kenya.
What to expect on your Masai Mara safari and how to plan a Migration safari.

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.

How to go off the beaten path in Tanzania.

So many species gathered around one waterhole that you don’t know where to start looking!

Etosha is a largely arid landscape, dominated by brilliant-white Etosha Pan at the centre. By October, after a long, dry winter, smaller water sources have long dried up, leaving only bigger ones and, in camps, pumped water. It’s not unusual to see large numbers of impala, giraffes, warthogs, rhino and elephants call drinking from the same waterhole.

October is still high season although availability isn’t as under pressure because it is not regional school holidays.

How to have a desert adventure or a family road trip in Namibia.

The Lower Zambezi is blessed by being bordered by the Zambezi River. Unlike the country’s Luangwa River, the Zambezi is easy going, calm and predictable, meaning you can enjoy all sorts of activities on it as the mercury soars. Canoeing with a guide down one of its channels promises a wildlife extravaganza of elephants, water monitors, vervet monkeys and plenty of colourful birds.

Zambia’s charm is that it is still relatively ‘undiscovered’ so can usually accommodate spontaneous travellers who find they can travel at the last minute or who simply must scratch the safari bug more or less immediately.

The Top 5 things to do in Zambia and all about our trip to the Lower Zambezi.

Botswana, always a sensational game-viewing destination, ramps up the spectacle with unbelievable sightings.

October is one of the hottest (despite not being summer yet) and driest months in Botswana. After a long, dry winter, both water sources and grazing can be scarce so animals don’t venture far from waterholes. This makes them easy to find, for you – and Botswana’s teeming populations of lion, wild dog, hyena, cheetah and leopard. If you can handle the heat (many lodges have swimming pools and air conditioning), then October promises high-octane game viewing.

Because the game viewing is so good, Botswana in October can be surprisingly busy, despite the heat and areas like Chobe National Park are always popular because of their substantial elephant populations. Definitely don’t leave this until the last minute – chat to your Africa Safari Expert several months in advance to ensure a seamless itinerary.

We went mobile camping in Botswana in October – this is what it was like.
A seasonal guide to planning your Botswana safari.
Our full list of the top things to do in Botswana.
How ‘going private’ gives you the best of Botswana.

Among the easiest gorilla trekking on the planet.

Congo is home to a significant population of lowland gorillas, meaning you don’t have to trek up mountains at altitude to see them like you do mountain gorillas. And Congo also offers astonishing birding and boating activities to see shy forest elephants, plenty of primates and unusual antelope like bongo.

Give yourself enough time to get fit. Even though the terrain is fairly flat and not at altitude, the heat and humidity can be high. Also, you may have to walk for several hours to find the gorillas, depending on their overnight movements. Accommodation and flights are also limited so don’t leave this until the last minute of seeing the gorillas is on your bucket list.      

Read all about our team’s adventures in Congo and watch our beautiful video series so you can see what to expect.
Brush up on the basics of Gorilla Trekking 101.
See what to pack – including why gardening gloves might be an option!

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.

A Kenya safari guide for first-timers.

In Cape Town, everything from wine tasting, making friends with African penguins, visiting Cape Point, sampling great wine, climbing Table Mountain and shopping up a storm to eating at exciting restaurants and visiting moving heritage sites. In Kruger, getting your camera ready for Green Season Big 5 action!

These are South Africa’s most popular destinations and they are chockful in December and January (they’re also much hotter). November gives you good weather, all the sights and off-season rates without the crowds. What’s not to love?

If you were travelling in December, we’d say anything from six months to a year in advance. But November is more forgiving so get in touch as soon as you know you can travel to see what your Africa Safari Expert can do for you.

How to combine South Africa’s favourite destinations.
A guide to your first South African safari.
The Top 10 reasons to visit South Africa.
South Africa’s best affordable luxury accommodation.

Our complimentary Cape Town Country Guide.

A post-safari bliss out on some of the Indian Ocean’s most beautiful islands coupled with exploring historic Stone Town for gifts and mementos. The truly adventurous can snorkel and dive with colossal whale sharks, which generally arrive off the coast in about November.

Safaris have a lot of early mornings, late nights and bumpy roads, making them exhilarating but often tiring, too. A few days on an idyllic island like Thanda, Pemba or no-expense-spared Mnemba will help you arrive home truly recharged. Zanzibar gets only on average nine rainy days this month and the underwater visibility for divers is at its best.

If you specifically want to dive with whale sharks, we’d recommend securing your beach lodge as early as possible. If you’re just keen on ‘shopping and flopping (onto a sun lounger)’ then you can leave it a little later although Zanzibar is a popular honeymoon destination.

Read about why Zanzibar is a beach paradise and how its ancient dhows still sail its azure waters.
What to expect if you tour Stone Town on Zanzibar.

Wildebeest on the move as they migrate away from the Masai Mara in Kenya down to their birthing and feed grounds in the Southern Serengeti. And, according to the ancient laws of nature, where there are wildebeest en masse, you are sure to find lions, leopards, wild dogs, spotted hyenas and cheetahs (the Seronera Valley is thought to have the highest concentration of cheetahs in the world). In addition to countless bellowing wildebeest, many non-predator species start dropping their babies from about now.

The Wildebeest Migration is controlled by rainfall. By November the ‘short rains’ have generally arrived in the region to rejuvenate depleted grazing and water sources. This is the start of the Green Season and coincides with more availability and lower rates. Don’t be put off by the mention of rain – showers are generally short and occur in the afternoon.

Another bonus about Green Season is that you don’t need to plan up to a year ahead, unlike peak season. Chat to your Africa Safari Expert when you and your family decide you’d like to discover the Southern Serengeti in November.

Myth-busting the Great Wildebeest Migration.
How the Migration works and the wildebeest ‘know’ where to go.
How to plan and book your Migration safari.
The beginner’s safari guide to Tanzania.

The sight of thousands of zebra arriving to feast on the fresh grass as well as hundreds of wobbly newborn springbok, impala, wildebeest and buffalo. Naturally, predators are always around to pick off the proverbial runts of the litter. Photographers and birders have a field day.

Yes, the Kalahari is a desert but the Green Season rains temporary transform it into a veritable Garden of Eden. Waterholes are full and grazing is lush. Coupled with low visitor numbers, you may feel like you have a paradise all to yourself.

Green Season is always less busy than peak season so you needn’t plan too far in advance. Don’t leave popular holidays like Christmas and New Year’s to the very last minute though – some lodges may close altogether and others will be full, leaving you at a loss for your first choice of accommodation.

Twenty-four amazing things to experience in Botswana.
Read about a camping adventure in Nxai Pan.

Big 5 game viewing in beautiful private reserves like Phinda and pristine national parks like Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, coupled with good reef diving.

KwaZulu-Natal has a sub-tropical climate that is very different to that of the rest of the country. Returning safari goers will enjoy seeing different terrain and families will welcome being able to combine a Big 5 safari with an affordable beach holiday.

If your plan is to visit KZN from about mid-December to after New Year’s, then get in touch at least six or more months in advance as the area is very popular during South Africa’s annual school holidays that fall at this time.

KZN is a multi-faceted destination – learn more about its ‘berg, bush and battlefields’ activities.

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.

How Tanzania is a world in one country and the Mahale Mountains are just a small part of this fascinating place.