Unlike the rest of Africa, some of Zambias national parks are protected only for private use, so you wont see tour buses or self-drivers in these areas. 1. Most safari operators will have a good idea of where the animals are headed and when, and most will adjust their itineraries based on the herd's movement. Since 1998 weve successfully navigated various crises and global disruptions and are committed to creating once in a lifetime trips while supporting conservation, communities and sustainability in Africa, now more than ever. does not contain personal information, cannot be traced back to you, and, Botswana On horseback is the best way to discover the stunning landscapes, while hiking in just about any direction is rewarding. The key point to remember about the weather when you're planning an African safari is the difference between each regions dry and wet seasons: Choosing the best time to visit Southern Africa depends entirely on what you want to see and do: The dry season in Southern Africa runs from about May to October. All rights reserved. One shilling equals less than one American penny, but. April and May see the most rainfall, and many lodges and camps close for this slower season. The last part of this article is for if you're looking for animal-specific safaris, like a gorilla or a chimpanzee safari. No Crowds ), and filled with wildlife, Nyerere is unlike Tanzanias iconic safari destinations such as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Here's how. The Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) are present in large numbers as are all manner of different mammal species, plus brilliant birdlife. If its a tropical beach holiday that youre after, the best time to visit Tanzania's coast, Zanzibar and other islands is between June and March. You'll also spend two days in Etosha National Park, seeking wildlife at the park's bustling waterholes by day and embarking on an evening game drive as well. During your trip, you'll see Mount Kilimanjaro as zebras, gazelles and more roam in the foreground. The safari ends at the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, a good place to admire wildlife like zebras and buffalo on the savanna as well as salt pans from a former lake. Most travellers pass through without difficulty, but the city is a robust introduction to the continent with endless traffic snarls and questionable security in some quarters. Music festivals, parades, marches and more commemorate Juneteenth across America. The peerless Masai Mara National Reserve offers excellent big cat encounters and is the setting for the yearly wildebeest migration. For a 15-day safari, expect to pay 76,900 South African rand (about $4,500) per person. The best time to witness the migration is probably February through March when the wildebeest and zebra have their young. Island and marine wildlife, found nowhere else on the planet, bring to life this superb chain of islands, with their volcanic interiors and blissful sense of Indian Ocean isolation. It's month by month account of the best animal viewing opportunities in Africa. Huge herds congregate around the Okavango Delta during this time, making a trip in a mokoro (traditional canoe) extremely rewarding. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Safaris, Uganda And spend as little time as possible on Kenyas roads, both because the combination of distance and traffic means you can take forever to arrive, and to minimise your risk of accidents. It offers some outstanding wildlife viewing in low-key parks, stunning scenery and traditional cultures. What's more, lodging at the company's campsites, select meals, and flights to and from Dar es Salaam are factored into the package's prices. (Top-Rated List) You are here: Home Countries & Parks Countries & Parks Learn more about the major safari countries, including their highlights, wildlife, best time to visit and more. Before traveling to the region, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends receiving vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid on top of regular vaccines like polio and measles. Deciding when to go on safari depends on what country you would like to visit and when you can plan your trip. Best Months To Travel In Africa. We share the best safari destinations in the world. If you're looking for the best safari experience and don't mind what country you go to, this is a useful guide for you. The popular Northern circuit with the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offers one of the best classical safaris in Africa, especially if timed with the annual wildebeest migration. In the Masai Mara cheetah are known to use safari vehicles to help them hunt by getting a better vantage Pedro Helder Pinheiro / Shutterstock, Where to go on your first safari in Africa. With the scarcity of water during the dry seasons, the animals tend to gather in more concentrated numbers around permanent waterholes, rivers, and lakes, so they are easier to find. During the latter half of the itinerary, visitors will explore Botswana's Okavango Delta (home to cheetahs, crocodiles, hippos and more) and Chobe National Park, which is believed to have Africa's largest elephant population. This article was first published October 2019 and last updated December 2020. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. The country offers its visitors a plethora of unique experiences and arguably the best tourism infrastructure network on the continent. Planning to go on a safari in this beautiful country? Keep in mind that some companies charge an additional fee for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Malawis main tourist attraction is enormous Lake Malawi, with its beaches and water-based activities. Led by Neil Heron, a nature guide and wildlife photographer and writer, Bearded Heron Safaris' longest option features small game drives that may include lion, rhino, zebra and leopard sightings throughout all corners of Kruger. The country boasts some of Africa's wildest and most remote corners, but you'll be far from roughing it on a Zambia safari. Kenya U.S. citizens and nationals can be issued a 30-day visitor visa on arrival in Rwanda or through the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C. A single-entry visa costs $50, and it's recommended you bring sufficient cash in U.S. dollars to pay for this (although credit card payment may be accepted at Kigali International Airport). Depending on your itinerary, you may need a single- or multiple-entry visa, and some visas require you to apply in advance of traveling and/or have a certain number of blank pages in your passport. If you're looking to have a broader experience that mixes in some history and beach time, consider Wild Wings Safaris' eight-day Battlefields, Bush and Beach Safari. When it comes to complete holiday destinations in Africa, South Africa is seriously tough to beat. You'll need to pay an extra charge for the flights within the tour (Cape Town to Botswana as well as Botswana to Johannesburg). Located in the northeast of the country on the Mozambique border, Kruger National Park is the most famous of all South Africa's many game reserves. The 10 Best Countries for an African Safari - World of Wanderlust Rwanda: If you're coming from a country where yellow fever is endemic, a yellow fever vaccination is required before departure. Tours, South Africa If you prefer to travel on your own, you can rent a car (and even hire a driver) at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is located about 190 miles east of the park's main entrance, Naabi Hill Gate. The Best Time Of Year To Go On An African Safari - MSN Most Kenya safari destinations . With just four lodges in the entire Marataba, you wont see other vehicles on game drives making your luxury South African safari experience feel totally private and authentic. Most of all, we love the diversity that's on offer, with each country offering a distinctive style and experience. Best African Safari Tours: Our Top 10 Picks | Go2Africa When is the best time to go on safari? - Audley Travel The best time to visit the gorgeous Mauritius is from April to December when the weather is dry and sunny. Kenya. Firstly, they're cheaper than private tours, allowing you to split the cost of accommodation and transport while also granting access to group rates for park fees and guides. One shilling equals less than one American penny, butcheck the latest exchange ratebefore you visit. Which countries are good for wildlife? You'll find cooler weather in the Ngorongoro Conservation Areadue to its higher elevation. There are fantastic accommodation options in and next to the forest to compliment your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure. Be sure to bring proof of vaccinations with you. The 10 Best African Safari Countries! (Top-Rated List) - SafariBookings The beauty of the Okavango Delta can be discovered on an unforgettable game drive or exploring by mokoro (wooden dugout canoe), while Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve combine stunning landscapes with exceptional wildlife. Many safari packages also cover transportation to and from the airstrips, food and lodging. Animal populations are smaller, but sightings in this sparse setting tend to be rewarding. You wont need to escape any crowds on your 2023 African safari in Laikipia. Many Serengeti lodges will also offer bush dining experiences, where diners can enjoy a private meal in the wild. Lemurs are exclusive to Madagascar and over 100 unique species live there, but 98% are threatened with extinction. No visa is required as long as you're staying for 90 days or less. The weather is also colder and less humid during this . Tours, Zambia 15 Best Places to Visit in Africa in 2023-2024 | U.S. News Travel BEST Fort Lauderdale Beach, Lion Country Safari and Palm Beach Day Tour. Web Visit website. Get ready for seaside, lakeside or poolside fun with this list of must-pack items. Elephants, zebras and lions are just some of the animals you may spot during your journey. The African Big Five: The Top 5 Animals to Spot on Safari Top 10 Unmissable African Safari Destinations - TripSavvy While many visitors to Madagascar come for the beautiful beaches, the island with its 50 national parks and reserves is nothing short of a top ecotourism destination. About our use of cookies, Please select which cookies you would like to keep switched on. You may have difficulty seeing all of the falls due to massive amounts of spray it can be quite torrential. When is the best time for a safari? Uganda is a great destination to view wildlife in both forest and savannah. Rising abruptly from the sea like an ocean-going mirage, Runion is the most dramatic of all Indian Ocean islands. To see the Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara, you'll need to be there between about June and November. A month-by-month guide for the best country to visit for a safari is also included. Easily compare offers from top rated tour operators. The best time to visit Tanzania is between late June to October, when there is little to no rain. Here are the vaccine and visa requirements for major safari destinations as of November 2022: Botswana: If you have recently visited a country where yellow fever is common, you will need to be vaccinated against this illness. Lovely Liwonde National Park has a winding river ideal for boat trips and seeing lots of elephants. Privacy Policy, 2023 Go2Africa (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001, South Africa, Around April to June and November to December, Safari in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Visas are required for tourism in Tanzania. Marataba is a special place and a South African rising star in 2023. An African safari is one of the best ways you can travel in 2023 because of the direct impact your trip has on protecting wildlife, conserving habitats, employing people in rural communities, and educating children across Africa - it is also one of the safest. In Zambia, youll be looked after on safari by some of the best guides in Africa. Tanzania: Travelers must be able to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination with a QR code to enter Tanzania. But South Africa's wildlife parks have better infrastructure than most parks in Africa, so rains don't necessarily mean the roads will be washed out. It also covers your stay at properties like the fully solar-powered Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp and the five-star Little Kulala lodge amid the stunning desert. Why is Safari a Safe Way to Travel? South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: Established as a National Park in 1972, South Luangwa is favored by many dedicated safari buffs thanks to its uncrowded wilderness combined with a spectacular. Flights and park fees are not included. Theyll happily share everything they know about the local wildlife and landscape, while safely leading you on game drives, walking safaris and even canoeing safaris along the Zambezi River. Tanzania has three safari circuits and each one of them, in its own right, would make Tanzania a top wildlife destination. These months are usually considered the best for undertaking African safaris, for a number of reasons that include; The dry months are marked . Once inside, tips of $5 to $10 per day are expected for safari drivers and services received at camps and lodges, while it is common practice to leave 10 percent of your total bill as a tip when dining at a lodge restaurant. Top 10 Destinations for African Safaris | Exodus This is a hot and sometimes humid period, with short but intense bursts of rain. The rankings evaluate 85 . There is no absolute best country for an African safari. 12 Places to Go for the Best Safari in Africa | Wayfairer Travel For Kenya and Tanzania, the dry season is between June and October. December through March can get quite hot and humid, especially in Western and Southern Tanzania which makes it a little uncomfortable to spend a lot of time in the bush. Where to go for your first safari in Africa - Lonely Planet (Courtesy of Micato Safaris) Safari tours in Africa are just as diverse as the continent itself, though these types. Safaris, Tanzania From the never-ending savannah of the Serengeti to the beaches and coral reefs of tropical Zanzibar, a Tanzania safari delivers one fascinating experience after another. South Africa is one of the most stable and reliable travel hubs in Africa. The best time for an African safari is typically from July through October, when the animals are easy to find and in substantial numbers. This weeklong trip features visits to the Namib Desert's dune-filled Sossusvlei region (which you may recognize from the film "Mad Max: Fury Road") and the mountainous Palmwag Concession a protected area with springboks, giraffes, black rhinos and more. April to May (the 'long rains') November to December (the 'short rains') Generally, the main rainy season (the long rains) produces tropical downpours in the afternoons and many safari camps close. Below you'll find a country-specific guide for the absolute best time to plan a safari. Africa's Top 15 Safari Animals and Where to Find Them - TripSavvy #15 in Best Places to Visit in Africa in 2023-2024. Table Mountain, gorgeous beaches and surrounding wine valleys provide an elegant, Mediterranean twist to a South Africa safari while culinary excellence can be relished at Cape Towns award-winning restaurants. These exclusive conservation areas offer uncrowded game viewing, walking safaris, and night game drives while staying at some of the best luxury African safari lodges in Kenya. When both your satisfaction and your budget are at risk in a destination with foreign cultures, unusual logistics and a diverse offering of accommodation, you want to work with a travel agency that's based in Africa, like Go2Africa. Safari tour operators that provide meals at a lodge or boxed to enjoy picnic-style include Africa Dream Safaris and Serengeti Select Safaris. We recommend staying in the private conservancies that are contiguous with the national reserve. Mozambique, dubbed the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, conjures up images of idyllic white sandy beaches, turquoise waters, swaying palm trees and delicious seafood. It is, however, important to take note of the regions two distinct rainy seasons: Generally, the main rainy season (the long rains) produces tropical downpours in the afternoons and many safari camps close. If you're taking a tour that requires you to leave and reenter Zimbabwe, be sure to get a double-entry visa for $45. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. When to go on a safari sometimes depends on when you can take a vacation. However, we also thoroughly recommend journeying to parts of Africa . Safaris, Madagascar By clicking Accept you agree that we use Analytical cookies for gathering information about how our Etosha National Park is Namibia's prime safari destination and the best time to visit is from May to September. This game-rich, privately managed section of the Marakele National Park offers a rare safari experience: conservation-focused activities that allow guests a hands-on approach to wildlife management and ecological conservation creating a travel experience with a purpose. As will driving the continents highest road to see an Ethiopian wolf Africas most endangered carnivore. Easily accessible from Johannesburg by road or air, this private game reserve is a sanctuary for the Magnificent 7: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah and rare wild dog. Regardless of your destination, your passport should be valid for at least six months before you leave for your trip. Tanzania's Southern Parks are perfect to visit during this time since the animals tend to congregate around permanent water and it isn't so hot and humid. Plus, Uganda offers the chance to augment your gorilla trekking experience with one-of-a-kind chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park as well as fantastic game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tours, Kenya 5 Best Places to Go on Safari in 2023 | Go2Africa Come with U.S. News on a tour of L'Ermitage Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Come with U.S. News on a tour of The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Kenya is a country where you'll be at risk of yellow fever transmission; it also requires those traveling from other places with yellow fever or cholera outbreaks to be vaccinated against these illnesses. Ray-Ban is known for making some of the best polarized sunglasses in the industry and the Erika style works great for a safari. website is used, as well as Advertising and social media cookies (including cookies from trusted Beyond these major attractions, most of which are accessible along the countrys well-maintained network of paved roads, some of Namibias other major attractions, such as Damaraland with its stirring mountains and desert-adapted elephants, consist of pretty rugged country thats probably best left to more experienced Africa hands. We recommend avoiding the coast from about March to May when temperatures and rainfall are at their highest. Its home to the largest elephant herds in East Africa and delivers excellent sightings of predators like lion, leopard, cheetah and highly endangered wild dog. Many safari packages also cover transportation to and from the airstrips, food and lodging. Safaris. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda's premier game viewing destination and most accessible savannah reserve. The only reason why many first-time travellers might hesitate before flying into Johannesburg is the countrys reputation for crime. During the tour operator's 10-day Kings of the Jungle safari which starts at $11,340 per person travelers will see breathtaking natural wonders like the Ngorongoro Crater and the Maasai Mara savanna. A mountainous wonderland completely surrounded by South Africa, Lesotho offers an array of adventurous options. Consult the World Health Organization's website for a list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Kenya and Uganda. But according to one new survey, critical conservation activities have been . Additionally, all five regions of the Serengeti Northern Serengeti, the Western Corridor, Eastern Serengeti, Central Serengeti and Southern Serengeti are accessible by air through several regional carriers and nine internal airstrips. This magnificent game park sprawls across 5,700 square miles of northern Tanzania in East Africa. 2. You'll also have the opportunity to go on a nighttime safari to spot nocturnal wildlife. These months offer the best chances of witnessing the wildebeest migration. June to November is Tanzania's dry season and is the best time to visit all the parks (and you can always hop over to Kenya's Masai Mara to witness the Great Migration during this time). The short rains season sees the occasional brief shower, but safari camps stay open and game viewing is good. A ten-day to two-week jaunt around the north is a fine way to fall in love with Africa, especially if you add some days on the island of Zanzibar. Prices start at $4,299 per person and cover game drives; many of your meals; and stays at luxury hotels, camps and lodges. In South Africa, connections are simple. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. The wildebeest calving in . American visitors to Uganda must apply online for an electronic visa before departure; arriving in Uganda without completing this process could result in your detainment. Not only can you enjoy seeing baby animals, but the predators are at the highest number too. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Inoculation requirements can include vaccination against COVID-19 and yellow fever, and you'll need to get these vaccines before departing on your trip. 14 of 15. See our The best time to go on safari in Kenya and experience a vast density and diversity of wildlife is when the annual migration of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and gnudescend on the Mara plains with predators close behind. Botswana is one of Africa's most expensive safari destinations because many of the parks are inaccessible by road and you have to charter a small plane to get there. Along with Ruaha, the Nyerere National Park (Selous) forms part of the lesser-known Southern Tanzania safari region. Zambia. Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is easily incorporated in a South African holiday. Note: Some of the African countries in this article may require travelers to get an entry visa and certain vaccinations in order to visit. This article was first published October 2019 and updated December 2020. Safaris, Mozambique Your sleep is bound to be disturbed by the occasional lion roaring, but remember that it probably sounds closer than it is. Phone +27 13 735 4000. Rates are inclusive of in-park cottage accommodations and all breakfasts, dinners, snacks and drinks. Victoria Falls, Africas largest waterfall, is a must-go-to destination; standing in the spray of this powerful curtain of flowing water is both moving and majestic. Unvaccinated travelers must take a PCR test no more than 72 hours before departure, and the test results should be accessible by QR code. Zimbabwes rising starTravelling to Africa with my young daughters: a fathers storyWhy seeing chimpanzees is one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences. Like Kenya, Uganda is a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. The island archipelago nation of Seychelles combines some of the worlds most beautiful beaches with astonishing biodiversity. Indeed, with its pristine 2,600km/1,616mi dune-fringed coastline, the country is southern Africas most alluring beach destination. Most visitors never encounter any difficulties, but theres no denying security can be an issue in South Africa, particularly in urban areas. Best time to visit South Africa - Rough Guides