Travel guide
Best time for an African safari
There is no single best month — only the best month for your goal. Dry seasons (Jun–Oct, Jan–Feb) concentrate game; green seasons (Nov–May) cut prices 20–35% with superb birding and calving action.
| Destination | Prime | Good value | Avoid/limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | Jun–Oct, Jan–Mar | Nov–Dec | Apr–May (long rains) |
| Kenya | Jul–Oct, Jan–Mar | Nov–Dec | Apr–May |
| Uganda | Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb | Oct, Mar | Apr–May (muddy trails) |
| Botswana | May–Oct (flood Jun–Aug) | Nov–Apr (zebra migration) | — |
| Namibia | May–Oct | Nov–Apr (dunes fine, hot) | — |
| South Africa | May–Sep (game); Nov–Mar (Cape) | Apr, Oct | — |
Migration detail: month-by-month herds →. Trekkers: Kilimanjaro timing → · gorilla seasons →.
Traveling in a specific month?
We confirm wildlife logic for your exact window.
FAQs
If we can travel only one month, which?
August for peak Migration drama plus dry-season game viewing everywhere. February for calving action and value. Both need early booking.
Is green season actually good?
Yes: babies, birds, dramatic skies, empty sightings, 20-35 percent lower rates. Only April-May long rains genuinely limit.
How do school holidays align?
June-August and December-January match dry and calving seasons well. Book family rooms 9-12 months ahead.
Do we need a visa?
Most visitors need one: Tanzania offers visas on arrival for many nationalities, Kenya uses an eTA applied for online before travel, Uganda an e-visa. We confirm the current rule for your passport before you fly.
One decision per country, and they differ. Tanzania sells visas on arrival for most passports - US$50, US$100 for United States citizens - or by eVisa in advance. Kenya has issued only the eTA since 2024, at US$32.50 online at least three days before departure. Uganda runs an e-visa printed before you fly, and the US$100 East African Tourist Visa folds Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda into a single stamp. Six months of passport validity covers all three. Send us passport details at proposal stage and we confirm every rule for your nationality before you commit to flights.
Traveling solo - how do single supplements work?
All itineraries run solo. Expect a 20 to 50 percent supplement where lodges charge per room; vehicles cost the same whether one or six ride. Ask for the honest supplement math per trip.
Is a balloon flight worth adding?
Once, yes: a dawn flight over the Serengeti or Mara with a bush breakfast runs 550 to 600 dollars and minimum ages apply. Book at proposal stage - seats sell out months ahead in season.
How far ahead should we book?
Peak Migration and gorilla-permit months need 6 to 12 months. Green season often works with 2 to 4 months notice.
Is this trip suitable for children?
With a private vehicle and pools at stops, yes for most routes. Gorilla trekking has a strict minimum age of 15.
How much should we tip?
As a guideline: 15 to 25 dollars per day for your driver-guide (per group, not per person), 10 to 15 dollars per day into camp communal tip boxes, and 20 to 30 dollars for a gorilla porter. Restaurants 10 percent where service is not included.