Is there a best time for safari?
 

I'm just starting to do research for a safari trip and feel like the first question is whether there is a best time for doing a safari. Some of the posts I've read touch on that, but I haven't seen anything definitive. Is there a best time in terms of number of animals seen or temperatures or other factors?

Thanks.

hi sally,

are you thinking of east africa or southern africa?

craig

This link will give you best times for wildlife viewing and temps.

http://www.africa-adventure.com/dsp_besttime.html

Craig -- At the moment I am absolutely clueless. I have been reading the posts here, but don't really have a notion about which part of Africa we want to see or when. I think I need to read with a map in hand because I know so little that things I'm reading aren't really sinking in as far as place.

atravelynn -- That link is fantastic. Thanks for that.

Sallyky,

If you start with what you'd like to see, such as the gorillas, the migration of the wildebeest and zebra or Victoria Falls, then posters can help you narrow the places based on that.

Here is a link that contains other links to help you get started.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35095477

Try to get a handle on what you expect from a safari, and/or your trip to Africa. On my first I told my TA I wanted to see the big 5, up close, personal and often. Mala Mala in Sept. worked for that :-)

regards - tom

sally - i have been to malamala in several different seasons and the big five always abound!

what is your budget including flights to/from the usa per person? that would really help narrow down the choices.

using our seasons (america):
game in south africa is best in summer and fall. same for botswana and zimbabwe.
game in kenya is best in summer.
game in tanzania is best in winter.

these are very general comments.

craig

sally -

Pick up a copy of Fodor's Complete Safari Planning Guide, with useful info of the various safari countries..

There is nothing definitive and travelers have their own needs and wishes.

"best" varies by time of year, country, game, cities, and of course, costs.... and still you often have to make a choice.

The best time for a safari is whenever you are on one:>.

Im seconding that!

sallyky,
On my first trip, I wanted mainly a safari with abundant animals, comfortable lodges, and as few fellow tourists as possible. But I wanted to see South Africa too because of its fascinating history, post-apartheid democracy, and great diversity of geography and people. So you can see animals, experience one of the world's most beautiful cities (Cape Town), drive through their version of the Grand Canyon, tour the wine country, and on and on. And we added Victoria Falls too, for obvious reasons.
If it's ONLY animals you want, I would head to Botswana for sheer vast emptiness and stunning wildlife, but maybe not all the Big 5 in one spot. For both of these countries probably August thru September is ideal because the animals are more easily spotted in the dry season with less foliage.
Haven't been to East Africa yet, which is a different experience. That's next up on the list...

check out this site - quite handy it compares East and Southern Africa in terms of safaris...

africansafaritravel.com

When to go, where and a nice calendar feature by months for the different destinations..

In the Sabi Sands you are going to have good game viewing all year round just because there is so much game concentrated in a much smaller area - Londolozi is a personal favourite. Botswana and Zambia are best between June and October... Hope this helps - don't get to overwhelmed by all the info. Find yourself a good tour operator and stick with them. Generally a good African tour operator should be travelling to these regions 2 or 3 times a year.

Hi Sally,

Once you have decided on which region you want to visit, East or South Africa (and for sheer numbers of game then East is the better), the next thing to consider is the rainy seasons because during the rains you will see less game, the bush is much thicker and of course the light is generally not as good for photo's. With this in mind East Africa has two rainy seasons Nov - Dec (short rains) and Mar - May (long rains, in the South (South of Zambia) the rains generally fall Jan - Mar. We travel for 6-8 mths of every year in Africa and would recommend if you only go on Safari once then go to the Trans Mara area of the Masai Mara in Kenya around Aug - Sept, you won't be disappointed.
Peter

Budget largely influenced our decision of when to go on safari (and the kids school vacation). We went during the green season (over Christmas) in Botswana, when prices were less than half off high season prices. It never rained once during our trip, although one day it barely drizzled. And, our sightings were wonderful! - we did not have a surfeit of animals, but we had quality - we loved it!

Sallyky,

The site Mistypopper mentions is a good one. I believe it has been revised and improved lately along with all of the Go2Africa website.

It looks like a great place to start getting informed and has the maps you wanted.

Unlike Kinkey, I am not doing an ad. I just like their website. I've also found their staff to be prompt and thorough in replying to requests. But this still is not an ad. I have not traveled with Go2Africa.

I should say more than half off high season prices... way cheaper, anyway.

Thanks for the help everybody. I've really been feeling overwhelmed. I guess I knew quite a bit about Europe before starting trip planning for there, and that makes a difference. You've given me some good places to start.