Timing is everything when planning an East African safari. The best time to go on safari depends on what you want to see and experience. Do you dream of witnessing the Great Migration river crossings in the Masai Mara or Serengeti? Do you want to see wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti? Are you planning to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda? Do you prefer green, lush landscapes with fewer crowds and lower prices? This month-by-month guide to the best time to go on safari covers all of East Africa: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. You will learn about the dry seasons, wet seasons, migration patterns, gorilla trekking conditions, and wildlife highlights for each month. Whether you are a first time safari goer or a seasoned traveller, this guide to the best time to go on safari will help you choose the perfect time for your adventure. At Nomara Safaris, we have guided travellers in every season. We know the best time to go on safari for every priority, from witnessing river crossings to avoiding crowds.
East Africa does not have the traditional four seasons of Europe or North America. Instead, it has dry seasons and wet seasons. The best time to go on safari is generally during the dry seasons, when wildlife congregates around water sources and vegetation is thinner. The long dry season runs from June to October. This is the peak time for wildlife viewing in Tanzania and Kenya, and the time of the Great Migration river crossings. The short dry season runs from December to February. This is also an excellent time for wildlife viewing, with the wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti in February. The long wet season runs from March to May. This is the low season, with lower prices and fewer crowds, but some roads become impassable. The short wet season runs from October to November. This is a transitional period with lower prices and good birding. For gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, the best time to go on safari is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, when the trails are less muddy.
January is part of the short dry season in East Africa and an excellent month for safaris. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are gathering on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Calving season begins, with the first wildebeest calves being born. The predator action is increasing. Lions, cheetahs, and hyenas are active. In Kenya, the Masai Mara has fewer visitors, but resident game viewing is excellent. The landscape is green and lush after the short rains. In Uganda and Rwanda, January is a dry month, making it one of the best times to go on safari for gorilla trekking. The trails are firm, and the trekking is easier. The weather is warm and sunny. January is a popular month for travel, especially over the New Year period. Book well in advance. This month is ideal for travellers who want good weather, excellent wildlife viewing, and the beginning of calving season.
February is the peak of calving season in the southern Serengeti. Half a million wildebeest calves are born within a three week window. The predator action is relentless. Cheetahs hunt daily on the open plains. Lions target the vulnerable newborns. Hyenas work in clans to separate calves from their mothers. For travellers who want to see predator prey interaction, February is the best time to go on safari. The southern Serengeti is less crowded than the northern Serengeti during river crossing season, and prices are lower. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is quiet, with excellent resident game viewing. In Uganda and Rwanda, February is still dry, making it an excellent month for gorilla trekking. The weather is warm. February is also a popular month for combining a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday. This month is ideal for wildlife photographers and anyone who wants to witness the drama of calving season.
March marks the beginning of the long wet season in East Africa. The rains typically start in the second half of the month. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds begin moving west from the southern Serengeti. The calving season winds down. The landscape is still green and beautiful. In Kenya, the Masai Mara receives rain, but game viewing is still good. In Uganda and Rwanda, March is a transitional month. The rains begin, but gorilla trekking is still possible. The trails become muddier. March is a good month for budget travellers. Prices drop significantly as the low season begins. The crowds thin out. The birding is excellent, with migratory species present. This is not the best time to go on safari for river crossings or calving season, but it is excellent for birders and budget travellers who do not mind rain. The rain usually falls in afternoon storms that clear quickly.
April is the wettest month of the year in East Africa. Heavy rainfall is common, especially in the afternoons. In Tanzania, many roads in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro become muddy and challenging. Some lodges close for refurbishment. In Kenya, the Masai Mara receives significant rain. In Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla trekking is still possible but challenging. The trails are slippery, and the rain can be heavy. However, April offers the lowest prices of the year. Lodges offer discounts of 30 to 50 percent. The crowds are almost non existent. The landscapes are lush and green. The birding is exceptional. For adventurous travellers who do not mind mud and rain, April can be a rewarding time to visit. This is the best time to go on safari for budget travellers who want to stretch their dollars. If you choose to travel in April, hire a porter for gorilla trekking and be prepared for wet conditions.
May is the end of the long wet season. The rains begin to taper off, especially in the second half of the month. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are moving through the central Serengeti toward the western corridor. The Grumeti River crossings begin in late May. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is still green and beautiful. In Uganda and Rwanda, the rains decrease, and gorilla trekking conditions improve. May is a transitional month. Prices are still low, but the weather is improving. The crowds remain thin. This is an excellent month for budget travellers who want better conditions than April but still want low prices. For travellers who want to witness the Grumeti River crossings, late May is the start of the season. This is also a good month for birding. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends May for budget conscious travellers who want a balance of good weather and low prices.
June marks the beginning of the long dry season in East Africa. This is widely considered one of the best times to go on safari. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are in the western corridor, crossing the Grumeti River. The crocodiles are active. The weather is dry and sunny. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is beginning to green up after the rains. Resident game viewing is excellent. In Uganda and Rwanda, June is a dry month, making it an excellent time for gorilla trekking. The trails are firm, and the trekking is easier. June is less crowded than July and August, making it an excellent choice for travellers who want good conditions without the peak season crowds. Prices are lower than July and August. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends June for travellers who want excellent wildlife viewing, good weather, and fewer crowds.
July is peak season for safaris in East Africa. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are moving into the northern Serengeti. The Mara River crossings begin. This is one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles on earth. The weather is dry and sunny. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is also hosting the first of the Migration herds. The river crossings on the Kenyan side begin in July. In Uganda and Rwanda, July is a dry month, excellent for gorilla trekking. July is the start of the peak season, so prices are high and crowds are larger. Book your permits and accommodation six to nine months in advance. This is the best time to go on safari for travellers who want to witness the Mara River crossings. The northern Serengeti and Masai Mara are the places to be. Be prepared for higher prices and more vehicles at popular sightings.
August is the busiest month of the year for safaris in East Africa. The wildebeest herds are in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. The Mara River crossings are at their peak. The weather is dry and sunny. This is the best time to go on safari for travellers who want to witness the dramatic river crossings. However, August is also the most crowded month. The crossing points can have dozens of vehicles. Lodges are fully booked months in advance. Prices are at their highest. In Uganda and Rwanda, August is still dry, making it an excellent month for gorilla trekking, though lodges are also busy. If you are planning to travel in August, book your permits and accommodation at least nine months in advance. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends August for travellers who prioritise witnessing the river crossings above all else, even with the crowds.
September is one of the best months for safaris in East Africa. The wildebeest herds are still in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara. The Mara River crossings continue, but the crowds of August have thinned. The weather is still dry and sunny. September offers the best combination of excellent river crossing activity and manageable crowds. In Tanzania, the northern Serengeti is the place to be. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is also excellent. In Uganda and Rwanda, September is a dry month, excellent for gorilla trekking. September is still peak season, so prices are high. Book your permits and accommodation well in advance. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends September for travellers who want to witness the river crossings without the peak August crowds. It is the ideal month for many travellers.
October is the end of the long dry season. The weather is still dry early in the month, but the short rains typically begin in late October. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are beginning to move south from the northern Serengeti. The river crossings taper off. In Kenya, the Masai Mara still has some crossing activity early in the month. In Uganda and Rwanda, October is a transitional month. The short rains begin, but gorilla trekking is still possible. October offers a good balance. Early October has excellent conditions with fewer crowds than September. Late October has lower prices. This is a good month for travellers who want decent conditions and lower prices. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends early October for river crossings and late October for budget travellers.
November is the short wet season in East Africa. The rains typically fall in afternoon storms. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are moving through the eastern Serengeti toward the southern plains. In Kenya, the Masai Mara is quiet, but resident game viewing is still good. In Uganda and Rwanda, November is a wet month. Gorilla trekking is possible but the trails are muddy. November offers lower prices and fewer crowds. The landscapes are lush and green. The birding is exceptional, with migratory species present. For budget travellers and birders, November is an excellent choice. This is not the best time to go on safari for river crossings or calving season, but it is ideal for travellers who want to avoid crowds and save money. The rain usually falls in afternoon storms that clear quickly.
December is a popular month for safaris, especially over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The short dry season begins, with less rain and sunny weather. In Tanzania, the wildebeest herds are arriving on the southern Serengeti plains. Calving season begins in late December. In Kenya, the Masai Mara has good resident game viewing. In Uganda and Rwanda, December is a dry month, excellent for gorilla trekking. December is peak season for travel, so prices are high and lodges are busy. Book early, especially for the holiday period. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends December for travellers who want good weather and excellent wildlife viewing and are travelling during the holiday season. The wildebeest calving season begins, and the festive atmosphere adds to the experience.
For the Great Migration river crossings, the best time to go on safari is from July to October, with September and early October offering the best combination of activity and manageable crowds. For calving season and predator action, February is the best month. The southern Serengeti is the place to be. For gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, the best time to go on safari is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. The trails are less muddy, and the trekking is easier. For bird watching, the best time to go on safari is during the wet seasons from November to May, when migratory species are present. For avoiding crowds and saving money, the best time to go on safari is during the wet seasons from March to May and October to November.
For combining a safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday, the best time to go on safari is from June to October for the dry season in Zanzibar. For a honeymoon, the best time to go on safari is during the dry seasons for the best weather and wildlife viewing. For families with school age children, the best time to go on safari is during the summer holidays from June to August or the winter holidays in December. For photographers, the dry seasons offer the best light, but the wet seasons offer dramatic skies and lush landscapes. This guide to the best time to go on safari helps you choose based on your unique priorities.
The best month to go on safari in East Africa depends on your priorities. For the Great Migration river crossings, September is ideal. For calving season and predator action, February is best. For gorilla trekking, any dry season month (June to September or December to February) works well. For avoiding crowds and saving money, April is the lowest priced month. This guide to the best time to go on safari helps you choose based on what you want to see.
Yes, the wet season can be an excellent time for safari for budget travellers and birders. Prices drop by 30 to 50 percent. The crowds disappear. The landscapes are lush and green. The birding is exceptional. The rain usually falls in afternoon storms that clear quickly. The main drawbacks are that some roads become impassable and the trekking for gorillas is muddier. For travellers who are flexible and prepared, the wet season is a good time to go on safari.
The Great Migration is a year round event. From December to March, the herds are in the southern Serengeti for calving season. From April to June, they move through the central Serengeti and western corridor, crossing the Grumeti River in May and June. From July to October, they are in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara, crossing the Mara River. The best time to go on safari for river crossings is July to October, with September and early October being the best.
The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. The trails are less muddy, and the trekking is easier. The vegetation is thinner, making the gorillas easier to spot. The wet seasons from March to May and October to November are muddier but have lower prices and fewer visitors. This guide to the best time to go on safari recommends the dry seasons for first time trekkers.
The cheapest time to go on safari is during the wet seasons from March to May and October to November. April is the wettest month and has the lowest prices. Lodges offer discounts of 30 to 50 percent. Some lodges close for refurbishment in April. If you are flexible with your dates and willing to accept some rain, the wet season is the best time to go on safari for budget travellers.
Choosing the best time to go on safari is essential for a successful trip. At Nomara Safaris, we help you choose the perfect time based on your priorities. Contact Nomara Safaris to begin planning your East African safari. Tell us what you want to see and when you want to travel. We will recommend the best time to go on safari for your dream adventure.