Written on
Apr 2, 2024
Timing is everything, especially if your dream safari centers around witnessing a seasonal event in Africa. If you want the best diving conditions or front row seats to wildlife spectacles like the Great Migration, or to simply book a vacation that offers the best value, then you need to know what and when to book. Use our 'Book now for' blog as a quick and easy guide to avoid missing out on the best experiences to be had in Africa.
What to book now for travel in January to March 2019
Book Now For South Africa
Taking a cable car to the top of Table Mountain is part of the Cape Town experience.Diverse in its landscape and cultural heritage, South Africa has something to offer everyone all year round. Vibrant cities such as Cape Town boast a pristine coastline, gorgeous mountains, and award-winning vineyards, whilst the Garden Route is renowned for being one of the world’s best self-drive destinations, stretching 300 kilometers from the seaside town of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The Garden Route offers unique sights and experiences around every corner.A visit to South Africa is not complete without experiencing an authentic safari in an untouched and protected wilderness. There are a collection of private concessions that form part of the greater Kruger Park, as well as in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Madikwe Game Reserves. A safari in one of these private concessions offers exclusive traversing rights, day and night game drives in open safari vehicles, guided bush walks, and the ultimate big five game viewing opportunities.
Book Now For Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking gifts travelers with the closest wildlife encounter Africa has to offer.Gorilla trekking is the wildlife adventure of a lifetime but is often considered to be a second time trip for travelers to Africa. Uganda and Rwanda boast impenetrable forests that offer sanctuary to some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas, making it the only place on the planet where you can come eye to eye with these gentle animals. The month of January welcomes the first dry period after the rainy season and becomes much drier in the month of February, making it the ideal time for gorilla trekking. The hiking conditions are relatively easier and there is a lower risk of malaria, although taking precautions is still advisable. Treks generally average on four and five hours as you search for your allocated gorilla family, and once they are located the interaction is then restricted to one hour and no more than eight people are permitted in a group. As a means of protecting these endangered animals, strict control is kept in the parks with the purchase of permits.
Book Now For Botswana
The Kalahari lions are known for their majestic size and are admired for their adaption to a harsh environment.During the months of January to March, Botswana experiences its rainy season, and although not favorable conditions for game viewing, it is most definitely the best time to visit should you love bird watching, with over 500 resident and migratory species recorded. The Central Kalahari on the other hand is best visited during these wet summer months as animals tend to congregate around the pans in the Deception Valley area. Deception Valley is a mysterious place that was named after the blue-clay riverbed that created the illusion of containing water but is actually bone dry and hasn’t seen water in over 15 000 years.During the rainy season, the grasslands tend to be lush and green, attracting an abundance of animals, including large herds of springbok and gemsbok. Visitors to Deception Valley can enjoy a unique safari experience in this isolated wilderness, guided by San bushmen who are sure to dazzle you with their knowledge and skills of the bush.The Makgadikgadi Pans can be visited all year round with animals migrating through the region with every changing season. The wet summer months from December to April generally see animals congregating around the salt pans for a drink, offering incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. It is also the best time for bird watching, with large flocks of flamingos gathered around the pans in search of algae.
Book Now For Kenya
Hot air balloon safaris in the Masai Mara afford a birds-eye view of the reserve and its incredible wildlife.The Masai Mara is a popular safari destination, known for its annual wildebeest migration, and Amboseli National Park which offers views of Tanzania's 5 895 meter Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Kenya is a popular tourist destination in the month of January with some areas getting extremely busy. Boasting clear hot days, bird watching and game viewing is at its prime - particularly in the Masai Mara where there is an abundance of wildlife, including the famous big five and 450 species of birds.The safari experience to be had in Kenya includes game drives, hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, Masai Village visits, bird watching, and bush dining.
Have you seen our Top 10 African Safari Journeys for 2019?
Book Now For Tanzania
The Great Migration is undeniably one of the worlds greatest wildlife spectacles, offering travelers a safari adventure of a lifetime.Tanzania is the place to be in the month of January as the first Great Migration herds reach the Ndutu plains just south of the Serengeti. In the last two weeks of January, the southern Serengeti sees approximately 8 000 wildebeest born daily and this spectacular event continues into the later part of February. During the calving season, the big cats become more active as they seek opportunities to strike. The Northern Circuit is a great choice for travel in the month of March as camps generally reduce their rates, offering incredible value for money. The Serengeti plains are lush, dust levels are minimal and most wildlife species are easy to spot.
Book Now For Namibia
The Skeleton Coast is one of the world's most surreal destinations. It is the meeting point of desert and ocean.Namibia has something to offer everyone all year round, even during the wet summer months of December to March. Some days will be humid and rain may follow in the form of an afternoon thunderstorm, but this rarely impacts your overall experience. The wet season generally sees animals move away from the waterholes and scatter around the various game parks, making animal spotting harder. But it is the best time to visit if you are looking to see newborn babies and enjoy incredible bird watching.Other Namibian destinations such as the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert are at their prime during these months and offer incredible experiences such as scenic flights, visits to the Cape Cross seal colony, hiking along the ancient Ugab and Huab Riverbeds, historical tours through Kolmanskop, and incredible photo opportunities of a desolate coastline dotted with shipwrecks.
Book Now For Victoria Falls
Scenic helicopter flights offer incredible views of the Victoria Falls and the gorgeous rainbows.The iconic Victoria Falls is a sight to behold and is regarded to be the largest curtain of falling water in the world. The Falls can be viewed from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and each destination offers an incredible selection of adventure activities, including scenic helicopter flights, high-wire activities, river cruises, and white water rafting. The summer months are generally hot and humid, with short afternoon thunderstorms that make way to the most magical sunsets. The Falls is at its peak between February and July, with the water levels rising approximately one meter, causing a stronger force of water to flow through the gorge. The overspray resembles that of smoke, giving way to the name “the smoke that thunders”. During the wet season, it is easy to combine a tour of the Falls with a safari experience in one of the pristine game reserves in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The wet season sees the arrival of newborn babies and is the best time for bird watching, with many migratory birds present in the reserves.
Book Now For Mozambique
White sandy beaches and warm crystal blue waters are what vacations in Mozambique are all about.Whilst the cyclone months of January and February are best avoided, the month of March sees some relief in the rainfall and lodges begin to breathe life again as the days become hot and humid. Experiencing a sub-tropical climate and warm Indian Ocean current, the islands of Mozambique offer pristine white sand swimming beaches, an array of water activities, incredible diving opportunities with gorgeous marine life and protected coral reefs, and sumptuous Mozambican cuisine. The month of March also sees turtles come ashore to nest which is incredible to watch. Mozambique is a destination that is easily combined with an exhilarating big five safari experience in South Africa.
Book Now for Seychelles
The Seychelles is a divers paradise with its untouched coral reefs and incredible marine life.The Seychelles is an incredible beach destination which encompasses an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, off East Africa. The Seychelles boasts a tropical climate all year round, as well as a variety of luxurious hotels and resorts, gorgeous white sand beaches, and some of the best diving sites in the world. Although snorkeling and sailing are great throughout the year, avid divers do tend to travel between the months of April and May, and again in October and November when the water conditions are at their best and offer visibility of up to 30 meters. Traveling during the months of January to March is highly recommended for travelers wanting those best value travel deals. With so many incredible destinations and unique experiences to choose from, why not let one of our experienced travel experts help plan and book your dream African vacation. We promise honest and reliable travel advice and strive to deliver the best value travel deals.
