Safari seasons are set by the weather. June to October is the cool, dry high season: game gathers at water, the grass is low, and the golf is comfortable. November to April is the green season — baby animals, migrant birds, dramatic skies and better value.
Region by region: the SA bushveld and Sun City are best for game May–October, with golf year-round and coolest April–September — our pick is May–September. The Cape and Winelands flip the script: whales July–November, golf at its best in the September–April summer — go October–March. East Africa peaks with the Migration July–October, with year-round golf in the mild highlands. The gorillas are driest June–September and December–February, with Kigali playable all year. Victoria Falls is fullest April–June, while the golf and game are best May–September. Namibia runs dry May–October with the desert coolest April–September.
Our one rule of thumb: June to October is the sweet spot across most of the continent — cool, dry, easy game viewing and comfortable golf in a single window. And book peak season up to a year ahead: the best camps have under twenty rooms.
— Shelagh Harker