When planning a safari or vacation to East Africa, it’s good to do a bit of research to make sure you enjoy exactly the type of experience you expect. You don’t want to spend thousands of bucks just to realize you arrived when the migrating herds have moved on, or even worse, a cyclone is on its way.
As a general rule, East Africa is warm (and dry) throughout the year. But various countries (and even regions within those countries) experience different climates that need to be considered before planning a visit—and we’ll guide you about that today.
East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda) is at its best in the dry months (June to October), when…
One thing to be conscious about is to avoid planning your visit around rainy periods. The region usually experiences two rainy seasons. The first in November (when the short rains come). The second from March to May (when the long rains arrive). November and May are good months to witness fantastic wildlife, but April is reserved for pluviophiles.
The beginning of the dry season. Or, we’d say, the beginning of the best time to visit.
Animals need to come close to rivers and waterholes to drink. This is when we can see the wildebeest migration starting to move northwards into the northern Serengeti before crossing into Kenya’s Masai Mara (around July and August).
The same applies to Rwanda and Uganda. You will get a chance to see gorillas and other primates during the East African winter season. However, since it’s a tropical rainforest, so you can expect rain any day.
Peak season safari East Africa. The dry winter season intensifies. Animals become more desperate for water as the streams begin to dry up with the rising temperatures. Animal concentrations amplify—it’s the best time to be on safari.
The rains usually come as afternoon or night showers—so there’s still plenty of sunshine. It’s the start of the return of the wildebeest migration southwards into Tanzania. But, the animal concentration is sporadic.
The skies are bursting with color. Sunsets and sunrises are absolutely magical. You’d love to be there during the short rains if you’re a keen photographer.
Dry season safari East Africa. Tanzania and Kenya will be the hottest, and the rest of East Africa will be pleasantly warm. Overall, it’s a good time to visit. Especially because the region is beautiful during these months—green and lush!
Wet season safari East Africa. This is when the region experiences the wettest months. Most seasonal camps close for staff leave and reopen after the heaviest rains have passed. Wildlife disperses. Game park roads can become difficult to navigate even with 4x4 safari vehicles. In short, unless you love rain… it’s not the best time for safari.
However, if Wet season is the only time you can go on safari, we would ensure you select accommodations that are open and accessible year around. Likewise, we would fine tune your itinerary to avoid crossing of problematic rivers and streams thus keeping your safari not only adventurous but also as safe as possible.
