Travel Tips | Green Pangolin

Safari Travel Tips

When to Travel

South Africa

SA is a year round destination, each of its nine provinces offering varying climates and wildlife opportunities. Generally speaking, the UK's summer is South Africa's winter.

Summer

Between November and March is ideal for a beach holiday in Cape Town, a visit to the Winelands or a road trip down the Garden Route to the malaria free game reserves of the Eastern Cape. December is high season along the coast so best to book early.

Summer is the "green season" in the Kruger area. Water is plentiful, the bush is thick and lush making wildlife more difficult to spot. It's a peak season for birding, the number of species increasing with the arrival of the migrants after the first summer rains.

Autumn

April to June is a shoulder season and a good time to combine regions. The weather is warm and dry although the evenings can be chilly. It is a less busy time to go on safari. There is some superb wildlife viewing to be had and often at lower prices .

Winter

June to August is arguably the best time to go on safari.Water is scarce and the waterholes are busy. The bush has thinned out making for good wildlife viewing in the Kruger area. The days are warm and dry but prepare for chilly mornings and evenings. Along the Western Cape coastline, the whale watching season has begun with the southern right whales cruising close to the shoreline to give birth. Winter is chilly in Cape Town, the cable car to Table Mountain may be closed in August for maintenance, but there are memorable cosy evenings to be had around the fireside in the Cape Winelands at low-season prices.

Spring

September to November is a great time to combine regions. The wildlife viewing is excellent at this time of year. Temperatures are rising, the bush is not yet thick, and many animals are giving birth, so there are good photo opportunities of animals with their young. In the Western Cape the flowers are in full bloom, so a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a must. Spring is prime time for whale and great white shark watching along the coastline.

Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls

Known as Mosi-oa-Tunya - 'The Smoke That Thunders' Victoria Falls is an incredible destination to combine with a South African safari but you may want to bear in mind the change in seasons.

From February to May, after the summer rains, you will see the largest sheet of falling water on the planet flowing at its greatest volume. The weather can be hot and humid and due to spray and mist visibility from ground level can be limited.

From April to June the Zambezi River is still flowing high and the falls are at their most magnificent. Rainbows are frequent and it is the best time of year to enjoy a breathtaking view by helicopter.

The falls flow all year round on the Zimbabwe side of the Zambezi. July and August are the dry season with lower volumes of water but less spray and mist giving you greater visibility. Levels are at their lowest between September and November. Visibility is good on the Zimbabwean side but may dry up completely on the Zambian side of the river. The rains arrive in late October to November transforming the landscape once again. Bear in mind that the seasons vary slightly from year to year.

Rwanda Gorilla Treck

Although trecking to discover this iconic primate in it's natural habitat is a year round activity, it is ideal during the dry seasons when the forests are more navigable and the weather more predictable. There are two dry seasons. The short dry season from Jan to March and the long dry season from June to October.

The Great Migration - Masai Mara, Kenya.

Each year, between the dry months of July and October, over 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrate from the southern Serengeti to the lush green grasses of the Mara Plains crossing crocodile infested rivers and running the gauntlet of the big cats in their bid to survive. The best time to view this incredible spectacle is in August and September.

Packing Essentials

As a rule of thumb, pack light when going on safari, especially if you travelling in a small bush plane to your lodge. Most lodges offer a laundry service.

Here is a rough guide to the essentials.

Loose neutral coloured clothing for the game drives and bush walks. Long sleeve shirts to protect you from the African sun (and mosquitos), shorts and tees for the days and longs for the evenings.
A fleece or warm jacket is ideal for chilly mornings and night drives, particularly in the winter months.
A light waterproof jacket will be useful for the odd shower, although most lodges provide ponchos for game drives.
Comfortable walking shoes or trainers for bush walks and flip-flops for chilling at the lodge by the pool.
A brimmed hat or cap, essential to protect you from the African sun on game drives and bush walks.
Going on safari is a casual affair but you may want to throw in something a little dressier for dinner in the evening.
Sunglasses.
Sunscreen & mosquito repellent.
Binoculars for bird watching and to make the most of your game viewing experience.
Camera/charger/memory cards.
If you are planning on going on a bush walk a small knapsack is useful.
Take copies of your important documents; visa, passport, tickets, insurance, contact details.
If you are flying to your lodge in a bush plane be aware of the weight restrictions of the airline.

Health & Safety

As with other destinations, planning is key when travelling to Southern Africa.

Going on safari is actually very safe. In the deepest wilderness you are away from the crowds and associated risks. There are protocols in place when viewing wildlife and the sanitation at the lodges is excellent.

When driving, plan your routes in advance and don't travel at night. In towns and cities stick to the beaten track and be vigilant in crowded areas.

When on safari don't walk at night without your guide. Remember you are in a wild place.

Malaria - certain areas are a higher risk for malaria at certain times of year. You may want to take this into consideration when deciding where and when to travel, especially when travelling with children. Many areas are malaria free all year round. The African bush is not highly populated so the risk is lower than in towns. Speak to your doctor before you travel about whether they advise you take anti-malarials. Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evenings and use mosquito repellent.
Vaccines - make sure that your usual vaccines are up to date before you travel. Check with your doctor what additional vaccines you may need for the area you are travelling to. For example in Kenya you will need a yellow fever vaccine.
Take a small first aid kit. This could include plasters, antihistamine, paracetamol, hand sanitiser. The guides always carry a first aid kit in the vehicle.
Make sure you have the appropriate travel insurance.
Always check in advance the latest FCDO travel advice on the gov.uk website including on entry requirements, safety, covid, security and local laws and customs.