When planning a trip to Africa, we seriously have to consider dates, else we be stranded in storms, unable to go on trails or miss out on animals during safaris, or just miss out on sunny beach days. To ensure your best possible trip, read on to find out which months are the best for visiting Africa.
June to September – Best for East and Southern Africa
Best time to see: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Botswana.
At this time of year, it’s is dry season there, that means warm temperatures, little rain, and the animals are less hard to find since they congregate around water sources, total safari score! It’s the best time for a safari, especially for events like the Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. Seriously, learn about the Great Migration, it’s beautiful.
October to March – Best for North Africa
Best time for: Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria
During the colder months, Northern Africa is much more pleasant, so that means mid Fall to early Spring for beachy paradise without heatstroke. These months avoid the harshest heat, especially in desert areas and cities like Cairo or Marrakech. Ideal for exploring around, strolling medinas, and not fainting on cobblestone pavements or beah towels.
November to February – Best for West Africa
Best time to visit: Senegal, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin
As was the case above, dry season is best for some places. The humidity is lower, the roads are more stable, and cultural events like Ghana’s Afrochella or Benin’s Vodun Festival become real. Earlier than that and you are dodging tropical rainstorms, just nnoying, plan ruining rain in general.
December to February – Also Great for Central Africa
Best time to go to: Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, or Congo
For the same reason as most of the above, late dry season (Dec–Feb) is the most manageable. Trails are more passable, and gorilla treks or rainforest hikes are less of a mud-fest. That’s not to say rain season is just a major buzz kill, but the much harder travel, the possibility of floods and even sickness doesn’t make it as appealing a time for travel, that’s what makes winter months the best for Africa.
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