What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY

Best Time to Visit East Africa

Africa's best tailor-made safaris

The Best Time to Visit East Africa

For the ultimate safari adventure, the best time to visit East Africa is generally during the dry seasons from December to February and June to October. These periods offer prime wildlife viewing as vegetation thins out and animals gather around limited water sources, increasing your chances of witnessing spectacular events like the Great Wildebeest Migration.

While the wet season (March to May and November) offers lush landscapes and fewer crowds, some areas may experience accessibility challenges due to heavy rainfall.

Best Time

December - February / June - October

(Dry conditions)

High Season

June to October

(Height of the Great Wildebeest Migration)

Low Season

March to May

(Rainy conditions but fewer crowds)

Worst Weather

Late March to May

(Rainy season can cause accessibility issues)

Dry Season: December to February and June to October

  • Green Checkmark Dry conditions thin out vegetation, making wildlife easier to spot
  • Green Checkmark Many animals congregate around the few remaining water sources
  • Green Checkmark The Great Migration is at its peak between June and October, especially for river crossings
  • Green Checkmark Late January to February is peak calving season for the Great Migration, attracting many predators
  • Green Checkmark Gorilla trekking trails are drier and easier to navigate
  • Red Error Icon Busy, with many travellers going on safari
  • Red Error Icon Accommodation books up quickly, so need to plan well in advance

Wet Season: March to May and November

  • Green Checkmark Low season, so fewer crowds
  • Green Checkmark Lush, green landscapes for stunning photography
  • Green Checkmark From November, migratory birds arrive, creating excellent birdwatching opportunities
  • Red Error Icon Heavy rainfall causing some camps to close and making roads muddy/impassable
  • Red Error Icon Harder to spot wildlife in dense vegetation and with an abundance of water sources

Peak Season

Low Season

Shoulder Season

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

933 Reviews - 5/5 Stars

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us

star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Our trip to Kenya and Tanzania met and exceeded expectations! The Africa Safari Expert took our group’s information and my requests and created a trip that hit all the highlights of an African Safari. The itinerary took us through two countries and six regi..."

Amy Morimoto Stephens, United States•11 Sep 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Google review

"We booked our 10-day safari in Tanzania and Kenya through Discover Africa, and it exceeded every expectation. From our first conversation through the end of our journey, everything was exceptionally well organized, allowing us to focus entirely on enjoying ..."

Dwyane George, United States•04 Aug 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"We really enjoyed our trip from South Africa to Botswana and Zimbabwe! Sometimes a lot of whether a trip is successful comes down to the logistics. In this case, Susan Veldman and the company took care of all details related to our accommodations, transitio..."

Martha Engber, United States•22 May 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon
Trustpilot review

"Matthys van Aswegen of Discover Africa went above and beyond to plan a two week trip for myself and my family (6 travelers) through multiple African countries that was unforgettable! There were many moving parts to our schedule, but every step was thorou..."

Ann Schall, United States•08 Mar 2026•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"Our safari trip to South Africa was nothing short of spectacular and I would like to thank Chrizaan for putting together a wonderful itinerary for us. Our first contact with Discover Africa was with a consultant who was amazing and very personable. Our plan..."

Rick, Canada•15 Oct 2025•

Read More
star-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-iconstar-icon

"I started planning my Africa safari/vacation about two years ago with the help of Diane, and was transitioned to Chrizaan about halfway through my timeline. There was zero issues with changing my guide, and both ladies were SUPER lovely to work with. I was ..."

Kaleigh Gray, United States•02 Oct 2025•

Read More
View All Testimonials

Our safari traveller reviews are independently verified and sourced from trusted third-party review platforms.