Seasonal Calendar | East Africa | Giltedge Africa

EAST AFRICA safari calendar

January: warmest month of the year

January is the warmest month of the year in East Africa.

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Enjoy great game viewing in Amboseli National Park and best views of Mt. Kilimanjaro

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This is also the perfect time to climb Mt Kilimanjaro

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Wildebeest migration is concentrated on the southern short grass plains of Tanzania’s Serengeti with calving taking place late in the month

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Turtle hatching takes on the Indian Ocean seaboard this month as well

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February: the dry season is coming to an end

East Africa has two dry seasons with rains in between, February is rounding the end of the first dry season.

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Wildebeest calving takes place early this month

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Wildlife is concentrated around diminishing water sources and is therefore easier to spot.

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Maulidi Festivals in Lamu during the Month of February

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Flamingos assemble at Lake Nakuru in their millions and the pink mass they create is a natural spectacle.

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March: Dry season is all but over

The rains begin towards the end of this month and are usually scattered and last no more than a few hours, however there is a chance of heavy rain at months end. •

Early March is one of the best times of the year to go Gorilla Tracking

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The best time to witness the migration is probably February - March when the wildebeest and zebra have their young.

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Not only can you enjoy seeing baby animals, but the predators are at the highest number too.

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APRIL: FINEST GAME VIEWING OF THE YEAR

During this month is a time when the countryside is at its most scenic.

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There is a chance of heavy rain during this period and showers can be expected for a few hours every day or every other day

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During April and May the parks of Kenya and Tanzania are fairly empty and accommodation costs are often quite a bit lower

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This month actually offers the finest game viewing opportunities of the year.

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Wildlife concentrations are at their highest in the Southern Serengeti, and the landscape is a lush green

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MAY: HEART OF THE RAINY SEASON

This is the period when the region receives long/torrential rains especially in - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & Rwanda.

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Parks and Game Reserves in East Africa receive fewer visitors and accommodation rates are fairly affordable

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Rwanda - Gorillas tend to be at lower altitudes feeding on young bamboo shoots.

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Good time to visit Seychelles.

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From April to June the Ngorongoro crater will be lush and green and visitor numbers will be at their lowest.

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JUNE: COOLER WEATHER IS APPROACHING

Cooler weather has made its way to East Africa this month.

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Gorilla Naming Ceremonies in Rwanda begin

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Tanzania and Kenya begin to offer good safari conditions.

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Tanzania - Wildebeest migration moves into the western corridor of the Serengeti National park

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The cheetahs in the Serengeti are migratory and many of them go to the eastern plains during the wet season and head back to the central Serengeti for the dry season.

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July: Cool, DRY AND SUNNY

Weather during this month is usually dry & sunny, it is the second best time of the year for Gorilla Tracking.

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The Wildebeest begin heading north towards Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve

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Visitor numbers increase in July

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July to September are also the coolest and most pleasant months in East Africa

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Zebra tend to reach the Northern Serengeti sometime in early July while the wildebeest herds usually begin to appear in the northern Serengeti towards mid July.

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AUGUST: EAST AFRICA IS AT ITS PEAK

East Africa is at its peak and it is prime game-viewing time across most of Africa.

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One of the coolest and most pleasant months in East Africa

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Wildebeest migration resident in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Tanzania’s northern Serengeti

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The grass dies back and, as the season progresses, more and more animals congregate around the permanent sources of water

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Visitors peak in August

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September: one of the most pleasant months

East Africa is till at its peak throughout this month.

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Turtle nesting and egg-laying begins

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European and Asian migrant birds travel southwards through East Africa to Southern Africa in large numbers.

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Good time to visit Seychelles.

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October: sunny & great game viewing

This month brings in the short rains and migration is in full swing.

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The coolest and driest time to visit Zanzibar is between late June and October

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October to December brings the short rains to Tanzania and the central regions of Kenya

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East Africa is at its peak through this month.

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Migration should be in full swing as the herds make their way from the plains to their transitional range located in the Western Serengeti and further to the northern woodlands

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Predators will also be highly visible

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November: short rains mainly at night

Throughout the month short rains over the entire region mainly at night while daytime remains overcast.

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Turtles are still nesting & laying eggs

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Many mammals drop their young with the onset of the rains (not wildebeest)

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Wildebeest migration travels south through the Southern plains of the Serengeti National Park

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The Eastern Plains of the Serengeti come to life and offer excellent game viewing for some species of animals

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November brings the Mombasa Carnival in Kenya with floats, parades and music from every culture, custom and religion

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December: animals congregate near the water

The life giving rains continue as does the great migration with animals congregating near the permanent water sources. •

The GOL Kopjes boasts the highest concentrations of cheetahs in Africa during this time

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The eastern plains are the main wet season range of the giant eland migration

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The best time to go Gorilla Trekking is late December to early March, as the weather at this time of year is generally dry in Uganda and Rwanda

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