The best locations for safari in Africa in July

July is the second month of the cool dry season in Botswana, the prime period for wildlife viewing.

By now, the landscapes should be almost dried out, with the long grasses having yellowed and toppled and the wildlife significantly migrated back towards permanent water, making for strong and reliable wildlife viewing.

This is the second month when the floods typically fully arrive into the west and northcentral parts of the Okavango and Linyanti wetlands, which can be fun to witness and can create a clustering of wildlife.

The night time temperatures remain low, meaning hot water bottles in bed and ponchos on morning drives.

Unfortunately, the prices in almost all lodges are now at their highest. The lodges are likely to be fully booked, but that’s not a particular problem.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) has a converse seasonality to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. It is winter at this time, which is not perfect, but still pleasant. There are also options to combine with tropical beaches.

July is generally considered to be a very good time to visit Tanzania.

The weather in Tanzania during July should have improved to excellent in virtually all areas. The dry season should be well underway, which means there should be lots of sunshine and very little rainfall, although skies can become hazy and nighttime temperatures can be slightly lower than usual. On the coast the tropical showers and onshore winds should have diminished considerably.

Temperatures in most areas should reach 25-30C/77-86F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. Nights in Ngorongoro can still drop well below 10C/50F. The summit of Kilimanjaro can drop to -30C/-22F and snow may be heavy.

Safari in Tanzania in July ranges from very good to excellent. As the dry season starts to take full effect, so the animals start to move back in towards the permanent sources of water, improving sightings in virtually all the main safari areas.

Towards the middle of the month the wildebeest migration should be reaching the prime Serengeti Mara area, with the increasing prospect of major river crossings.

Conditions on Kilimanjaro are good. We are now well into the main trekking season and conditions are continuing to improve, although temperatures remain relatively low and heavy snow can be experienced on the summit approaches.

Visitor traffic in June ranges from high to very high, climbing through the month, heading towards an August peak. Core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and serious strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least six months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests.

By July, the dry season is fully underway in Zambia, still with pleasantly cool temperatures, but with sunshine levels remaining down at around 8 hours per day.

All of the key reserves remain fully open and all the little backtracks are passable.

The bush has now turned yellow and the long grasses have dropped, providing better visibility. As the seasonal waterholes should now have dried out, the animals will mostly be congregated within walking distance of permanent water, making for productive and reasonably predictable wildlife viewing.

Visitor numbers are climbing from medium to high through the month, making lodges in more remote areas or quiet private concessions all the more attractive.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) has a converse seasonality to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. It is winter at this time, which is not perfect, but still pleasant. There are also options to combine with tropical beaches.

By July, the dry season is fully underway in Zimbabwe, still with pleasantly cool temperatures, but with sunshine levels remaining down at around 8 hours per day.

All of the key reserves remain fully open and all the little backtracks are passable.

The bush has now turned yellow and the long grasses have dropped, providing better visibility. As the seasonal waterholes should now have dried out, the animals will mostly be congregated within walking distance of permanent water, making for productive and reasonably predictable wildlife viewing.

Visitor numbers are climbing from medium to high through the month, making lodges in more remote areas or quiet private concessions all the more attractive.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) has a converse seasonality to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. It is winter at this time, which is not perfect, but still pleasant. There are also options to combine with tropical beaches.

The Jun-Oct period covers the main winter dry season, the most popular time for visiting Namibia.

As the seasonal waterholes out in the surrounding hinterlands dry out, the animals become obliged to migrate in towards the permanent waterholes of the Etosha area, clustering together in the densities for which the reserve is renowned. This effect is also true of other wildlife areas like Damaraland North and Twyfelfontein.

Temperatures in Etosha during the early part of this season, Jun-Aug, can be relatively cool, the day time average being around 25C/77F, dropping at night to around 8C/46F. It can get a great deal cooler at night out in the western deserts.

Visitor traffic is often heavy through this period, with the main peak for international visitors Jul-Sep. Traffic avoidance techniques (like staying on private reserves and visiting more remote areas) should definitely be deployed.

July is generally considered to be a very good time of year to visit Uganda, with lower rainfall in some key areas.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall has now dropped to around 38mm (1.5”) through the month.

This rainfall is about as low as it gets in this part of the world, leading to good conditions for gorilla tracking.

Temperatures can get relatively cold at night, dropping to around 7C (45F). Early morning activities can therefore be quite chilly so travellers should bring appropriate clothing.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above, but Kidepo Valley continues to experience considerable rain and is really not good.

Visitor traffic tends to be high in July, so it’s best to book well in advance in order to ensure rooms at the best lodges and permits for the best gorilla families.

Visitor traffic tends to be medium in June, but it is always good to book permits as early as possible, to get on the best gorilla families.

July is generally considered to be a very strong month to visit Kenya.

By this time, the whole of the country is enjoying dry and sunny conditions, with comfortable temperatures.

In the Maasai Mara, temperatures should be around 25C/77F, with rainfall down around 25mm/1″ for the month. The main migration herds should be arriving from the Serengeti, so river crossings start to become a major feature, with plenty of crocodile action. There should also be strong general wildlife viewing, with plenty of predator action.

In the northern areas of Laikipia, Samburu and Mathews Range, where conditions are generally more arid, temperatures should be comfortable, with very low chances of rain. Wildlife viewing should be very strong.

Conditions are also good down on the tropical coast, where temperatures should be around 29C/84F, with rainfall at a relatively low 50mm/2″ for the month.

Visitor numbers in July are very high in July, so traffic avoidance techniques should be applied, including the use of private concessions in the Maasai Mara and more remote lodges in other areas.

July is a good time of year in South Africa if you are looking to prioritise weather conditions in the safari areas, rather than the Cape.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) is in midwinter at this time, still with generally pleasant conditions, but with occasional prolonged storms.

The safari areas of South Africa (Kruger, Madikwe, Tswalu, Waterberg) are in the third month of the cool dry season, with good weather, receded foliage and wildlife spending more time around the permanent waterholes.

Visitor traffic in July can be relatively low in the Cape, but is high in the safari areas, making it necessary to deploy traffic avoidance techniques (such as sticking to private concession areas).

July is generally considered to be a really good month in which to visit Rwanda.

In the Virunga Mountains area, the temperatures are stable at around 25C (77F), but the rainfall drops further to only 25mm (1”) for the month.

The lower rainfall makes for considerably better conditions for gorilla tracking.

By July, the long grasses in Akagera should have significantly died back, making for more productive wildlife viewing.

Visitor traffic tends to be relatively high at this time, so it’s best to book well in advance in order to ensure gorilla permits and rooms at the best lodges.

July is considered to be an excellent time to visit Madagascar.

In the Andasibe area of the Central Highlands, July is the second month of the cool dry season. Temperatures have dropped to a pleasant 15C (60F). Rainfall is still up at 75mm (3”) for the month, but that is considered low by local standards.

Up in Nosy Be, in the tropical northwest, the always high temperatures are up around 31C (88F), with rainfall around 25mm (1”) for the month.

Down in Tulear, in the arid southwest, temperatures are down around 27C (81F), with rainfall at 5mm (0.25”) for the month. Much lower humidities make these temperatures feel much more comfortable.

July is the first month of the whale season, with humpbacks and southern rights migrating through the channels.

Visitor traffic in July is climbing fast, reaching its year-round peak towards the end of the month, so traffic avoidance measures should be deployed (mainly choosing more remote lodges and avoiding renowned hotspots).

By July, the dry season is fully underway in Malawi, still with pleasantly cool temperatures, but with sunshine levels remaining down at around 8 hours per day.

All of the key reserves remain fully open and all the little backtracks are passable.

The bush has now turned yellow and the long grasses have dropped, providing better visibility. As the seasonal waterholes should now have dried out, the animals will mostly be congregated within walking distance of permanent water, making for productive and reasonably predictable wildlife viewing.

Visitor numbers are climbing from medium to high through the month, making lodges in more remote areas or quiet private concessions all the more attractive.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) has a converse seasonality to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. It is winter at this time, which is not perfect, but still pleasant. There are also options to combine with tropical beaches.

July is generally considered to be a good time to visit the Congo.

In the key Odzala-Kokoua gorilla areas, temperatures are stable year-round at an elevated 33C (86F), dropping to only 21C (70F) at night, which can be a little bit challenging, especially in lodges with fans and no air-conditioning.

This is the second month of the long dry season, albeit with rainfall still up around 50mm (2”) for the month. However, this does mean that the tracks should be slightly easier to navigate when out gorilla tracking.

July is generally considered to be a good time to visit Mozambique.

This is the third month of the dry season, with the precipitation forecast remaining down at 25mm (1”) for the month.

Temperatures continue to fall, at around 25C (77F), which can feel a lot more comfortable as the humidities remain relatively low.

July is the second month of the cool dry season and is generally considered to be a great time to visit Mauritius.

The daytime temperatures at this time drop to a relatively comfortable 25C (76F). However the constantly high humidities can make it feel a good deal warmer, especially at night, so air-conditioning is widely used.

Rainfall is relatively low, but is still up at a significant 100mm (4”) for the month. There tends to be much higher rainfall in central and southeast areas.
July is the high season in Mauritius, so you need to book early to get accommodation in the best resorts. Prices are at their highest.

July is the third month of the cool dry season and is generally considered to be a good time to visit Seychelles.

The daytime temperatures are still up at 29C (84F) and the constantly high humidities can make it feel a good deal warmer, especially at night, so air-conditioning is widely used.

Rainfall remains relatively high, up at around 75mm (3”) for the month.

Water conditions can be a little choppy and seaweed can be washed up on south-facing beaches, notably on Mahé and Praslin islands.

July is a relatively busy month, the start of the main high season in Seychelles, so booking far ahead is likely to be important. Traffic avoidance techniques should be deployed, most notably staying out on the private islands.

Prices are at their highest.

July is considered to be a very good time of year to visit Sao Tome and Principe.

Temperatures are marginally lower at this time, at around 28C (82F).

Most significantly, July is the second month of the short dry season, with the usually very high rainfall dropping to just 15mm (0.5”) over the month.

Humpback whales should be arriving into the area for their birthing season.

Visitor traffic is likely to be high through this main season.