Safari in January

January is the middle of the southern summer and is generally considered to be a very good month for visiting Argentina, especially in areas further south.

Down in the south, this is a great time of year to visit Patagonia. Although the weather here is always unpredictable, conditions are relatively mild and good for outdoor activities like touring, motorboating, kayaking, hiking, horse-riding and puma tracking. Temperatures are up around 20C (68F) and rainfall down at 10mm (0.5”) for the month.

In central areas such as Bariloche, conditions are perfect for summer activities like touring, hiking, kayaking and motorboating. Temperatures are up around 24C (75F) and rainfall down at 5mm (0.25”) for the month.

Out on the coast, Península Valdés is good at this time, with lots of migratory marine animals around. However, January does fall between the two orca hunting seasons. Temperatures are up around 22C (72F) and rainfall down at 5mm (0.25”) for the month.

In the northwest of the country, private-guided overland expeditions into the high Andes are excellent at this time. Conditions in the dramatic high altitude areas are mild. There can be considerable rain at lower altitudes, but this tends to be less of a concern. Temperatures in Salta are up around 30C (86F) and rainfall right up at 175mm (7”) for the month, but the higher temperatures are a blessing up top, where there is rarely any rain. 

Up in the north of the country, the Iguazú Falls area is very hot and rainy. The water volumes on the falls at this time are very high, which can be very impressive in terms of sheer power, but the views can be obstructed by spray and some of the most important trails can be closed for safety reasons. Temperatures are up around 33C (91F) and rainfall up at 200mm (8”) for the month.

Visitor traffic in January is relatively high in Patagonia, making it necessary to book early and deploy traffic avoidance techniques.

The month of January represents high summer on the Antarctic Peninsula, when the region enjoys the most reliable weather. Of course, this is Antarctica and conditions are likely to remain relatively harsh, but for the local wildlife, this is balmy.

By now the snow cover is likely to have receded, leaving large areas of rocky foreshore, which does make the place look rather less pristine, but makes life much easier for getting around. The sea-ice should also have greatly retreated. Skies are often clear, with lots of sunshine.

Average temperatures in this part of the world tend not to vary enormously throughout the year, with January being around 2C (36F), peaking some days up to 15C (59F). Precipitation is at the summer low of 40 mm (1.6”) per month. Perhaps most importantly, the day length remains close to the peak, at around 19 hours.

The reliable weather means that landing sites tend to be accessible and itineraries are less likely to have to shift around to accommodate the conditions. A ship with a higher ice-class rating tends to be less important now, unless you are intending to access the Weddell Sea to the east or head southwest towards the Antarctic Circle.

In terms of wildlife, the penguin colonies are arguably at their best, with super-cute fluffy chicks growing fast, whilst the parents take turns going fishing.

Weddell seals, crabeater seals and leopard seals are often spotted hauled up onto the ice floes and pack ice, increasingly in groups.

Birds including wandering albatrosses, marine fulmars, petrels and blue-eyed shags should now be nurturing their young on their nests. Stay clear of the nests of Antarctic terns or you may be the subject of a vicious attack.

Humpback whale and minke whale sightings should also be reaching their best along the western flank of the peninsula, as their gorge on the blooming krill. There are also chances of watching pods of killer whales as they hunt for seals and penguins.

When it comes to activities, this time of year remains good for kayaking amongst the breaking ice sheets. Camping can also be really good, but walking on sea ice, snow-shoeing and skiing all tend to be less of an option by now.

For booking trips, we are now in the main season for this part of the world, so there should be plenty of choice of ships and itineraries, but availability can be very difficult and, as always, booking 1-2 years ahead is recommended. Prices are at their highest (around 25% above shoulder season) and discounts are rare.

Air-cruises are possible throughout January, since the airstrip on King George Island in South Shetland typically opens on the first day of December and tends to close towards the end of February.

Despite January being the middle of the green season in southern Africa, Botswana experiences much lower rainfall than in surrounding countries, safari remains very much operational.

The wildlife viewing remains relatively strong in the core Okavango Delta areas and the bush is verdant, with lots of wildflowers and baby animals. 

On the open grasslands of the Makgadikgadi area, large herds of wildebeest and zebras should be congregating to have their young.

The temperatures can still be a little warm and sticky, with some chance of showers, but still with plenty of  sunshine.

The normally very high prices are substantially reduced, making this a relatively smart time to visit.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) has a converse seasonality to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. It is early summer at this time, making it the perfect complement to a Botswana safari.

January is generally considered to be a good time to visit Tanzania.

The weather during January in most parts of the country is usually very good, a significant lull between the short rains of November and the long rains of Mar-May. 

Daytime temperatures should reach 30-35C/86-95F in most areas.

Down on the coast rain is likely to remain a more or less daily occurrence, it should largely take the form of light showers. Further inland showers should be more occasional. 

The overriding conditions should be hot and sunny, with clean and clear air and great light for photography. 

On safari, the short rains should have passed, freshening the landscapes and causing many mammal species to start to have their young. If rains have been heavy then many of the animals will have dispersed into the hinterlands, making wildlife viewing generally less intense. So a pleasant and pretty time to be out in the bush, but without the hardcore intensity of the late Aug-Oct dry season. 

The one major exception to this is the calving of the wildebeest on the southern plains of Serengeti, an all-action spectacle which draws well-informed travellers from around the world. Almost all trips at this time are shaped around this event.

Conditions on Kilimanjaro are very good to excellent. Although there is a risk of rain and snow, this is generally considered to be one of the better times to be on the mountain.

Visitor traffic in January ranges from very high to medium. The early part of January, up to around 4th or 5th continues to experience the very high traffic of the late December period. Core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning will be needed to avoid the crowds. Getting availability in the best lodges can be a real issue and booking at least eight months ahead is advised, especially for groups of four or more guests. The remainder of the month experiences a dramatic drop off in visitor numbers, although getting rooms in the critical Serengeti Southwest area can still be tough.

January is the third month of the cool dry season and is generally considered to be a very good month to visit most parts of India.

In Delhi (which is representative of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and most inland areas), temperatures are down at 20C (68F) and rainfall is down at 25mm (1”) for the month. This is a good time for general travel and also reasonably good for tiger safari.

In Goa (which is representative of the tropical coastal areas), temperatures are up at an uncomfortable 32C (90F), but with rainfall down at 5mm (0”) for the month.

In Ladakh (which is representative of areas up in the Himalayas), temperatures are all the way down at -3C (27F) and with rainfall down at 5mm (0”) for the month. These conditions are a little challenging for general travel, but this is the main season for snow leopards.

Visitor numbers are relatively high, necessitating early booking and traffic avoidance measures.

January is generally considered to be a very good time to visit Egypt.

At this time of year, the temperatures are dropping to a comfortable 23C (73F), with rainfall down at 0mm (0”) and sunshine hours up at 10 hours per day, despite the shorter day length.

Temperatures at night can drop as low as 5C (40F).

If anything, the weather can be a little on the cool side, with the potential for some overcast skies.

Visitor numbers are medium through the latter part of the month, but very high before around the 6th of January, creating an urgent need for early booking and traffic avoidance measures.

January is the third month of the southern summer and is generally considered to be a very good month to visit Chile.

In the capital, Santiago, and the nearby winelands, temperatures are up at a balmy 30C (86F), whilst rainfall is down at 2mm (0”) over the month.

In the Atacama area to the far north, temperatures are up at a respectable 18C (64F), whilst rainfall is up at 20mm (1”) over the month.

In the Torres del Paine area to the far south, temperatures are up at a relatively high 16C (60F), with rainfall steady year-round at 25mm (1”) over the month. The high altitude hiking trails should be open more frequently.

Visitor traffic will now be very high, necessitating the need for early booking and traffic avoidance measures.

January is generally considered to be a pretty good month to visit Uganda.

In the Bwindi Forest area, the temperatures are stable at around 22C (70F), but rainfall is falling slightly to around 75mm (3”) through the month.

This rainfall is slightly lower than the annual average and conditions for gorilla tracking should be reasonably good.

In the savanna safari areas at this time, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls share similar conditions to the above and the reduced rainfall should be having a positive effect on wildlife viewing.

Kidepo Valley is in the fifth month of its dry season, with conditions now very good.
Visitor traffic tends to be low after around the 6th of January, but it is always good to book permits as early as possible, to get on the best gorilla families.

January is generally considered to be a very good month to visit Galapagos.

Temperatures are up at 29C (84F). Rainfall is also up at 50mm (2”) over the month, but occurs almost exclusively at higher altitudes.

Ocean temperatures should be very pleasant for swimming and snorkelling.

Wildlife events include marine iguanas on Isla Española taking on their red mating colour, green sea turtles arriving and starting to lay their eggs and land iguanas on Isla Isabela starting their courtship rituals.

Visitor traffic is heavily controlled in Galapagos, so we only need to take care to avoid any traffic in the main port areas. Early booking is essential at this time of year.

January is generally considered to be a very good time of year to visit Ethiopia.

Most areas have a similar climate to the capital, Addis Ababa, with temperatures around 24C (75F) and rainfall down at 25mm (1”) for the month.

The Tissisat Falls on the Blue Nile at Bahir Dar are at their best during the high water period of Jul-Dec and can be running rather low by January.

The Danakil Depression is the hottest place on earth, so conditions are never easy down there. November is one of the better months, when daytime temperatures usually ceiling around the 40C/104F mark.

The remote Gambela area is accessible at this time, but it is too early for the kob migration.

January is generally considered to be a pretty good month to visit Kenya.

Although the more southerly reserves are continuing to experience the short rains, the north of the country and the tropical coast are both much drier.

In the Maasai Mara, January is usually the third month of the green season. Temperatures should be around 27C/81F and rainfall should remain stable at around 75mm/3″ for the month. The main migration herds have long since departed for the south. However, there should also be strong general wildlife viewing, with plenty of predator action. Most people choose to head to the Serengeti (in Tanzania) at this time, where the migration calving is underway.

In the northern areas of Laikipia, Samburu and Mathews Range, conditions are likely to be considerably better. Temperatures should still be comfortable, but rainfall should drop to around 25mm (1”) for the month. Wildlife is likely to remain dispersed, but increasingly accessible thanks to the drier backtracks.

Conditions are now good down on the tropical coast, where temperatures are rising to a potentially uncomfortable 34C/93F, but with rainfall right down at 25mm/1″ for the month.

Visitor numbers in January are usually very low from around the 5th of the month, which goes a long way to offset the other disadvantages and makes this a potentially attractive time to explore usually more busy areas.