The best locations for safari in Africa in August

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

By now, the landscapes will have dried out, with the vegetation having long since died back and the wildlife now settled around permanent water, making for strong and reliable wildlife viewing.

By now, the flood should have arrived into most of the wetland areas, although perhaps not as far as the southern part of the Okavango Delta.

The night time temperatures are likely to remain quite 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.

August is generally considered to be a very good time to visit Tanzania, albeit a rather busy time.

The Tanzania weather in August should be 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 temperatures can be slightly lower than usual. On the coast any tropical showers and onshore winds should be relatively light.

Temperatures should reach 25-30C/77-86F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. Nights in Ngorongoro can still be cold, but not as low as preceding months. The summit of Kilimanjaro should also not be quite so cold and snow showers should be less frequent.

Safari in Tanzania in August should be excellent. Wildlife viewing in virtually all areas should be reaching its best as the long grasses die back and animals settle in around the permanent water sources.

It’s difficult to list all the safari highlights at this time of year, but in the Serengeti region alone one should look out for huge herds of elephant in Tarangire, the highest density of lions and cheetahs in Africa in Central Serengeti and migration river crossings in the Serengeti Mara area.

Conditions on Kilimanjaro should be very good. We are now well into the main trekking season and conditions are continuing to improve, with low temperatures starting to become less of an issue.

Visitor traffic in August is very high, mainly due to the school holidays and summer shut-downs in Europe. Core areas such as the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti Central and Zanzibar will be busy and strategic planning is essential to avoid the worst of 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.

Our general recommendation is to avoid August if you can, but not to worry if you can’t, we will come up with a great solution.

By August, the dry season is starting to reach its peak in Zimbabwe, with temperatures still pleasant but starting to turn upwards and with sunshine levels increasing to around 10 hours per day.

All of the key reserves are 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 are now fully 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 at their year-round peak due to school holidays in the northern hemisphere, 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 August, the dry season is starting to reach its peak in Zambia, with temperatures still pleasant but starting to turn upwards and with sunshine levels increasing to around 10 hours per day.

All of the key reserves are 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 are now fully 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 at their year-round peak due to school holidays in the northern hemisphere, 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. The tonality definitely changes in August, with a surge in visitors from Italy and Spain. Traffic avoidance techniques (like staying on private reserves and visiting more remote areas) should definitely be deployed.

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

At 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/1.5″ for the month. The main migration herds should have arrived from the Serengeti, so river crossings are 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 August are extremely high in August, so traffic avoidance techniques should be applied, including the use of private concessions in the Maasai Mara and more remote lodges in other areas.

August is generally considered to be a slightly mixed time of year to visit Uganda, stronger in the gorilla areas than for safari.

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

This rainfall is relatively modest and, given that the preceding two months are the driest of the year, the conditions for gorilla tracking should remain reasonable.

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, which means that the wildlife is likely to start dispersing slightly. Kidepo Valley is in the last month of its rainy season and is really not good.

Visitor traffic tends to be high in August, 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.

August 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 increases only slightly to 50mm (2”) for the month.

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

By August, the long grasses in Akagera should have almost completely died back, making for more productive wildlife viewing.

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

August 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 approaching the end of winter 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 fourth month of the cool dry season, with good weather, receded foliage and wildlife spending a lot of time around the permanent waterholes.

Visitor traffic in August is moderate in the Cape, but is very high in the safari areas, making it necessary to deploy traffic avoidance techniques (such as sticking to private concession areas).

August 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 third month of the long dry season, albeit with rainfall still up around 75mm (3”) for the month. However, this does mean that the tracks should be slightly easier to navigate when out gorilla tracking.

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

In the Andasibe area of the Central Highlands, August is the third 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 29C (84F), with rainfall at 5mm (0.25”) for the month. Much lower humidities make these temperatures feel much more comfortable.

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

Visitor traffic in August is the highest of the year, so traffic avoidance measures should be deployed (mainly choosing more remote lodges and avoiding renowned hotspots).

By August, the dry season is starting to reach its peak in Malawi, with temperatures still pleasant but starting to turn upwards and with sunshine levels increasing to around 10 hours per day.

All of the key reserves are 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 are now fully 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 at their year-round peak due to school holidays in the northern hemisphere, although this is less of an issue in Malawi than in other more popular countries.

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.

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

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

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

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

Visitor numbers are peaking, in parallel with the main safari season, making it necessary to deploy traffic avoidance techniques (primarily choosing more remote lodges).

August is the third 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.

August is the high season in Mauritius, so you need to book early to get accommodation in the best resorts. Prices are at their highest.

The southeast trade winds can be quite strong during Jul-Aug, with the eastern side of the island being the most exposed. This can be great for sailing and wind-surfing, but not so good for diving.

August is the fourth 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 100mm (4”) 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.

August is the peak of the main high season in Seychelles, so booking far ahead is likely to be very important. Traffic avoidance techniques should be deployed, most notably staying out on the private islands.

Prices are at their highest.

August 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, August is the third month of the short dry season, with the usually very high rainfall dropping to just 25mm (1”) over the month.

The very colourful festival of Auto de Floripes takes place on Principe.

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