The best locations for safari in Africa in October

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

The weather in Tanzania during October should be excellent in virtually all areas. The dry season should be reaching its peak, which means there should be lots of sunshine, clear skies and very little rainfall. On the coast the tropical showers and onshore winds should be relatively light.

Temperatures should reach 30-35C/86-95F during the day, with low humidities inland, high humidities along the coast. The summit of Kilimanjaro should not be so cold and snow should be unlikely.

Safari in Tanzania in October should be excellent. We are now reaching the peak of the dry season. The animals have been concentrated around the permanent water sources for some months and life has really started to get tough for herbivores as the grazing depletes and predators exact a heavy toll.

It’s difficult to list all the safari highlights at this time of year, but in the north 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.

If the rains break early then October could see some wildlife dispersal, as described in November, but generally speaking this isn’t the case.

Conditions on Kilimanjaro are excellent to moderate. As the month progresses, so the chances of getting caught by the short rains or snows at higher altitudes increases. The first couple of weeks should be a pretty safe bet, the third week more risky. We tend to start winding down our main trek operations just before the end of the month.

Visitor traffic in October is reasonably low. Despite being such a good month to be in Tanzania, relatively few people seem able to take advantage. If you are not tied to school holidays or work shut-downs, then we recommend that you do your best to catch the middle part of the month. This is a great time to be out on safari and without the oppressive heat experienced in countries further south.

October is a good time of year in South Africa if you are looking for a compromise in weather conditions between the safari areas and the Cape, leaning more towards the latter.

The Cape (Cape Town, Whale Coast, Cape Winelands) is in spring, which is a lovely time to explore.

The safari areas of South Africa (Kruger, Madikwe, Tswalu, Waterberg) are in the latter part of the dry season, with excellent wildlife viewing conditions, but increasing chances of showers, which can cause the animals to disperse away from permanent water.

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

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 later part of this season, Sep-Oct, should be warmer, at 32C/90F daytime and 16C/61F at night. 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. By October, numbers should be reducing fast and traffic avoidance techniques (like staying on private reserves and visiting more remote areas) are becoming less essential.

October 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 27C/80F, with rainfall down around 50mm/1″ for the month. The main migration herds should be spread out across the area, 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 slightly increased chances of light showers. Wildlife viewing should remain strong.

Conditions are starting to deteriorate slightly down on the tropical coast, where temperatures are rising to around 31C/89F and rainfall rising to a not inconsiderable 100mm/4″ for the month.

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

October is generally considered to be a good time to visit Egypt.

At this time of year, the temperatures drop significantly to a still elevated 35C (95F), with rainfall down at 0mm (0”) and sunshine hours dropping slightly to 10 hours per day, against a shorter day length.

Most people will find these temperatures to be much more comfortable, given that at night they are dropping to 17C (63F).

When the daytime temperatures climb too high, it is usual to change your daily pattern to head out early and late, inserting a lovely long siesta into the hottest part of the day.

Visitor numbers are starting to pick up through the month, but the high season is not yet fully underway.

October is generally considered to be a more challenging month in which to visit Rwanda.

In the Virunga Mountains area, the temperatures are stable at around 25C (77F), but the rainfall increases further to 150mm (6”) for the month.

Prolonged periods of overcast skies are again possible, with regular daily showers, although not usually quite so torrential as earlier in the year. There should be lots of sunshine in between.

Safari and trekking conditions are likely to again be more challenging, as the tracks and trails become slippery and impassable.

By October, the long grasses in Akagera will be starting to regrow and the backtracks will be muddy and impassable.

Visitor traffic tends to be relatively light at this time.

October is the fifth and final month of the dry season in Botswana, usually the best month of the year for wildlife viewing.

By now, the landscapes should be very desiccated, with the vegetation having long since died back and the wildlife migrating daily in and out of permanent water sources. This makes for very strong and reliable wildlife viewing, but can also be quite a painful scene, as the animals struggle with the harsh conditions.

By now, the flood should have passed through all of the wetland areas and will be largely subsided, especially in more westerly parts.

The daytime temperatures can now start to soar, in advance of the upcoming rains and they can become quite oppressive. Bear in mind that most lodges do not have air-conditioning, so you need to be good with these high heat and humidity. If not, then aim for the preceding months, which are much cooler.

Unfortunately, the prices in almost all lodges remain at their highest. The lodges may continue 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 spring at this time, which can be very pleasant. There are also options to combine with tropical beaches.

October is considered to be a good time to visit Madagascar.

In the Andasibe area of the Central Highlands, October is the fifth month of the cool dry season. Temperatures climb slightly to a pleasant 17C (64F). 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 have risen to around 33C (92F), with rainfall climbing to 90mm (3.5”) for the month. Conditions are definitely starting to become more challenging.

Down in Tulear, in the arid southwest, temperatures are down around 30C (86F), with rainfall staying down at 10mm (0.5”) for the month. Much lower humidities make these temperatures feel much more comfortable.

Visitor traffic in October is much lower than the preceding months, meaning that traffic avoidance measures are less important.

October is generally considered to be a very good time to visit Mozambique.

This is the final month of the dry season, with the precipitation forecast starting to climb a little to 35mm (1.5”) for the month.

Temperatures continue to climb slightly, at around 28C (82F), but should still feel reasonably comfortable, as the humidities remain relatively low.

Visitor numbers are now much lower, as the main safari season starts to wane, meaning that even the lodges in more busy areas are back in the game.

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

The daytime temperatures at this time are rising to a still relatively comfortable 27C (80F). 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 50mm (2”) for the month. There tends to be much higher rainfall in central and southeast areas.

October is still the high season in Mauritius, but not as busy as previous months, so you may not need to book quite so early to get accommodation in the best resorts. Prices remain at their highest.

October is the sixth and final 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 30C (86F) and the constantly high humidities can make it feel a good deal warmer, especially at night, so air-conditioning is widely used.

Rainfall is continuing to rise, up to a not inconsiderable 175mm (7”) 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.

October is the latter part of the main high season in Seychelles, so booking far ahead is likely to be less important.

Prices may be coming down off their peak levels.