When getting set for an African safari holiday, it is better to do some little of research on the best time to go for the experience you love do. So those wishing to go for self-drive safaris in Africa please do some research because different countries have different dry and wet seasons best for wildlife viewing. As a general rule, Africa is warm and sunny throughout the year. But certain countries, and even regions within those countries, experience a variety of climates.
More travelers planning a holiday to Africa are choosing a self-drive safari as their method of travel as it provides the ability to customize your holiday to suit their own personal and needs.
Uganda
With self-drive safaris, Uganda can be visited at any time and going with 4×4 rooftop tent jeep is awesome and easy. Trekking mountain gorillas is on most tourists’ itineraries and permits are available throughout the year. Uganda is a tropical country with lots of rainfall.
The wettest months are March to May and November, these months can be problematic to travel in. During these wet season months, some lodges close down and some roads become very muddy and hard to negotiate.
The Dry season months of June to August and December to February offer the easiest travel conditions and these months are also recommended for Ugandan gorilla trekking. General wildlife viewing in the Savannah reserves is also best during the Dry season months as animals gather around rivers and waterholes, and the grass is shorter, which makes spotting easier.”
Rwanda
Self-drive tours in Rwanda are available at any time and the best time depends a bit on your personal interest for rainy conditions. Most people come to Rwanda for gorilla trekking, and this activity is available throughout the year.
However, the wet climate in the Virunga Mountains, home of the gorillas, can make trekking a challenge especially in the peaks of the Wet season (March, April, October and November).
The driest months (June to August) are best for the Rwandan gorilla trekking experience and these months are also recommended for hiking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Most of the primates in Nyungwe can also be located throughout the year, but chimps are easier to track during the Wet, as they tend to move further into the forest when food becomes scarce.
Having said all that, if you have good weatherproof gear and you don’t mind being caught in the rain on occasion, the Wet season months have their advantages as they tend to be less crowded and lodges often offer lower rates. Gorilla permits are also easier to obtain in the Wet season.”
Kenya
Most Kenya safari destinations and the major Tanzania safari areas are at their best between January and the end of March as well as June to October, when the climate is mild and dry. However, a safari in the short rainy season (November to December) is well worth considering with a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle.
“June to October is an excellent time for self-drive Kenya tours. During these months, the weather is generally dry (although it can get really hot in October and the tail-end of September) and most trails are open. This also correspond with the wildebeest and zebra migration in the Masai Mara. This is Kenya’s dry season, and as it progresses, water sources for animals tend to dry up and become fewer, drawing animals in numbers to those that remain.
One downside is that, apart from June, high-season prices apply too. Crowds are also larger in some parks, the queue of safari vehicles can take away something from your experience, and some areas of the Masai Mara can be completely overwhelmed with vehicles during the migration.
Visiting from November to February also has its devotees, migrating birds arrive, the rains rarely disrupt travel, and the country is also transformed into a lovely shade of green. Most travelers avoid March to May because heavy rains are always possible and can transform safari trails into muddy roads. That said, prices are lower.
Tanzania
A Tanzania self-drive safari can be booked throughout the year, but the best time depends on your interests. If seeing the wildebeest migration is the main focus of your visit, you will have to plan carefully.
June to October is the best period to see the migration in the Serengeti, but you’ll have to stay in different areas of the park at different stages of the migration, and as this all depends on the rain, this isn’t completely dependable.
If you want to get away from the crowds, you should book your accommodation in the Serengeti away from the wildebeest migration. The wettest months are March to May, and any safari might be compromised at this time.”
