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Planning
Southern Africa has a reverse calendar to the northern hemisphere: summer is December–February, winter June–August. Weather and wildlife behaviour vary by season and by country. Here’s a concise guide so you can match your dates to what you want to see and feel.
Hot and wet across most of the region. Daytime temperatures often 28–35°C; afternoon thunderstorms are common. The bush is green and thick, so game can be harder to spot, but this is the time for newborn animals, migrant birds, and dramatic skies. Victoria Falls is at lower flow (more rock face visible; still impressive). Malaria risk is higher in wet, warm areas — prophylaxis recommended for Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Best for: Birding, photography (green landscapes, storms), fewer tourists in some areas. Less ideal for first-time Big Five focus.
Temperatures ease and rain tapers off. Days are warm, nights start to cool. Vegetation remains relatively green early in the season, then dries and thins — game viewing improves as the months go on. Victoria Falls is often still strong into April. Fewer crowds and sometimes lower rates than peak winter. A strong “shoulder” season for safari.
Best for: Balanced weather, good game viewing by late April/May, value, and Victoria Falls.
Dry and cool to cold, especially at night (can drop to single digits in Botswana and highveld South Africa). Daytime is mild and clear. This is peak safari season: sparse vegetation, animals concentrated at waterholes, and excellent visibility for Big Five and predators. Victoria Falls has less volume (still worth seeing; more rock and gorge). Mornings and game drives can be cold — pack layers. South African malaria-free reserves are a plus if you prefer to avoid prophylaxis.
Best for: Classic game viewing, Big Five, photography (dry, golden light), and clear skies. Busiest and often priciest period.
Warming up; first rains typically arrive from October (earlier in the east). Hot, dry conditions in September and early October keep game viewing very good; as rains spread, the bush greens and wildlife disperses. Wildflowers in parts of South Africa, and migrant birds return. A mix of peak-quality game viewing early in the season and lower crowds or better value in places. Victoria Falls is at its lowest — the Zambian side can be very dry; the Zimbabwe side still has a curtain of water.
Best for: Strong game viewing into October, wildflowers, birding, and often better availability than mid-winter.
South Africa — Kruger and Sabi Sand follow the pattern above; Cape Town and the Western Cape have Mediterranean weather (wet winter, dry summer). Malaria-free reserves (e.g. Eastern Cape, Madikwe) are good year-round with milder winters.
Botswana — Okavango and Chobe are at their best in the dry winter months (Jun–Oct). Flood season in the Delta is roughly May–Aug (water from Angola); summer is hot and wet with more mosquitoes.
Zimbabwe — Victoria Falls is fullest Feb–May and lowest Oct–Nov. Hwange and Mana Pools are excellent in the dry season (Jun–Oct) when animals gather at water.