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Jordi Woerts

The Ultimate Guide to Time Your Safari in South Africa

We as guides get the question often: what is the best time to travel to the bush? It is a difficult question since guests might have different preferences. I will give you a detailed description about the pros and cons per season for a safari in the Kruger National Park and its surroundings. In general the peak season starts in June and will end in September, with another peak during the Christmas/new year holiday season. Low season, or green season, is from November till April when it is the hottest time of the year.


Spring: time for flowers and babies

Spring is here!
The South African Weather Service uses the following dates for spring: September, October, November. If you ask me, this is my favorite time of the year. September marks the beginning of this enchanting season, a time when the landscapes burst with color and life. Game viewing in this time of the year is still excellent since the grass is still low due to the lack of rain and the majority of the animals will still be concentrated around the waterholes. One of the most magical aspects of a spring safari is the arrival of newborn animals, which occurs from November into December. From the blue wildebeest to the impala, the savannah comes alive with the sounds of new life. Especially the numbers of impala babies can be a special sight, since they are often all sitting together, it is the best. Another thing to take in consideration is that migratory bird species are slowly making their way back in the area. The Wahlberg's Eagle and the Yellow-billed Kite are one of the first ones, followed by a huge amount of other birds: National Geographic estimates that 4.5 billion birds, representing approximately 185 species, fly north to south and back again between Europe, Asia and Africa each year.

The weather is still very comfortable in the beginning of September, but gets quite hot crawling towards the start of the summer in December. This has to do with the arrival of the first proper rains around that time. Temperatures in September typically range from 24°C to 30°C (75°F to 86°F), while nights can be cooler, around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). The evenings should still be relatively cool throughout spring and the amount of bugs should also not be too hectic. But you do start to see the first insect emerge, like the praying mantis, moths, mosquitos, etc.

Summer greens

Summer: lush and green

Summer time starts in December and ends in March. The rain has now completely changed the landscape and overal behavior of the animals. The increased vegetation also enhances the beauty of the bush, with vibrant wildflowers and thick greenery providing stunning backdrops for your safari adventures. It is definitely the most scenic time of the year, the bush looks absolutely stunning. As you can imagine, game viewing can be a little bit more challenging with the thickets and long grass. Don't feel worried though, I had one of my best sightings ever in summer time. You never know what the bush has to offer for your game drive! All the migratory bird species are now back: you can admire the cuckoos , the Woodland Kingfisher, the European Roller and so many more. You can feel that the bush is alive! Insects, reptiles, amphibians are all out and this time of the year is also best to see the dung beetle doing its thing. If you want to ge the 'full' bush experience and not only interested in big game, this is the time for you.


The weather guys... I am not going to lie, it is HOT. This season is characterized by warm temperatures, often soaring well above 30°C (86°F) during the day, with cooler evenings that provide some relief. However, summer also brings humidity, so be prepared for warm, sticky days. Insect spray is your best friend this time of the year and a rain jacket is also a must. The thunderstorms are something special in summer and give you some excitement in the morning too when your guide has to do his best to not get stuck ;) Summer is an adventure!


Autumn: the transformation starts

Autumn colors

Autumn in the Kruger National Park and its surroundings, from March to May, is a magical time characterized by a transition from the hot, humid summer to cooler, drier weather. As the summer rains subside, the bush begins to dry out, and the vibrant greens of summer give way to warm autumn hues, perfect for photographers. With water sources becoming scarcer, animals gather around rivers and waterholes, making it potentially easier to spot them. The bush can still be a little thick though in the beginning of autumn. The cooler temperatures also mean animals are more active during the day, allowing for some action on drive hopefully ;) For bird enthusiasts, autumn can be a special time as migratory birds begin their journeys. You can see massive amount of birds fly over making their way up North. The insect, reptile and amphibian activity slowly gets less and less and basically disappear in May. Our little Leopard Tortoise for example is basically not seen from May until October/November as an example.


The weather is a lot more comfortable getting closer to May. Daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F), while nights cool down to a refreshing 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F). There is still a chance of rain this time of the year, but the rain jacket is not as necessary as in summer time. The bugs will still be around, really depending on when the last rains hit. But on average, you can imagine that they are way less than in peak summer time.


Winter time means not grass blocking your photo

Winter: lots of sun, lots of layers

Winter in the Kruger National Park, from June to August, brings a unique charm to the bush, characterized by cooler temperatures and dry conditions. This season is particularly appealing to for guests that are keen to spot big game and is also great for photographers with less vegetation to block your perfect shot. With vegetation thinner and water sources limited, animals are also more concentrated around rivers and waterholes, making it easier to spot them if they are around. Predators, like lions and leopards, can potentially be active longer throughout the day, taking advantage of the cooler conditions to hunt. The bush looks a bit rough and dead this time of the year though, but it has a special feeling to it. Birdwatching is a bit more tricky. The migratory bird species have now moved to Central African and Europe and will only come back in November time. We do have some beautiful resident birds though, you should still definitely bring your bino's


Bring your winter jacket guys, please. Daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), while nights can be quite chilly, often dropping to around 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F). Early mornings and evenings can feel brisk, so layering is recommended for comfort during your safaris. My coldest morning drive ever was a cold -3°C (26°F), trust me, that was rough without gloves... Although the winter can be cold at night, the daytime temperatures are very comfortable. You can almost be certain that you will have a clear sky with reliable stunning sunsets and sunrises. It is a great time to come on safari.


Hopefully you found this helpful in planning your safari to the Kruger area. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions, I might be able to help you out ;)




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