Difference Between Low Season And High Season
Low And High Season – In Africa, seasons are typically simplified into two main categories revolving around rainfall:
- High, peak, or dry season
- Low, off-peak, or wet season
Planning an African safari is an exhilarating endeavor, involving a thorough consideration of various factors like holiday availability and budget constraints. While timing your trip according to personal schedules is paramount, the seasons in Africa significantly influence both experience and cost, prompting careful deliberation.
Whether opting for peak or off-peak seasons, each presents its own set of advantages. Additionally, some destinations offer a shoulder season, bridging the gap between high and low periods.
Having explored Africa throughout different seasons, we’ve discovered unique charms in each timeframe. Regardless of when you embark on your safari adventure, Africa never fails to enchant and deliver unforgettable experiences.
Dry Seasons In Africa
Africa’s dry season, varying across the continent, has traditionally been favored for safari travel. During this time, water sources become more concentrated, drawing animals to gather around water holes in greater numbers. With less vegetation obstructing views, both trees and grass are depleted, offering clearer visibility through the bush.
Many mobile camps operate exclusively during the dry season, as remote locations become accessible only when roads are dry. However, the dry season brings about considerable dust, particularly towards its conclusion. In places like Ngorongoro Crater, where space is limited and vehicle numbers high, the afternoon dust can become quite intense. Yet, it also creates breathtaking full moon rises, casting a mesmerizing red hue as the dust particles scatter the moonlight.
Pricing tends to reflect the peak game viewing opportunities of the dry season. While exceptional wildlife sightings abound, so do the numbers of safari-goers. Popular destinations like Masai Mara National Game Reserve, Serengeti National Park, Chobe National Park, and Kruger National Park often witness large congregations of vehicles, with up to 50 vehicles vying for a glimpse of predators or a river crossing during the great migration.
Wet Season In Africa
Traditionally, the rainy seasons have been less popular for safari travel, but they harbor hidden treasures and attract more visitors due to lower pricing.
Rain is a precious commodity in Africa, celebrated by all. Many antelope wait until the rains arrive to give birth, resulting in an abundance of newborns amidst lush vegetation. This attracts predators, creating exciting wildlife encounters. The rainy season also sees rapid blooming of flowers and temporary flow of dry riverbeds, replenishing parched lands. Migratory birds return from Europe, and cloudy skies offer stunning opportunities for sunrise and sunset photography.
However, accessibility may be limited, and mobile camping is less enjoyable in the rain. Some activities are also restricted due to unpredictable weather. Nonetheless, it remains a fantastic time to travel.
During the rainy season, animals disperse as water becomes more abundant, making sightings more challenging but ultimately more rewarding. The absence of other vehicles at sightings enhances the experience.
Rain rarely interrupts game-viewing activities, with adjustments made to timing or attire. After rain, there’s a refreshing relief from the heat, and everything feels revitalized. While continuous rain is uncommon, changing weather patterns may occasionally impact safari plans.
Rainy Patterns
In Africa, the rains often resemble tropical downpours, typically occurring in the afternoon and accompanied by thunder and lightning, creating dramatic skies and stunning sunrises and sunsets. Watching a storm sweep across the savannah is a truly magical experience. Rainfall tends to be localized, with areas just kilometers apart experiencing vastly different conditions. While rain rarely persists all day or every day, changing weather patterns can occasionally disrupt plans.
East Africa experiences two distinct wet seasons: the “long rains” from March/April to May and the “short rains” from October/November to December. In Southern Africa, rain can begin as early as September, with more consistent rainfall occurring later in the year and continuing until around March. After these late rains, animals develop thick winter coats to endure the long, cold winter.
Cape Town stands out as an exception, receiving winter rain similar to New Zealand. Therefore, combining a peak season safari with a trip to Cape Town may not guarantee the best weather in the city.
While Christmas falls within the wet or off-season, it remains a popular time for travel, potentially resulting in peak season pricing. Therefore, there are pros and cons to traveling during off-peak or shoulder seasons, although not every location offers a shoulder season.
Difference In Seasons And What They Offer
The optimal time for an African safari varies across countries and even within a single country. To assist in making the decision, here are some advantages and drawbacks for different seasons.
| Peak Season Pros | Peak Season Cons |
|---|---|
| Concentrated game viewing | Most expensive time to travel |
| Very little chance of rain | It can be very cold at night |
| All mobile camps operating | Dusty roads to travel on |
| Full range of activities | Extremely busy in public parks |
| Full accessibility on all roads | Need to book far in advance |
| Low Season Pros | Low Season Cons |
|---|---|
| Lower numbers of visitors | Possibility of rain |
| Lower pricing and often specials | Humidity can be high until it rains |
| Plants are flowering | Animals are less visible |
| Excellent migratory birding | More insects and mosquitos |
| Calving season | Some activities are not available |
| Dramatic photo opportunities | Some areas may not be accessible |
Below is a simplified breakdown of high, shoulder, and low seasons for various locations. However, it’s essential to note that there can be significant variations within each country. For more detailed tables, please refer to the individual country pages.
Content Box
| Low/Green/Wet Season | Shoulder Season | High/Peak/Dry Season |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
East Africa
Southern Africa
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Madagascar | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Namibia | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| South Africa | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Zambia | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Zimbabwe | | | | | | | | | | | | |
