Seasonal Differences – Southern Africa
The quality of our selected destinations means they are considered year-round destinations, with prolific game viewing throughout. The region has two distinct seasons, though, which will impact the ecosystem significantly depending on the timing of your visit. It is worth bearing this in mind when choosing your trip with us. We have outlined the typical conditions below, but remember we are talking about Mother Nature here, so nothing is ever guaranteed! Rest assured that we have considered the conditions in selecting dates for our trips and we have stayed away from the searing hot and humid months with heavy rainfall, concentrating instead on trips between March and November.
Winter in Southern Africa runs from May to October, during which time it is typically cooler and drier. At the start of the season the grass is longer and greener and water is plentiful, meaning wildlife is often more spread out. As the dry season progresses the grass becomes trampled and dies off, while water dries up creating a golden, dusty landscape with wildlife easier to spot and often heavily concentrated around remaining water sources. Birdlife during this time is plentiful and dominated by the 250+ resident bird species found in the region.
During this season, the mornings and evenings are cooler; things can even get quite chilly in June, July and August! Temperatures during the middle of the day rise nicely and are mild. During this time the risk of malaria, while low anyway, is at its lowest.
September onwards marks the onset of summer, when temperatures start to rise significantly and rainfall increases in volume and regularity, peaking in January and then dropping back significantly again in March. The days become hot and steamy, sometimes topping 40 degrees in mid-summer.
In summer the rain transforms the region, as dams fill up and rivers start to flow through lush, flower-filled vegetation. Many animals, especially antelope, give birth to their young, which in turn attracts the predators and makes summer a great time to witness predator/prey interaction. Equally during this time the migratory birds arrive and can be found around the waterways or following swarms of termites.
While risk is low overall, summer is the highest risk time for malaria. Irrespective of the time of year that you visit, for your peace of mind and wellbeing, we recommend that guests consult with a medical professional before travelling.
Additional Seasonal Impacts – Northern Botswana
Whilst our Botswana destination follows a very similar climatic pattern to the above, there is an additional consideration for the self-drive 4×4 trips: the annual flooding of the Okavango Delta, driven by rains which fall almost 4 to 6 months earlier and many miles away in Angola. The combination of local rainfall and these floodwaters typically create road conditions in the reserves characterised by deep puddles, muddy sections and river crossings from March to May. From June onwards, however, roads become dry, dusty tracks, with the roads by late October turned into soft, deep sandy strips with few water crossings.
Ensuring guest safety and minimising environmental impact is always critically important to us. We only use properly equipped and maintained vehicles and operate well within their limits, finding alternate routes whenever required.