When planning a trip to southern Africa, visitors often go in the dry season. For safari/game drive enthusiasts – animals are easier to spot due to low vegetation and animals come from more remote regions to look for watering holes.
As the name suggests, the dry season sees less rainfall. Visitors don’t need to worry about being caught in afternoon storms. Less rain leads to less bugs like mosquitoes which decreases the risk of getting malaria in some regions. Dry season also tends to run in sync with vacations schedules for many international guests. However, I recommend you consider traveling during green season in southern Africa.
On my first visit to southern Africa, I traveled during October in the dry season. I decided to switch things up for my second visit and go during the rainy or “green” season. I was not disappointed!
South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe see the most rainfall during their summer months of November through April. East African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda have two rainy seasons – short rains in November/December and longer rains between March and May.
Below are 10 great reasons to consider visiting southern Africa during the green season:
1. Less Crowded
More people travel to these areas in the dry months which means they are less crowded in the green season. You can enjoy shorter lines at popular attractions. There were only 6 people in the Cradle of Humankind Maropeng Visitor Centre when I visited.
On game drives, safari-goers will benefit from closer views and fewer vehicles at major animal sightings.
2. Affordability
With lower tourist numbers, accommodations like lodges tend to give cheaper rates. They may even offer “Green Season” special rates on their websites. This way you can save money or enjoy more luxury for the same price you would have paid in peak season. I was able to book a 5-star lodge in Botswana and enjoy a suite and private infinity pool.
Tour operators and vendors are more open to bargaining. International flights can be less expensive during this time as well.
3. Personalized Experience
During off-peak times, you may get the added bonus of a more personalized experience. Less visitors allow for individualized attention from guides and staff.
Fewer guests could offer the possibility of game drives with less people in the vehicle or tour attractions (like helicopter or hot air balloon flights) to yourself. This varies – sometimes they will group everyone together in order to have less trips or game drives.
We were fortunate enough to have the same guide our entire stay at each game lodge. The guide then knew what we had already seen, what we were still looking for, and where we had been. At the first lodge the 4×4 was full of people every day; however, at the second lodge we had a vehicle all to ourselves.
4. Better for Photography
The green season really lives up to its name – the brown winter color is replaced by vibrant green foliage! Lush backdrops for wildlife photos are full of grasses, trees, and flowers. The green helps wildlife pop in photos – during the dry season, lions and impala can fade in with the dull branches and leaves.
Clouds add interest and mood to the sky while also creating ideal lighting for photographers.
Colors are richer and deeper after rain. There are spectacular sunrises and sunsets full of stunning hues.
5. Migratory Birds Arrive
Thousands of birds migrate south during the green season providing ample opportunity for birders. I spotted dozens of birds on my trip and I wasn’t even searching that hard.
It is also breeding season for resident birds. Their colorful plumage makes for fantastic viewing not seen other times of the year.
The spectacular sight of greater flamingos is seen during the wet season. There are only two breeding populations in southern Africa – one in the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana and the other at Etosha in Namibia.
6. Seasonal Wildlife Phenomena
After the rains, great migrations of animals begin. Herds of wildebeest and zebra are seen roaming into Tanzania’s Serengeti and Botswana’s Savuti and Makgadikgadi Pans.
Green season also brings births of foals, fawns, calves, and cubs. I was able to see so many adorable miniatures of my favorite African wildlife.
7. Victoria Falls Is Most Impressive
Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe is the largest waterfall in the world based on its combined height and width. Throughout the year the amount of water pouring over the falls varies drastically. It is most impressive during green season.
As the dry season progresses, the “islands” along the edge of the waterfall become wider and increase in number. At its driest in November, up to half the rock face is visible and the water flow is around a tenth of what it is in April’s peak.
However, there are benefits to visiting Victoria Falls during the dry season such as swimming in the “Devil’s Pool” near the edge of the falls and adventure activities like rafting that are more dangerous in the flood season.
8. Longer Daylight Hours
Longer days mean more time to fit events into your schedule. There are many cities and tourist areas with tons of activities offered. If you are like me, if you’ve taken the time to travel to a different country you want to make the most out of your stay!
In the winter season when the days are shorter, camps and lodges may shorten the length of their game drives. On my recent trip in green season, each game drive was 3 to 4 hours long. There are times when an extra hour makes a huge difference on what you are able to see.
9. Warmer Temperatures
Green season provides warmer temperatures for those northern hemisphere travelers escaping their winters woes.
Game drives often occur at sunrise and sunset to align with when animals are most active. In the dry, winter months these times can be absolutely freezing! I was able to wear capris or jeans and a light jacket on all my game drives.
10. Less Dust
During the winter, dust fills the air as the landscape dries out. After the rains, dirt is compacted and the air is crisp and clear.
This is especially helpful on game drives as the open 4×4 vehicles kick up a lot of dirt and dust as they go by. On my October trip, I remember coming back inside every day covered in orange specks and cleaning my camera lens all the time. My recent March visit had none of these issues.
I loved my green season trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe! My game drives saw dozens of animals, I enjoyed my first helicopter ride over Victoria Falls, and had good weather all three weeks. Southern and east Africa are great destinations all year long – understand your goals when planning and consider the green season for your next African vacation.
The photos were excellent. It’s easy to see why you’re so enthusiastic about this season in S. Africa. If I get there a helicopter is something that would be a must. What a great way to see the terrain . Can’t wait to see the rest of your journey.