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Where to go in Africa in August

August is the heart of the dry season and the most suitable month for the best African safari. Visitors will find that traveling anywhere in ‘Safari Africa’ is outstanding in August.

Our recommendation for August

The decision where to go depends on the style of safari you are after – and ultimately, your budget. In East Africa, the Great Migration starts to move from the northern parts of the Serengeti into Kenya, becoming a genuine contender for the finest safari experience on the continent. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is perfect, as the days are clear. In Southern Africa, August is, quite simply, ridiculously good. Botswana and Zambia, specifically, offer what we believe is world-class safari. Temperatures are cooling down in Mauritius, but Mozambique and the Seychelles are still offering lovely warm temperatures.

Tanzania

Tanzania spoils you for choice. The Serengeti National Park is a huge attraction at this time of year, with the Great Migration the main focus as river crossings take place daily in the Lamai/Kogatende northern part of the park. Also, Tarangire is the centre of the region’s elephant migration. Combining these two migrations is a popular and very good itinerary. The Nyerere (formerly Selous), Ruaha and Katavi are the focal point of the region’s game and fabulous options for a less commercial safari than the northern parks can offer.

South Africa

August is an equally superb time of year to be in South Africa. The north of the country, especially, guarantees very good weather as well as excellent safaris in Kruger National Park. The further south you go, the less good the weather becomes, but Cape Town has its own appeal at any time of year, and August also sees the start of the whale migration down on the Garden Route. Overall, this is a great time of year to travel.

Botswana

Botswana’s most famous parks are in their peak seasons for game viewing. This month, the Okavango, Moremi, Chobe and the Linyanti area are absolutely world class. The concentration of elephant around the Chobe and Linyanti region is matched nowhere else in Africa at any time of year. The Okavango is still in flood and the entire Delta looks exceptional. As this northern part of the country is at its peak, the game has pretty much left the Pans and the Kalahari entirely – traveling to these areas starts to become inadvisable if you are searching for good game viewing.

Zambia

Zambia is also in its peak season for travel. Africa’s finest walking destination, the Luangwa, is at its peak, with exceptional walking safari and standard game driving on offer in the south park, and just walking in North Luangwa. The Lower Zambezi is an exceptional park at this time of year, a real favorite in the Yellow Zebra office. And Kafue is an extra park to consider for August vacations.

Kenya

August sees Kenya's biggest wildlife highlight in full swing with the annual wildebeest and zebra migration working its way through the Maasai Mara. Of particular focus are the river crossings, where the herds make the regular swims across croc-filled waters.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is currently in the middle of its peak season viewing time and all the parks are in their prime game viewing period. Victoria Falls is starting its low water season, a time that is regarded as best for white water rafting.

Mauritius

Mauritius has warm days in August, but it can cool quickly in the late afternoon and evenings due to the eastern trade winds. We therefore usually recommend staying on the western and southern coasts, where the beaches are better sheltered.

Seychelles

August in the Seychelles sees very little rain and temperatures at roughly around 26°C. Due to the Southeast Monsoon, the seas can be a little choppy in certain areas.

Namibia

Namibia is superb at this time of year. The game viewing on offer in Etosha is at its peak, making the country’s finest safari destination a great addition to any itinerary here. Trips out to the desert and up the Skeleton Coast are thoroughly rewarding, with beautiful temperatures and clear skies.

Mozambique

August is one of Mozambique's coolest months, but it still offers a lovely tropical climate and is a peak time to visit. Temperatures during the day soar towards 30 degrees and then cool for the evening. This is also a great time for diving and fishing.

Rwanda

While August sees a slight increase in the frequency of rain, it should still be considered one of the very best times of year to visit Rwanda. The very low levels of rainfall make for superb gorilla-trekking conditions. Despite this, the variable weather patterns around Volcanoes National Park make it hard to predict whether or not rain will fall. August is a peak month for Rwanda and booking early is essential, particularly with permit availability in mind.

Best safari destinations in August

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Great safari trips for August

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