Change Location

Select your country below for local telephone numbers and guide prices

Book with confidence. Find out more

Where to go in Africa in October

October sees the first signs of the end of the famous dry season.

Our Recommendation for October

The first rains start to hit certain regions later in the month, but you will still enjoy good game viewing in the majority of the countries with which we work. This rainfall does not usually affect the quality of safari – in some areas, it is simply a refreshing break from the high temperatures that characterize the end of the dry season. Temperatures are still on the rise in the Seychelles, Mozambique, and Mauritius, as these countries move towards the summer months.

Tanzania

Tanzania’s main parks are still in their peak seasons and the heat is much less extreme than in southern Africa’s main parks – specifically those in Botswana, Zambia and Namibia. We are huge fans of the dry-season parks at this time – specifically Ruaha and Katavi, where the lack of visitors and high volume of game makes it a fabulous and authentic safari destination. In the north of the country, Tarangire’s elephant herds are at their largest, while the Serengeti sees an increase in river crossings as the herds start their journey south.

South Africa

October is an interesting month to travel to South Africa because the Cape is coming into its peak season with beautiful days and clear skies. The Kruger is also impressive at this time of year because the rains have not yet set in.

Botswana

If you can handle the heat, Botswana is good at this time of year. The heat drives the game towards the watering holes, swelling herds and making life easier for the predators as they hang out around the lakes and rivers. Chobe and the Linyanti see vast herds of elephant, while the Okavango Delta offers the herds a permanent source of water. Chitabe Reserve in the southern Delta and the herds in the Linyanti are awesome sights, while the Boteti River area south of Maun sees large build-ups of game on its banks.

Zambia

As with Botswana, Zambia is a superb destination throughout October, as long as you can handle the high temperatures. Huge herds of buffalo and elephant move through the Luangwa Valley, while the populations of elephant in the Zambezi Valley are equally impressive. The general concentrations of game throughout all the parks are unbelievably high, so excellent for viewing.

Kenya

Kenya is also at the end of its dry season and offers superb game viewing as well as excellent value with many camps dropping rates as visitor numbers start to decline.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is starting to get very hot now, ensuring that wildlife is all concentrated around the permanent water sources, and offers tremendous game viewing.

Mauritius

October is the last month of the dry winter in Mauritius and the perfect time to visit before the country gets hot and humid during its summer months.

Seychelles

October is a very good month to visit the Seychelles as it is a transition month between the trade winds. The cooler southeast trade winds come to and end with the warmer northwest tradewinds arriving.

Namibia

October is the height of the dry season in Namibia, and one of the hottest months of the year. This is one of the best times for game viewing, as water is particularly scarce and wildlife is forced to congregate around the few remaining permanent waterholes. Daytime temperatures can reach 84°F and often hotter in the desert.

Mozambique

If you prefer temperatures in the higher 30s to 34°C, then October, approaching the end of the dry season, is a perfect time to visit Mozambique! The water is calm and clear, so diving conditions are ideal.

Rwanda

Rwanda in October is very much the crossover month between the dry season and the short rains, making gorilla-trekking conditions somewhat unpredictable. For the most part, days are still warm and sunny, meaning that gorilla treks are still highly recommended.

Great Destinations in October

Unfortunately, there are no results for this search. Please use a different filter combination or contact our experts to start planning your tailor-made safari.

Great Trips in October

Why Trust Yellow Zebra with your African Safari?

"Yellow Zebra are genuine specialists; they know the African bush like the back of their hand."

Brian Jackman, safari expert for The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Condé Nast, and the BBC

'Europe's Leading Safari Tour Operator' at the World Travel Awards

9 years in a row, since 2015

Receive news & offers from Yellow Zebra