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The best time to travel to Botswana is April to October when the days are sunny and not too hot. Evening temperatures drop sharply. During the summer months of November to April, temperatures can rise to over 40 C and there are often thunderstorms in the early afternoons and evenings. At night the temperatures usually drop to around 20 to 25 C. May to October are the winter months and temperatures can reach about 20 C during the day but can drop to as low as 5 C at night. Days normally remain dry, sunny, cool and warm. The winter period ensures a thinning of the vegetation, and this coupled with the need for animals to concentrate on perennial water points makes game viewing easier. The flooding of the Okavango Delta is usually at its height in August. Below is a simple table depicting the average temperatures and rainfall you may expect during your Northern Botswana safari

RAINFALL (mm). This varies according to the year and where you are.
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Range 101 101 51 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 76

TEMPERATURE ( ºC) - These are the average lows and highs
  JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
MIN 19 19 18 15 10   06 06 09 14 19 20 20
MAX 33 32 32 30 28   25 26 27 34 38 40 35

Eswatini has a subtropical climate with summer temperatures of 15 degrees to 25 degrees Celsius and 5 to 19 degrees Celsius in winter, making Eswatini travel pleasant whatever the season. The rainfall at higher altitudes varies from 1 000 to 1 600mm, while in the lower areas it is between 500 and 600mm. The country’s highest point is Emlembe at 1 862m and the lowest at the Usutu River at 21m. The country has a wide range of habitats and great variations in flora and fauna.

Consider, when planning to travel to Eswatini, that the best game-viewing months are in winter (May-August), when the vegetation is less dense, and animals are more easily spotted. Bird watching, however, is best in summer November-April) when the migratory species are home.

The best time to go on a Kenya holiday is traditionally July to February. The classic Kenya safari from July to September, as this is when the Mara provides one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles - the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and zebras, teeming from the south to cross the Mara River into the Masai Mara National Reserve.

The vegetation that covers the rocks and the wildlife that live there and the overall attractiveness of a climate essentially depend on three major factors: temperature, rainfall and humidity. In Kenya these three factors are controlled by altitude. In general the low areas are very hot and the temperature falls as the land rises. The low areas also tend to have poor rainfall and a dry atmosphere with low humidity. The main exceptions are the coastal strip and the area along the shore of Lake Victoria in the west. Both are hot with high rainfall and high humidity.

The weather is tropical to subtropical with the rainy season between November and March. Severe weather conditions include drought and floods.  Climate varies according to area. Inland is cooler than the coast and rainfall higher as the land rises, with most rain between January and March. Hottest and wettest season is October to March. From April to September the coast has warm, mainly dry weather tempered by sea breezes.

Namibia is an all year round destination but special interest groups should take note of the following: the best birding safaris in Africa are during the summer months because of the greater variety of species to be found. Best botanical months are December to May when the vegetation turns green, and also when most plants are in flower. Peak seasons are July to October and middle season May to June. It is advisable to book your Namibia holiday accommodation well in advance as availability will be at a premium.

The Best Time to visit South Africa varies as South Africa is essentially a year round destination; however there are some places that represent more popular South Africa travel attractions at certain times. The northern regions are good destinations in the winter months (May to August) as game viewing is at its best and temperatures are very mild (20 to 25 C). It is dry during the winter months, so there is increased visibility through the bush and limited surface water in the bush, hence this time of year being slightly better for game viewing. The Southern regions are summer destinations with low summer rainfall and temperatures reaching 28 to 30 C or higher on beautiful days. Summer is between November to March. It is recommended that you reserve all your South Africa accommodation as far in advance as possible, since availability is at a premium.

The classic Tanzania safari from July to September, as this is when the Mara provides one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles, the annual migration of over a million wildebeest and zebra, teeming from the south to cross the Mara River into the Masai Mara National Reserve. The stunning Savannah stretches on forever. In the vast landscape you can see Cheetah the fastest animal in the world, chasing Antelope and Gazelle. In the Mara River hippos bathe, and on the banks, crocodiles sun themselves. This is truly one of the world’s very special places.

As East Africa’s plains fade yellow after the summer’s rains, an ancient signal is sent to millions of beast as one, the horizon blurring with the bodies of 1.4 million wildebeest and 200 000 zebra, eland and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators. This is the migration - one of the most awe-inspiring sights on earth.

The migration has its origin on Tanzania’s southern Serengeti plains, where great herds of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelle gather to graze on the rain-ripened grass in January. But by the end of May the depleted plains are unable to sustain them - and an ancient impulse commands them to move. Like iron filings being drawn by a magnet, the great herds sweep north towards the Masai-Mara plains of Kenya.

By July the herds have amassed along the swollen Mara River - their final barrier from the short, sweet grasses ahead. With wild eyes, they plunge in to face the crocodiles which await them. Many who struggle through the deadly flotilla are drowned, or else weakened, falling prey to ambushing lions. This is the dramatic life-and-death struggle that travellers have come to see. Between June and October the herds total 1.4 million beasts in the Masai Mara (Kenya). Here the green grass of the Mara-plains nourishes them until the arrival of the November rains, calling them back south again. Back on the rain-sweetened Serengeti grasslands, the pregnant females give birth in spontaneous profusion. The circle of life is completed.

Zambia has a moderate climate due to its elevation, even though it lies well into the tropics. November to March is the rainy season. April to July - dry, warm days with cold nights. August to October - hot and dry.

Zanzibar enjoys a tropical climate, the cooler season being July- October when the average temperature is 26 degrees Centigrade. This is the most appropriate time to visit the Spice Islands when holiday travel is pleasant. Short rains usually come in November when the average temperature is in the range of 28 degrees Centigrade all the way to about March when the long rain sets in.

The best time to visit Zanzibar is between July and March when Zanzibar travel is most comfortable. November can be very humid and has short rain showers that last for a few minutes on some days. Otherwise the weather is consistently warm to hot and the air quite humid, although the more luxurious Zanzibar hotels have air-conditioning.

Zimbabwe is an all year round destination, but for special interest groups such as high adventure enthusiasts, white water rafting is most exciting when the Zambezi waters are low, which is generally from August to December. Best botanical months to visit the famous Vumba Botanical Gardens are Dec - May when the vegetation is lush and green, also when most plants are in flower. Bear this in mind when planning your Zimbabwe holiday.

Summer is from October to April. Days are hot and generally sunny in the morning with possible afternoon thunder storms. Day temperatures reach about 30C and night temperatures drop to 14 degrees Centigrade – 16 degrees Centigrade. It can also be considerably warmer all year round in the low-lying areas such as Kariba, Victoria Falls, and Zambezi Valley. The rainy season is from November to March, although the Eastern Highlands are damp for most of the year. Winter is from May to September, days are dry, sunny and cool to warm (20 degrees Centigrade) while evening temperatures drop sharply (5 degrees Centigrade). Exceptionally cold spells can occur so it is recommended to bring appropriate clothing on your Zimbabwe holiday, just in case.

In Zimbabwe the seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. Summer is at its hottest over Christmas, while winter lasts from May to August. It is considerably warmer in low-lying areas such as Kariba, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Gonarezhou and the Zambezi Valley. Winter days are generally dry and sunny with temperatures averaging 15-20 degrees Centigrade. In summer, temperatures range from 25-30 degrees Centigrade during the day. The hottest month is October when temperatures often exceed 32 degrees Centigrade. The sun can be very harsh and it is advisable to wear a hat and sunblock. The rainy season runs from November to March. Be sure to take this into account when planning your Zimbabwe tour.