Game viewing is easiest in the dry season, and not because the animals behave differently. Grass is shorter, vegetation is thinner and water is scarce, so wildlife concentrates around a small number of predictable places. Wet-season safaris are greener, cheaper and much harder work.
When to go
East African dry season runs June to October, with the Serengeti river crossings of the Great Migration typically falling between July and September. Calving season in the southern Serengeti is January to February — fewer crossings, but dense predator activity. The long rains of March to May are the weakest window for visibility and the strongest for value.
Planning tips
- Position matters more than month: the migration is a moving target, so pick your camp accordingly.
- Mornings and late afternoons are when predators move; midday is for resting, theirs and yours.
- Dry season is also peak pricing — book six to twelve months ahead for the best camps.
- Bring layers. Dry-season dawns are genuinely cold before the sun gets up.
Frequently asked questions
When to go
East African dry season runs June to October, with the Serengeti river crossings of the Great Migration typically falling between July and September. Calving season in the southern Serengeti is January to February — fewer crossings, but dense predator activity. The long rains of March to May are the weakest window for visibility and the strongest for value.
Where to see it
These destinations are the most reliable places to plan around safari season. Serengeti, Tanzania; Cape Town, South Africa.