Africa in April: When/Where to Go, Things to Do & Weather
In April, Southern Africa, especially South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, is an excellent option for a safari experience as the climate shifts from the wet season to the dry season. The Bespoke African Safari Co. observes that April is an optimal period to explore Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands in South Africa, along with Victoria Falls, Chobe River, and Savuti in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Moreover, SafariBookings.com recommends seeing Cape Town and the Garden Route in South Africa, as well as the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa in Zambia. For a more tranquil beach excursion, consider Mauritius, Seychelles, or Mozambique, as the cyclone season has concluded.
The significant summer begins to diminish in Africa in April, allowing the year to pause before winter arrives. In the sun-drenched Western Cape, the city of Cape Town receives its initial autumnal precipitation. To the north, safari regions like as Kruger, Botswana, and Zimbabwe become accessible following months of substantial rainfall. Adorned in verdant foliage, they provide exquisite landscapes, exceptional avian observation, and commendable wildlife viewing. South Africa continues to experience delightful bright days, accompanied by a slight chill in the early mornings, but the Indian Ocean islands provide tourists with warm days on lovely beaches. These are merely a selection of the premier destinations to explore in April. Africa in April represents a transitional period between summer and winter, offering a serene experience for those seeking to evade peak-season crowds and pricing.
Africa in April: Things to Do & Destinations
1. South Africa
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park Safari
The summer rains in Kruger commence in November, reach their zenith in January and February, and conclude around April. In this low or Green Season, the Kruger transforms into a stunning, green emerald landscape, providing exceptional photographic opportunities.
In April, the afternoon thundershowers of summer are diminishing, and the early morning chill of winter is approaching. April is the best time to visit the Kruger for a premier safari experience prior to the influx of peak season tourists.
Cape Town
If you seek an exceptional trip destination in April, consider Cape Town. Cape Town is consistently recognised as one of the premier vacation destinations globally for families, couples, and single travellers, making it an excellent place to visit in April.
South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ features stunning natural landscapes, excellent lodging, and exceptional weather throughout the year. Summer temperatures reach their zenith from December to February, when the majority of visitors depart, resulting in more favourable prices and less crowded beaches until April. The period from April to June features brisk and clear days, ideal for a trekking excursion around Table Mountain.
2. Namibia
Why We Chose a Private Safari in Namibia (and You Should Too!)
April is an ideal period to explore this delightful and hospitable nation. The peak season crowds in Namibia have not yet arrived, and the mild wet season has diminished alongside the heat, while the winter chill is still a month away. Anticipate temperate days characterised by billowy clouds in a clear azure sky. The current conditions are optimal for photography, as April’s freshly cleansed atmosphere and absence of dust provide unobstructed visibility. The landscape will captivate your attention the most!
The combination of Namibia’s highlands and desert is captivating, particularly in the dry season. Subsequent to the precipitation, it erupts with vibrant opulence. Vivid green contrasts sharply with the apricot-hued dunes of Sossusvlei, while the desert’s reflective waterholes are bordered by fluttering birds and butterflies. In Etosha National Park, elephants and giraffes graze on verdant forests, while zebras and many antelope traverse the grassland. Large felines recline with distended abdomens in the shade—Namibia is the destination in April to observe the emergence of summer’s fawns as they integrate into the herds.
3. Mozambique
AFRICA’S HIDDEN GEM! 🇲🇿 MOZAMBIQUE (VILANCULOS)
Although April is not the peak season for Mozambique’s Bazaruto and Quirimbas Archipelagos, enthusiasts of the region believe that this shoulder season justifies the occasional rainfall.
The five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago experience the cessation of their summer rains by April, with progressively drier conditions as the month advances. Benguerra and Bazaruto Islands are the two largest, offering tourists a selection of romantic retreats and intimate family-oriented resorts. The pinnacle of experiences at Bazaruto National Park is diving and snorkelling, closely followed by spa massages and seafood banquets.
The Quirimbas Archipelago, located on Mozambique’s northern coast, is a more exclusive location. A series of predominantly uninhabited coral islands, some merely a narrow strip, is where one may discover Crusoe-inspired beach cottages and understated luxury retreats. If you become weary of powdery white beaches and vibrant tropical reefs, explore the historic town on Ibo Island, where guides lead you to Portuguese churches and dilapidated forts, accompanied by the melodic sounds of local silversmiths at work.
4. Seychelles
La Digue Seychelles
You may assume that the Seychelles, the quintessence of an opulent beach vacation, is a reliable choice throughout the year. Indeed, it is! April marks the transition when the warm and humid trade winds diminish in anticipation of the chilly winter winds that disturb the water’s surface. The outcome is tranquil, temperate water and remarkable underwater visibility reaching an impressive 30 meters (98 feet).
The Seychelles is an excellent destination to visit in April for families with young children, and it is also an optimal period for avid divers. However, the benevolent characteristics of the Seychelles allow one to appreciate its underwater realm without the necessity of cumbersome dive gear, thereby avoiding the appearance of a character from Star Wars. With sea temperatures reaching a pleasant 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and tropical reefs situated nearby, the Seychelles is an ideal destination where one can easily exit a hammock, don a mask and snorkel, and engage in snorkelling while remaining within sight of room service.
5. Victoria Falls
Visiting Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe (Everything You Need to Know!)
Consider Africa’s fourth largest river, inundate it with five months of summer rainfall, and then cast it over a mile-wide precipice to cascade 360 feet into a profound gorge. The resultant plume of spray is visible from 30 miles away, and the water resonates like distant thunder. Welcome to Victoria Falls at peak flow! If this is a destination on your bucket list, April is the best time to visit.
Be advised: it may seem peculiar, yet you must contemplate how you would perceive it. Observation stations frequently resemble outdoor showers, with a limited number of resilient visitors attired in waterproof garments, typically ponchos supplied by their tour guides. Across from the Main Falls, where vast quantities of water cascade over the precipice, vision may be compromised and the sound overwhelming. The essence of Victoria Falls is its direct confrontation with the planet’s most formidable and immense cascade, serving as a profound reminder of humanity’s triviality in the grand scheme of existence.
April is an opportune period to observe Victoria Falls from an aerial perspective. The ‘Flight of Angels’ helicopter excursion, inspired by David Livingstone, is a favoured option for couples and kids, whereas a tandem microlight flight caters to the more adventurous individuals.
6. Mauritius
Things I Wish I Knew Before Going To Mauritius
Mauritius possesses a desirable subtropical climate that often provides ideal beach conditions for the most of the year. Nevertheless, January and February may have significant precipitation due to storms originating from the Indian Ocean. April is warm, with temperatures reaching approximately 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
This beautiful island’s sunny beaches have long been a popular choice for family vacations. Temperate and shallow seas provide secure swimming environments for children, while activities like as snorkelling, water skiing, parasailing, or windsurfing offer extensive enjoyment for adult tourists. Numerous holiday destinations offer on-site children’s clubs, enabling parents to partake in scuba diving excursions or a round of golf.