Africa In January: Things to Do & Destinations

1. Congo, Rwanda & Uganda

Things to Do: Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – FACE TO FACE WITH WILD MOUNTAIN GORILLAS | Volcanoes National Park

January in Africa is an optimal period to engage in what many regard as one of the most significant wildlife encounters globally: a direct contact with gorillas in their natural environment. While gorilla trekking is regarded as a year-round pursuit, a visit in April or November will elucidate the reason these areas are termed ‘rainforests.’ The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) in Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda provide the most favourable trekking conditions and the minimal danger of malaria.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Congo encompasses 13,500 square kilometres (5,200 square miles) of pristine tropical rainforest, hosting one of Africa’s most diversified populations of primates. Odzala-Kokoua is acclaimed for its effective conservation of western lowland gorillas, the smaller, less hirsute relatives of mountain gorillas, and is the premier destination in Africa in January to observe them in their natural habitat. Trekking for gorillas in the Congo provides an unparalleled ‘Heart of Africa’ experience and is advisable for adventurous travellers.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is a meticulously safeguarded and observed reserve teeming with monkeys and avian species. It also provides Africa’s most accessible gorilla trekking expeditions. The extended dry season in Rwanda commences in June and persists until around mid-September. The period from October to November experiences a brief wet season, after by a short dry season from December to February. Despite experiencing increased humidity compared to the June to September timeframe, Rwanda provides some of the premier African gorilla trekking experiences in January due to a lower influx of tourists than during the extended dry season.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda is situated in an equatorial region, with typical temperatures in the mid-twenties Celsius (mid-seventies Fahrenheit), resulting in year-round tropical conditions. January’s arid days facilitate forest walking, particularly when illuminated by radiant beams of sunlight filtering through the arboreal canopy, accompanied by butterflies fluttering in iridescent clusters. Upon returning to camp, the improved weather allows for leisurely strolls to nearby villages and volcanoes, with the landscape being exceptionally picturesque.

Approximately 900 mountain gorillas remain on Earth, and trekking into their native habitats in regions such as Uganda and Rwanda is the sole method to observe these critically endangered primates, as they cannot thrive in captivity. Uganda provides the most economical gorilla trekking permits in Africa and is among the premier destinations for primate encounters in January.

2. South Africa

Things to Do: A Summer Playground

SOUTH AFRICA: waterfalls, beach days, penguins, etc!!

South Africa experiences a rather temperate environment, with temperatures reaching their zenith from December to March. Cape Town thrives with lively beaches, dynamic nightlife, and splendid sunny festivities, establishing it as one of the premier African beach destinations in January.

As the summer temperatures rise, Cape Town, the adjacent Cape Winelands, and the stunning Garden Route serve as excellent complementary destinations, ranking among the premier locations to explore in South Africa throughout January. The weather is nearly ideal, with a focus on outdoor activities. The nation’s exceptional tourism infrastructure facilitates automobile rentals, granting families and couples the autonomy to explore at their leisure.

Highlights of South Africa in January:

• Concerts and picnics in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
• Sundowner drinks atop Table Mountain.
• Wine tasting and award-winning cuisine in the Cape Winelands.
• Never-ending beaches and warm Indian Ocean waters along the Garden Route.
• Crowning your Garden Route trip with a Big 5 safari in the Eastern Cape.

3. Tanzania

Things to Do: Beach Safari Holidays

WILD SERENGETI | Battle for Survival in Predator Territory

Predators have monitored the yearly Wildebeest Migration for millennia. Humans may have exchanged their spears for cameras and camcorders, however the tumultuous spectacle — approximately two million wildebeest and zebra in motion – continues unabated.

The Migration’s calving season is underway in the Southern Serengeti, with more than 8,000 wildebeest calves being born daily. Should the brief wet season (November–December) yield ample grazing, the animals would consume voraciously to sustain themselves until the subsequent phase of the Great Migration. The herds are perpetually threatened by the formidable predators of the Serengeti. The large felines dominate, however opportunistic jackals, wild dog bands, and hyena clans contribute to the intrigue. The Serengeti is the ideal destination for a January safari if you wish to observe the circle of life shown in a live-action drama, despite the melancholy nature of the experience.

4. Zanzibar

Zanzibar Solo Travel Diaries//Entry 1 – Baladin Hotel, The Rock Restaurant, Safari Blue

While observing a frigid and damp January day from your window in the northern hemisphere, note that along East Africa’s temperate Indian Ocean coast, the air and water temperatures are approximately equivalent at a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).

Zanzibar is the premier gem in Tanzania’s coastal collection and ranks among the top African beach resorts in January. This is the perfect culmination of your Tanzania safari expedition! Navigate the serpentine streets and vibrant bazaars of historic Stone Town, relish the stunning beaches dispersed throughout Zanzibar and its adjacent islets, and experience some of the premier snorkelling and scuba diving conditions globally. Integrating a beach vacation in Zanzibar with a safari in Tanzania is seamless and strongly advised for an exceptional African experience in January.

4. Kenya

Things to Do: Wildlife experiences 

The Great Migration – Wildebeest Migration from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara, Crossing Mara River

The enchanting Masai Mara is Kenya’s foremost safari locale, offering exceptional wildlife observation throughout the year. Due to its diversified landscapes, temperate climate, abundant native wildlife, and expansive plains, there is always something to observe. What are the reasons for embarking on a Masai Mara safari in January? You will probably possess a wildlife area approximately twice the size of New York only for yourself!

The Wildebeest Migration and its accompanying spectators have relocated to the Serengeti, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of safari vehicles there. January in East Africa is regarded as the safari ‘shoulder season‘, resulting in somewhat reduced lodging costs compared to the high season (June to October); this is an additional advantage of undertaking East African safari excursions in January.

The Masai Mara National Reserve and its adjacent private conservancies constitute a haven for a plethora of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and the renowned big cats of the Mara: lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The Mara offers exceptional African excursions in January for all types of travellers, from multi-generational family vacations to couples commemorating significant events.

5. Botswana

Things to Do: Where the Desert Comes to Life

My Trip to Botswana | Safari in Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park

January is firmly entrenched in Botswana’s wet season; the elephant herds near the Chobe River have scattered, and the dry-season waterholes remain deserted. In the southern Kalahari, the rains have converted the red semi-desert into a vibrant green paradise. Shallow lakes lure flocks of flamingos, large felines pursue herds of skittish springbok mothers and their offspring, while the atmosphere buzzes with swooping birds attracted to insect swarms.

It is the Kalahari in its prime! The average precipitation for January in the Kalahari is approximately 104 millimetres, occurring over a scant nine days. An umbrella will be unnecessary; in fact, precipitation may not occur at all. Bird enthusiasts will be captivated by the Kalahari’s avian diversity, while wildlife photographers will be astonished by one of the Kalahari’s hidden treasures: the yearly zebra migration.

Beginning in December each year, large herds of striped equines migrate to the Kalahari, where they stay until approximately February. The zebra migration in Botswana is regarded as the longest terrestrial wildlife migration in Africa and has only been identified in recent years due to the inaccessibility of many locations it traverses. Proceed to the Kalahari parks – the Central Kalahari, Nxai Pan, and Makgadikgadi Pans – where the summer precipitation has entirely converted this semi-arid area into a grazing utopia. It is among Southern Africa’s most gratifying destinations for a safari in January.