The Green Season/Low Season Safaris Ultimate Guide
The Green Season/Low Season Safaris Ultimate Guide. ‘Green Season/Low Season’ refers to a designated timeframe in the safari sector in Africa, occurring during the warm, wet months. This period is conventionally regarded as the off-peak season for safari excursions and is seen unsuitable for wildlife observation, as animals become more elusive amidst the proliferation of fresh foliage and tall grasses. Wildlife disperses from waterholes and rivers, capitalising on the plentiful surface water and the fresh grazing that transforms the arid savannah into verdant meadows.
The emergence of fresh grazing areas prompts the migrations of substantial herds of wildebeest and zebra in both East and Southern Africa. The summer period is not typically seen as an opportune time for safari, as the heat is exacerbated by humidity from afternoon thundershowers, creating ideal breeding grounds for insects, which are most abundant during this season. Having stated that …
A Low Season Safaris/Green Season safari conceals numerous hidden gems, and this off-peak period is regarded by many safari enthusiasts as the best time to explore Africa. The outcome is contingent upon your desired experiences and observations along your journey. To assist you in determining if a Green Season safari suits your preferences, we have compiled this comprehensive handbook encompassing all essential information regarding Africa’s Green Season:
Green Season Safari: The Big Secret
When is Green Season?
Africa is a vast continent; even after excluding the surface areas of the USA, Germany, India, and China, there remains a substantial amount of land. To comprehend this vastness, we categorise it into four destination groups: Southern Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and the Indian Ocean Islands.
1. Southern Africa
- Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – Green Season: November to April
*The seasons in South Africa differ marginally from those in the broader Southern African region. The rainy season in Kruger National Park is from November to April, but Cape Town experiences a parched summer. Cape Town experiences a rainy winter season from June to August.
2. East Africa
- Kenya, and Tanzania – November to December and April to May
- Rwanda, and Uganda – October to December and March to May
East Africa experiences two different rainy seasons.
The ‘long rains’ (March/April to May)
The ‘short rains’ (October/November to December)
As the name implies, the lengthy rains are much heavier. In order to provide their employees with a long and well-earned holiday and to handle basic maintenance and renovations, several lodges and camps may close during this time. Rivers overflow their banks, dirt roads turn to sticky muck, and there is never a truly sunny moment to see wildlife because of the nearly constant drizzle.
November and December are typically when the brief showers are forecast. The dry mid-year winter, which is regarded as the high or peak safari season, is broken by them. In the mornings, which can be quite sunny and humid, clouds accumulate, and in the late afternoons, they break up into magnificent but usually brief showers.
The greatest times to undertake gorilla trekking in Rwanda vs Uganda rainforests are from January to February and June to September, which are the dry seasons.
3. Central Africa
- Congo: March to April and October to December
If you’re considering a gorilla trekking trip, the same general guideline applies: it’s preferable to travel between January and February and May and September, when Congo is dry.
4. Indian Ocean Islands
- Mauritius, and Seychelles: January to March
- Zanzibar: April to May
We advise against visiting Mauritius during the wet cyclone season from January to March, and Zanzibar during its two rainy seasons from mid-March to late May and again in November. While January and February are the wettest months in the Seychelles, rainfall typically occurs in brief tropical showers, followed by sunshine.
Pros & Cons of a Green Season Safari
Pros
- Lots of baby animals around – excellent for predator action
- Fantastic time for birdwatching
- No crowds – national parks are quiet
- Sublime photography conditions
- Low accommodation rates
Cons
- Hot and occasionally wet weather
- Some lodges may not be open
- More insects, including mosquitos – higher risk of malaria
- Animals are trickier to spot in Southern Africa due to lush vegetation
Our favourite Natural Events kick off after the first rains of the Green Season:
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- Massive herds of wildebeest move from Kenya’s Masai Mara to Tanzania’s Serengeti.
- Zebras migrate from the Chobe region of Botswana to the Kalahari.
- The birthing season commences, populating the plains with charming fawns, foals, calves, and cubs.
- Numerous migratory birds arrive to inhabit the vibrant ecosystems of Africa’s lakes and lagoons.
The Green Season offers photographers the finest lighting of the year, as scorched sky give way to rich golden illumination and dramatic grey hues of towering clouds. The rain-cleansed atmosphere is invigorating and transparent, enhancing the vibrancy of hues, while the layered sunsets are exquisite. Numerous wildlife events can be documented, ranging from infants taking their initial steps to the intense life-and-death encounters between predators and prey.
Most importantly, it is the season when you may have the wilderness all to yourself. Due to safari’s off-peak season, visitor numbers are sparse, even in popular places. In nations such as Kenya and Tanzania, one can experience optimal wildlife observation devoid of crowds throughout the year. A reduced number of guests results in a more intimate and tailored experience at every stage, thereby lowering costs while enhancing value.
Unfortunately, some of Africa’s greatest lodges are unreachable during the rainy Green Season due of river crossings and airstrips getting inundated. Other lodges select this tranquil period to close for their regular maintenance.
Africa is a diverse environment where insects are a fundamental component of the ecosystem. Following precipitation, insects typically reproduce in moist, warm environments. This indicates an increased presence of insects, including mosquitoes. We consistently advise implementing measures to prevent bug bites and seeking guidance from your local travel clinic for malaria prophylaxis year-round. The Green Season is analogous.
A manifest drawback is the precipitation characteristic of the Green Season. However, although it increases humidity and disrupts most afternoons, the rain in Africa is seldom disagreeable. It is essential to note that inland from the shore, where renowned game-viewing locations are situated, precipitation typically occurs in consistent afternoon thunderstorms. They accumulate significantly and dissipate rapidly, resulting in cold, crisp air that settles the dust and enhances the comfort of your afternoon snooze. The peak period for safari experiences occurs during the arid months, commencing with the brisk mornings and evenings of winter and culminating in the sweltering heat and dust of the late dry season. During the Green Season, temperatures are often mild and mitigated by humidity, resulting in conditions that may be sticky yet generally agreeable.
Where to Go on a Green Season Safari
If you’re a fairly intrepid visitor or planning to return to Africa, the Green Season’s advantages are worth considering, notably in the hidden gem destinations. It’s in these specific places where amazing wildlife spectacles occur, affording you an incredible safari experience in the quieter months.
1. Botswana
Is An Okavango Delta Safari in Moremi, Botswana Worth It
Botswana is unequivocally the highlight of the Green Season in Southern Africa. The precipitation in November and December initiates a migration of thousands of zebras from the floodplains around the Chobe River to the Nxai Pan region, where they will stay until approximately February. The terrain shifts from barren dust plains to verdant grasslands, featuring abundant surface water retained in ephemeral lakes and seasonal streams. These conditions are optimal for the mass birth of foals, fawns, and calves.
Group birthing serves as a survival instinct; a solitary infant presents a conspicuous target for predators, whereas multiple infants of similar age and strength enhance the likelihood of survival for the majority. The profusion of fragile young animals lures the principal predators to the grazing herds. Lions, wild dogs, cheetahs, and hyenas capitalise on the favourable hunting conditions, rendering it an opportune period for the birthing of their cubs and pups.
2. South Africa
Let’s go on SAFARI in South Africa 🇿🇦 all-inclusive luxury
While many concur that the optimal period for wildlife observation in Kruger National Park is the dry season (June to October), a Green Season safari in South Africa’s premier conservation area can be equally gratifying and more cost-effective. Tracking and spotting animals will become more difficult due to the lush vegetation resulting from the rains; nevertheless, ultimately locating a pride of lions consuming a kudu will significantly enhance the reward. Furthermore, you will likely be the sole vehicle present at the sighting.
A notable advantage of a Green Season safari in the Kruger is the opportunity to combine it with a prime-time visit to Cape Town, one of the world’s most beloved cities. The Mother City experiences a moderate climate characterised by warm, arid temperatures from October to April. During the peak summer months (December to February), one may anticipate lively beaches, dynamic nightlife, and splendidly sunny joyful exuberance. Experience exquisite dining at premier restaurants, indulge in wine tasting in the stunning Cape Winelands, and explore the city’s iconic landmark, Table Mountain.
3. Zimbabwe
Africa’s Eden: Mana Pools National Park
A Green Season safari in Zimbabwe provides the opportunity to experience unobstructed wildlife observation in Hwange National Park alongside a visit to the world’s largest waterfall, Victoria Falls. The waterfall is at its peak flow and loudest from March to July, offering striking vistas near the conclusion of the Green Season (March and April).
Hwange is the nation’s most renowned big game reserve, hosting a prolific population of species. It serves as a refuge for the highest densities of elephants, following Botswana’s Chobe National Park, and is an exceptional locale for observing Africa’s apex predators.
4. Kenya & Tanzania
Kenya + Tanzania Safari
In East Africa, a significant benefit of the Green Season is the absence of traffic congestion from safari vehicles near game encounters. One can also witness a phase of the Wildebeest Migration that is dramatic, adorable, and awe-inspiring.
The short rains in November initiate the Wildebeest Migration, leading the herds from the Masai Mara to the northern Serengeti to graze on the young grasses and give birth to their offspring. Beginning in December, the plains become populated from horizon to horizon with wildebeest and their calves, zebras and their foals, along with various predators drawn to the abundant prey.
This remarkable experience offers crowd-free game viewing at off-peak pricing — an advantageous combo. In addition to experiencing one of the most stunning and evocative phases of the Migration, one may also partake in exceptional game viewing within iconic landscapes that provide a distinct benefit unique to a Green Season safari: outstanding photography conditions.