Africa in August: Things to Do & Destinations

South Africa

Cape Town

Intense Whale Watching in Hermanus!

A significant offshore migration reaches its zenith along the South African coast in September. Southern right whales have migrated from Antarctica, prepared to breed and recuperate in the waters of the Western Cape. The bays surrounding Cape Town are adorned with massive tails and sporadic breaches by male whales. Whales are observable throughout the coastline from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape, with the most consistent sightings being near Cape Town’s Whale Coast. Hermanus, a coastal hamlet, is the premier destination in September for exceptional shore-based whale watching globally.

Garden Route

The Cape’s wildflowers bloom profusely, infusing the verdant environment with brilliant hues. The West Coast of Cape Town is the ideal destination in September to witness the exquisite onset of Spring. Proceed down the renowned Garden Route to explore its unspoiled beaches, native woods, and charming coastal communities. Proceed to the Eastern Cape, where private game reserves teem with elephants, lions, and kudus amidst fields of spring flowers, set against hilly landscapes. The Eastern Cape is devoid of malaria and serves as an excellent choice for a family safari in September.

Botswana

Okavango Delta

Africa’s Ultimate Safari | The Okavango Delta (Botswana)

Floodwaters inundate the region from May to October, causing the Okavango Delta to expand to three times its permanent dimensions. Temperatures are temperate, and a plethora of species is observable; elephants, buffalo, cheetahs, leopards, both white and black rhinos, African wild dogs, and lions coexist in a single locale. The Okavango Delta is regarded as Africa’s Garden of Eden and one of the continent’s remaining authentic wildernesses. Silently navigating its papyrus-lined rivers in a mokoro (traditional canoe) – akin to the Venice of safari – while observing large wildlife at the water’s edge is an unparalleled experience. The Okavango Delta is the premier destination in September for exceptional wildlife observation in one of nature’s true beauties.

Chobe

Chobe National Park, renowned for its extensive elephant herds, is celebrated for exceptional wildlife watching throughout the dry season from May to October. This is when a growing population of water-dependent species, particularly elephants and buffalo, gathers along the banks of the Chobe River. Daytime temperatures rise from August to October; nonetheless, if you can endure the heat, Chobe is among the premier destinations in Africa in September for exceptional elephant observations.

Namibia

Etosha

Namibia | Wildlife Documentary

The arid winter months of May to October in Namibia are considered the optimal period for wildlife observation, particularly in the prominent Etosha National Park. The skies are clear, the malaria risk is minimal, and vast quantities of wildlife are congregated around the season’s final water sources.

Kenya

Masai Mara

Kenya Safari: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Naivasha

The surviving wildebeest disperse across the verdant fields of the Masai Mara, shaking off the moisture from their treacherous river crossings. Exempt from the perils of crocodile-infested waterways, the herds of the Wildebeest Migration must now be vigilant against the Mara’s apex predators, which have been anticipating their arrival with keen interest. This is the destination to visit in September to observe the mega-herds of the Migration grazing voraciously prior to their return to the Serengeti.

The selection of a specific region within the Masai Mara will impact your safari experience in September. The national reserve experiences peak activity during the Wildebeest Migration (about July to November), and the majority of the region’s camps and lodges accommodate substantial guest volumes. The private conservancies to the north provide greater serenity with luxury tented camps and unique activities such as off-road game watching, nature hikes, and nocturnal game drives—activities prohibited in the national reserve. We advise residing in one of the Masai Mara’s conservancies; you remain in proximity to the Migration’s prime locations while having the option to withdraw to your exclusive camp for tranquilly and solitude.

Tanzania

Tarangire & Katavi

SAFARI in TANZANIA | TARANGIRE National Park

As the final wildebeest depart the renowned Serengeti by September, safari tourists to Tanzania may consider seeing the nation’s lesser-known yet still remarkable areas. While Tarangire and Katavi National Parks may not be widely recognised, they offer exceptional wildlife observation, particularly in September.

Tarangire is strategically located between Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater, rendering it an excellent complement to these two more renowned attractions. This region is ideal to visit in September, since the dry season yields some of the biggest densities of wildlife along the Tarangire River in Tanzania, and the park is renowned for exceptional elephant observations. Katavi National Park receives only a limited number of visitors annually, however it has significant populations of buffalo, elephant, hippo, crocodile, and lion in and around its rivers.

Ruaha & Nyerere

Ruaha National Park, characterised by its difficult terrain, reflects the dry season’s wealth of wildlife, housing Tanzania’s greatest elephant herds, all major felines, rare wild dogs, and approximately 500 documented bird species. Nyerere National Park is among the premier destinations in Africa to visit in September. It is vast (almost twice the size of Belgium) and extraordinarily untamed, characterised by the prominent Rufiji River, which is abundant with prehistoric-sized crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and elephants.

Indian Ocean Islands

Seychelles, Mauritius & Mozambique

Seychelles vs. Mauritius

For those situated in the northern hemisphere, September heralds the impending arrival of winter, typically offering an opportunity for a final indulgence in sun, sea, and sand. In the southern region, September witnesses the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean basking contentedly in the sun. It is among the driest months in the Seychelles, as well as in the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos of Mauritius and Mozambique, with daytime temperatures rarely falling below 28 °C / 83 °F. For scuba divers or snorkelers, the Seychelles or Mozambique is the ideal destination in September, as visibility is exceptionally excellent.

The Seychelles provides secluded islands, pristine reefs, and unique lodging, and due to its flight accessibility from Nairobi, it can be effortlessly incorporated into a Kenya safari in September. Mauritius is the perfect all-encompassing island vacation, including an exhilarating combination of premier resorts, golf courses, dive lodges, and honeymoon retreats. In Mozambique, the northern Quirimbas seamlessly integrate with a Tanzania safari (accessible via flight from Dar es Salaam), and the southern Bazaruto Archipelago links with South Africa’s Kruger National Park for a quintessential beach-and-bush vacation.