There’s no wrong season for Africa

June – October: Wildlife, Whales & Wildflowers

Best for: Kruger, Okavango Delta, Chobe, Victoria Falls, Hermanus, KwaZulu-Natal (winter beach), West Coast & Klein Karoo, Eastern Cape Safaris (year-round), Garden Route (year-round)

• Winter is one of the best times to visit Kruger National Park. The bush becomes less dense as vegetation thins out, making it easier to spot wildlife, especially around waterholes and rivers. Clear skies, mild days, and minimal rain make for exceptional safari conditions. Choose a lodge in the greater Kruger for an iconic Kruger safari.
• The Okavango Delta comes alive with seasonal floodwaters between June (as early as May) and August (as late as October), fed not by local rain, but by distant summer rainfall in Angola that slowly makes its way down the Okavango River. This annual flood transforms the Delta into a lush, navigable wonderland—perfect for mokoro (dugout canoe) adventures, water safaris, birding, and boat-based wildlife viewing. It’s a surreal experience floating silently through papyrus-lined channels, with elephants and antelope feeding on the islands. Combine the Delta with other destinations with our Best of Botswana package.
• As Botswana’s dry season intensifies, enormous herds of elephant and other game migrate toward the Chobe River, making July to October the peak time for wildlife concentration. The Chobe River itself typically peaks around June or July, attracting thousands of animals to its banks. River safaris at this time are unforgettable, offering close-up views of elephants swimming, buffalo herds drinking, and predators lurking nearby.
• Always a breathtaking sight, Victoria Falls is especially rewarding between June and August—with strong water flow, good visibility, and less mist, making it easier to explore both sides of the gorge.
• Southern right whales arrive in June along the coast to calve and breed, offering world-renowned land-based whale watching from Hermanus and De Kelders. Go there for a day on our Wines & Whales tour, or enjoy exploring this beautiful coastline in our Ultimate Holiday.
• While much of Southern Africa cools down, KwaZulu-Natal’s subtropical coast remains pleasantly warm. Winter is a fantastic time to enjoy its beaches, explore the Drakensberg, and experience fewer crowds.
• From August to September, arid landscapes burst into bloom during the brief but dramatic wildflower season. Head to Namaqua National Park, West Coast National Park, or the Klein Karoo to witness this floral spectacle.
• Winter months (May – July) is low season for Cape Town & the Cape Winelands. Although we consider Cape Town a year-round destination, most of the rainfall is received during the winter, and June – July can be quite rainy, cold and wet.
• This time of year is also winter in the Garden Route, with cooler temperatures, but the Garden Route experiences a more moderate climate and less daytime rainfall than Cape Town, giving the Garden Route many sunny, crisp, pleasant winter/spring days.