Climate, climate change, the dry and wet seasons in. The dry season in southern africa runs from about may to october. Dry season typically lasts during what is thought of as summer months and is defined by cloudless, sunny days. Best time to visit rwenzori, when to hike rwenzori. And dont pay much attention to what folks are saying. January to february in most cases, these months are fairly hot and dry, and there is little to no rainfall. We recommend the dry winter safari season late may to august. The grassland of africa is located in the tropical wet and tropical wet and dry climate. Theres no simple best time to visit kenya as good conditions vary across the country, and one persons ideal weather will be anothers disappointment. Equatorial east africa kenya, tanzania, rwanda and. Data shows that in africa the start of the dry season coincides with a rise in the cases of measleswhich researchers believe might be attributed to. Wildlife viewing is good yearround, but this can differ for some parks. If we follow the traditional, european view that each season is.
Best time to visit south africa month by month safaribookings. When all 75 million fires are mapped and colored by month, a clear geographic and temporal pattern emerges. Winter dry season the climate in botswana is semiarid. Although areas just outside of this region also experience wind. For game viewing, travel in the cool but dry months of. Representatives of the local fauna generally behave the same at any time of the year. This climate produces 2575cm of precipitation per year. Wildlife viewing in africa is generally best during the dry season when the lack of grass and foliage increases visibility, and the animals and birds are forced to congregate around limited water sources. The dry season begins in december and ends in march. May 01, 2018 the best time to visit victoria falls in africa. Johannesburg has dry periods in may, june, july and august. During the wet season, at least 25 inches will fall.
The dry season is a yearly period of low rainfall, especially in the tropics. Dec 15, 2019 the region is almost completely devoid of weather measurements yet it is a key driver of the west african monsoon system, which brings three months of rain that interrupts the ninemonth long dry. The dry season is the beginning of cattle rustling in some communities in south sudan. There are two main seasons in tanzania including a dry season june through november and a green season december through may though even in the green season it is mostly dry, warm and sunny rainfall is limited to a couple inches during an entire month and rarely impedes game drives. Monsoon months this is a sovereign country located in yep, you guessed it africa. Best time to visit rwenzori, when to hike rwenzori, climbing. Victoria falls dries to a trickle after worst drought in a. The warmest month is january with an average maximum temperature of 25c 77f. According to the weather channel, the best general months for an african safari are september, october, march or april, when temperatures arent so scorchinghot. These months are the heavier rainy season, and road conditions can become difficult.
This is when game viewing apart from namibia which is great all year round is at its best in south africa, botswana, zimbabwe and zambia especially in the hotter, drier months at the end of the season. Broadly speaking, the wet and dry seasons across africa can be described as follows. In lord of the flies why wont simon try anymore to talk in front of the. The best time to visit kenya is during the dry season from late june to october these are the best wildlife viewing months. Winter mornings and evenings can get quite cold, so pack some mittens and a scarf. Zimbabwe and zambia especially in the hotter, drier months at the end of the season. The summer months bring brief but refreshing afternoon thundershowers. The climate of africa is a range of climates such as the equatorial climate, the tropical wet and dry climate, the tropical monsoon climate, the semidesert. They are at their best during the dry season when wildlife is easier to spot, and the okavango is flooded. The climate in the northern part of the country is different from the climate in southern nigeria. During the dry season, expect to see herds around water sources. You can finally breathe again, said kait parker, meteorologist and former south florida resident.
Picking between the dry and the rainy season in ghana it starts in december and stretches up to march, but the sand fog turns the air into a disaster. It takes a few months for the falls to almost literally gather steam after a dry winter in midyear. In ghana, the climate is tropical, with a dry season in winter and a rainy season in summer due to the african monsoon. The wet season refers to the rains and many areas are closed to travel during the rains due to inaccessibility. For game viewing the winter months provide the opportunity to see the. The shoulder season months are december, march and june. Within botswanas highly regulated tourism model, which has strict limits on visitor numbers, space during the dry season junoct is in great demand. Safaris to southern tanzania are great value for money and the dry season means reduced humidity and risk of malaria. How africa will be affected by climate change bbc news. In wet savannas the dry season typically lasts 3 to 5 months, in dry savannas 5 to 7 months, and in thornbush savannas it is even longer.
In south africa there is no animal that with the onset of cold weather would fall into hibernation. North west province the north west province is a summer rainfall region. Data shows that in africa the start of the dry season coincides with a rise in the cases of measleswhich researchers believe might be attributed to the higher concentration of people in the dry season, as agricultural operations are all but impossible without irrigation. Seasons in africa are opposite of north american seasons, so its autumn runs from march through may. If you want to really appreciate the country, its better to visit during the rainy season in ghana.
Zambia offers a genuinely wild african safari and the best walking safaris, and there arent too many months when the parks can operate at full tilt, so you have to take advantage of it when you can. The southern parts have one wet season and one dry season whereas east africa. The best time to visit victoria falls in africa usa today. This is the dry season and animals congregate around waterholes and rivers. Also, rainfall distribution in nigeria differs from the south to the north. The harmattan is a season in the west african subcontinent, which occurs between the end of november and the middle of march. The wet months offer lots of sunshine, and the rains are generally heavy but short. The south africa kruger regularly goes three months without any rain, from june to august, but averages 90 mm a month from december to february. Climate and average monthly weather in johannesburg gauteng. The best time to visit them is from may to september, during the dry season and winter, resulting in more moderate temperatures. The most captivating highlight of this area is undoubtedly the massive herds of migratory wildebeest and zebra during the dry season.
The area has an above average rainfall of 300 to 700 mm annually. Mild temperatures and classic dryseason game viewing make these months a. Winterdry season the climate in botswana is semiarid. The wet season lasts 5 to 6 months and lasts from december to march. Theres great biological activity in the reserves, beautiful green landscapes and panoramas. West african monsoon, a major wind system that affects west african regions between latitudes 9 and 20 n and is characterized by winds that blow southwesterly during warmer months and northeasterly during cooler months of the year. Oct 31, 2017 wherever you intend to safari in africa, youll want to go during the dry season. Sep 22, 2017 the limpopo province is situated on the northern tip of south africa. May and september are wonderful because it is less cold and, especially in september, the wildlife viewing is excellent.
The dry season in botswana runs from may to october, september and october are the driest and hottest months, while the months of june, july and partly august are the coldest months of the year. Oct 20, 2017 the dry season in florida is like coming up for air after swimming all summer. A brief guide to africas wet and dry seasons african safaris ltd. The summer months june to august constitute north africas driest season, and are characterized by almost nonexistent rainfall and skyhigh. Average daily high temperature is 73 degrees fahrenheit.
However, the north serengeti also supports an abundance of resident wildlife including lion, elephant, hippo, giraffe, crocodile and the rare oribi antelope. In this post, we will tell you about the months of the rainy season in nigeria. The country is crossed by equator so climate here is rather stable with minor seasonal changes. African safari guide africa rainy season safari seasons. The cost of a safari drops significantly in the green season, with savings frequently as much 25 percent less than the dry season, along with special green season offers. In wa west africa, the novapr period is known as the dry season, while humidity levels are still high. The southern parts have one wet season and one dry season whereas east africa will have the dry season but also have two wet seasons. Where gorilla travel is concerned, keep in mind that bwindi national park is a rain forest at considerable elevation and can be wet and cool at any time of year. Africa is the largest continent after asia, through which the hot climate zones, as well as the continent crosses the line of the equator. This is the best time to visit famous safari destinations like the serengeti and the maasai mara, although optimum gameviewing opportunities make it the most expensive time, too. The winds determine the onset of kenyas two rainy seasons, with the hot northeast monsoon or kaskazi blowing dry air in from the persian gulf from november to marchapril and the warm, moist kusi monsoon blowing in from the southeast from aprilmay to october. Uganda has a springlike climate year round and has a less obvious wet and dry season. Dry season safaris are enjoyed in relative peace and quiet, away from the bustling crowds that are expected in the northern circuit parks. October is also the start of the wet season in central africa and the dry season in west africa until may.
Best time for an african safari when to go on safari. Some areas of tropical wet and dry in the path of monsoon winds can receive incredible amounts of rain. Along the coast, theres a pause in the rainy season in august. Precipitation only falls during the summer months, usually from mayaugust with june and july having the heaviest rain.
Autumn from march to may, winter from june to august and spring from september to november. The rainy season lasts from may to september in the north, from april to october in the center, and from april to november in the south. But why do we say this, and what are the implications if you simply cannot come on safari at this time. Often, the rainy season is the most scenic time to visit africa s wild places, as it causes flowers to bloom and parched brush to turn green again. South africa officially the republic of south africa or abbreviated to rsa has always been one of the most beautiful places on the planet. During the dry winter months of april through early september, the days are warm, but the nights and early mornings can be very cold sometimes even near or below freezing. The whole dry season usually has less than 4 inches of rain. October to november is a shorter rainy season and its followed by a short dry season from december to february. Excellent for birds and animal viewing, though long grass may make some smaller species hard to see. The warmest months are between the month of march and may with a temperature of 40 degrees or higher in the northern part of the country, which is located in desert country. If we follow the traditional, european view that each season is three months long, summer is from december to february.
Sa is the 25thbiggest country on planet earth and the 24thmost populous one with a total of 56 million citizens. Trying to understand which month to safari to africa. In recent times, changing global weather patterns make transitions between rainy and dry seasons come and go unpredictably. If you want a quiet, relaxing safari, this is the best time to go to kenya.
Botswana is one of the top safari destinations in africa, with opportunities to enjoy an unforgettable safari throughout the year. Under the koppen climate classification, for tropical climates, a dry season month is defined as a month when average precipitation is below 60 millimetres 2. In the savanna climate there is a distinct dry season, which is in the winter. Everyone loves an east africa safari but to avoid rainswept beaches and. While june can still be quite wet, the other months are great for visiting wildlife and the maasai mara national reserve. The green season usually kicks off in about november with the first spring rains but it takes time for the water that has fallen in the angolan highlands to wend its way down to a series of massive gorges.
The greatest advantage of climbing at this time is that you can stay dry the entire time. During summer months, the heat is often interrupted by a short afternoon thunderstorm. We will provide cozy comforters to keep you warm during your stay. What is meant by the rainy season and why does it affect travel to africa in the way. This climate is cool in the winter and hot in the summer. The dry season lasts 5 to 6 months, usually from may to october. In addition, the okavango is flooded from june to october. Rwandas long rainy season lasts from about march to may, when the rain is heavy and persistent. This is the perfect month to visit pointe indienne and enjoy your stay at a beach lodge. Equatorial east africa kenya, tanzania, rwanda and uganda has its main dry season from june to october, with a secondary drier season from middecember to midmarch. This is a country where almost no end to the attractions you can see each person, as the variety of landscapes and activities here are limitless.
The rainy season starts to ease up as the dry season sets in for the beginning of a new year. In may, the best country to go on safari is probably zambia. The climate in benin, a small african country overlooking the gulf of guinea, is tropical, with a dry season in winter and a rainy season due to the african monsoon, which runs from may to september in the extreme north and from midmarch to october in the south. However, depending on your destination, the dry season has its own drawbacks, ranging from intense heat to severe drought. During december the country already starts to feel empty as most people travel out of the country for the holidays and so the country begins to feel less busy. Therefore, the climate in africa is hot and dry, which leads to the formation of deserts. These three months are considered to be rwenzoris low season, and many operators offer discounts during this time. In the tropical wet dry climate there is a distinct dry season, which is in the winter. During this time, some farmers move into cities, creating hubs of. Summer temperatures range between 22 and 34c and winter brings with it dry, sunny days and chilly nights. Including the best months, proscons, highlow seasons and the bestworst. The months january, february, march, october, november and december have a high chance of precipitation. Climate, climate change, the dry and wet seasons in west.
The coldest month is july with an average maximum temperature of 16c 39f. The other, drier parks are best to visit during, or just after, the wet season when fresh grasses attract wildlife. Furthermore, if youre a bit low on the budget, youll be happy to learn that this time of the year, tickets and hotel rooms are cheaper than ever. Two factors make african savannas different from those on five other continents. First, season of long rains lasts from april to june and the other one, season of short showers, is between october and december. In actual fact, however, based on the weather, the seasons in south africa are as follows. A brief overview of africas dry and rainy seasons tripsavvy. What are the different hardware that will be needed by producer of the voice mail the srvice provider and the beneficiary. It is characterized by the dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind, of the same name, which blows from the sahara desert over west africa into the gulf of guinea. With the location straddling the tropics safari africa s seasons are generally wet and dry. The area enjoys long sunny days and mostly dry weather.
An alternative subdivision recognizes savanna woodland, with trees and shrubs forming a light canopy. The best time to go to kenya weather and climate expert. Choosing whether to travel to botswana for a wet or dry season safari will very much depend on what you want to see and do during this time. It is also the best time of year for the best animal. In kruger national park, the winter dry season falls between may and october. Typically in southern africa, the safari season we recommend is the dry winter and spring months of june through to october.
East africa east africa s long dry season lasts from july to october, when the weather is defined by sunny, rainfree days. One of southern africa s biggest tourist attractions has seen an unprecedented decline this dry season, fuelling climate change fears. Best time for an african safari when to go on safari go2africa. The raining season in nigeria does not start in the same months in different parts of nigeria. Moremi, okavango and chobe are most popular and offer yearround wildlife viewing. The rest of southern africa is good as well though as the dry season is well on its.
Then from june to midseptember is the long dry season. For many countries in africa, the seasons do not follow the same pattern they do in. From april to september, the rain belt lies in the northern hemisphere, and the southern tropics have their dry season. In north africa, october is the start of the winter months and the cooler temps make this the ideal time for travelling to countries like morocco, egypt, tunisia and algeria. Dry season safaris in southern tanzania tanzania odyssey. March to may, winter from june to august and spring from september.
In east africa uganda, rwanda, kenya and tanzania the dry season is from. January is just after the festive season, so the parks are not crowded. Travel experts cedarberg africa answer the age old question of when the best safari season in southern africa is, and when not to go more often than not, the first question that comes to mind when planning a safari is, when is the best time to go. The best time to visit south africas parks is from may to september. The late summer months in kenya are the countrys dry season, with the exception of the mountains, which experience a more traditional four seasons. Dec 06, 2019 one of southern africas biggest tourist attractions has seen an unprecedented decline this dry season, fuelling climate change fears. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the masai mara in august and remains until october when they move back to the serengeti in tanzania.
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