When to Go
The right month depends on what you want to see. Here is how we plan private safaris through the year, from Nairobi.
Luxury and ultra luxury safaris in the Maasai Mara, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Volcanoes National Park, with island escapes to Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius
All year round. A well planned luxury safari in East Africa has no off season, only different highlights, so the best month depends on what you want to see. The Great Migration river crossings fill the Maasai Mara from July to October. Calving season brings newborns to the southern Serengeti from January to March. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is easiest from June to September and December to February. April, May and November bring green landscapes, quiet private conservancies and the best value at ultra luxury lodges. And every month pairs with an island: Zanzibar, the Seychelles or Mauritius.
Written by Abner Ongeri, Founder, from Karen, Nairobi. Updated September 2026.
| Experience | Best months | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Great Migration river crossings | July to October | Maasai Mara and the northern Serengeti |
| Wildebeest calving season | January to March | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu |
| Gorilla trekking | June to September, December to February | Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda |
| Big cats and resident wildlife | All year | Maasai Mara conservancies and Ngorongoro Crater |
| Safari and island escape | All year, by island | Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius |
| Honeymoon safari | All year | Private conservancies, Mnemba Island and the Seychelles |
| Green season luxury at its best value | April, May and November | Kenya and Tanzania |
| Family safaris in school holidays | July, August and December | Maasai Mara conservancies and Laikipia |
Every month brings its own luxury safari moment. Choose one on the wheel to see why it matters and where we would take you.
January
The short rains have passed, the plains are green, and the great herds settle in the southern Serengeti to give birth.
Southern Serengeti and Ndutu
Laikipia, Kenya
ZanzibarFebruary
Calving reaches its height, with thousands of calves born each day on the short grass plains.
Southern Serengeti and Ndutu
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Amboseli, KenyaMarch
The last dry weeks before the long rains, with calving herds still in the south and quieter camps everywhere.
Southern Serengeti
Maasai MaraLaikipia, KenyaApril
The long rains bring lush landscapes, dramatic skies, newborn antelope and migrant birds.
Maasai Mara conservancies
Ngorongoro Crater
SeychellesMay
Green season continues, with long private sightings and quiet roads.
Maasai MaraLaikipia, Kenya
MauritiusJune
The dry season begins in Rwanda and the trails firm up, while in Tanzania the herds gather in the western Serengeti.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Western Serengeti and GrumetiMaasai MaraJuly
The great columns of wildebeest and zebra move north into Kenya's Maasai Mara.
Maasai Mara conservancies
Northern SerengetiVolcanoes National Park, RwandaAugust
Crossings on the Mara River are often at their most frequent.
Northern SerengetiMaasai MaraZanzibarSeptember
The herds spread across the Mara, the grass is short and golden, and big cats are easy to follow.
Maasai Mara conservanciesNorthern SerengetiLaikipia, KenyaOctober
Many herds linger in the Mara while others begin to turn south, and the landscape softens.
Maasai MaraNorthern SerengetiSeychellesNovember
The short rains return, the hills turn green, and the migration moves back into the Serengeti.
SerengetiLaikipia, KenyaMauritiusDecember
Warm days and green plains, with the herds arriving in the southern Serengeti and the Indian Ocean at its loveliest.
Southern SerengetiMaasai Mara
Mnemba Island, Zanzibar01 / 12
Newborns on the plains
The short rains have passed, the plains are green, and the great herds settle in the southern Serengeti to give birth.
It is one of the most dramatic and least crowded times in Tanzania, with predators close to the herds, and warm, dry days in Kenya too.
Southern Serengeti and NdutuThe calving grounds, alive with new lifeLaikipia, KenyaDry, warm and quiet private conservanciesZanzibarCalm seas for a few days on the beach02 / 12
Where the cats follow
Calving reaches its height, with thousands of calves born each day on the short grass plains.
Lion, cheetah and hyena gather around the herds, so sightings are intense. It is also a dry, clear month for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Southern Serengeti and NdutuPredators working the calving herdsVolcanoes National Park, RwandaDrier trails for gorilla trekkingAmboseli, KenyaElephants beneath a clear Kilimanjaro
03 / 12
Soft light, open plains
The last dry weeks before the long rains, with calving herds still in the south and quieter camps everywhere.
A month that rewards flexible travellers: good wildlife, fewer vehicles and gentler rates before April.
Southern SerengetiThe herds still on the southern plainsMaasai MaraResident lions and cheetahs, few vehiclesLaikipia, KenyaWalking safaris and rhino tracking04 / 12
The land turns green
The long rains bring lush landscapes, dramatic skies, newborn antelope and migrant birds.
This is when rates are at their most generous. Showers usually fall later in the day, which leaves the mornings for game drives, and the camps that stay open feel wonderfully private.
Maasai Mara conservanciesGreen plains and resident predatorsNgorongoro CraterWildlife in the crater all year roundSeychellesCalm, clear seas between the trade winds
05 / 12
The Mara, unhurried
Green season continues, with long private sightings and quiet roads.
Ideal for a slower, more private safari, and for photographers who love stormy light. Rates remain at their lowest.
Maasai MaraLong sightings with barely another vehicleLaikipia, KenyaCool, green highlands and conservanciesMauritiusCooler, drier days on the lagoons begin
06 / 12
Gorillas in the dry season
The dry season begins in Rwanda and the trails firm up, while in Tanzania the herds gather in the western Serengeti.
One of our favourite months to pair gorillas in Rwanda with a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, before the busiest weeks begin.
Volcanoes National Park, RwandaGorilla and golden monkey trekkingWestern Serengeti and GrumetiThe herds gathering by the riverMaasai MaraQuiet weeks before the herds arrive07 / 12
The herds reach the Mara
The great columns of wildebeest and zebra move north into Kenya's Maasai Mara.
We favour the private conservancies beside the reserve, where vehicle numbers are limited and off road and night drives are allowed.
Maasai Mara conservanciesThe herds, with space to enjoy themNorthern SerengetiThe first river crossings in TanzaniaVolcanoes National Park, RwandaDry season gorilla trekking
08 / 12
Drama at the river
Crossings on the Mara River are often at their most frequent.
Patience wins at the river. Our guides read the herds and position you early, away from the crowds, in a private vehicle.
Northern SerengetiThe Mara River from the Tanzanian sideMaasai MaraCrossings and big cat sightingsZanzibarDry, sunny days for the beach after09 / 12
Golden days in the conservancies
The herds spread across the Mara, the grass is short and golden, and big cats are easy to follow.
A lovely month for families and first timers who want the migration with a little more space.
Maasai Mara conservanciesFamilies, big cats and golden lightNorthern SerengetiHerds still on the moveLaikipia, KenyaRhino, elephant and cool evenings
10 / 12
The Mara, gently
Many herds linger in the Mara while others begin to turn south, and the landscape softens.
Crossings can still happen, with fewer visitors and calmer camps. It is a quiet favourite of ours.
Maasai MaraThe last of the herds, calmer campsNorthern SerengetiLate crossings on the Mara RiverSeychellesCalm seas return, ideal for diving
11 / 12
The herds turn south
The short rains return, the hills turn green, and the migration moves back into the Serengeti.
Excellent value before the festive season, with soft light and some of the year's best birding as migrant birds arrive.
SerengetiThe herds on their way southLaikipia, KenyaGreen hills and quiet conservanciesMauritiusWarm, sunny weeks by the lagoon12 / 12
Safari, then the sea
Warm days and green plains, with the herds arriving in the southern Serengeti and the Indian Ocean at its loveliest.
The perfect festive pairing: a few nights on safari, then a private island. The festive weeks fill quickly, so we plan these first.
Southern SerengetiThe herds returning to the short grassMaasai MaraFestive days with resident predatorsMnemba Island, ZanzibarA private island to finish
Best timeAll year, with the migration from July to October
Luxury safaris run all year. The herds reach the Maasai Mara from July to October, green season brings private sightings and the best value, and Amboseli shows Kilimanjaro at its clearest in the dry months.
Explore Kenya
Best timeAll year, following the migration
The migration moves through the Serengeti all year: calving in the south from January to March, the west around June, and the north from July to October. Ngorongoro is rewarding in every month.
Explore Tanzania
Best timeAll year, easiest June to September and December to February
Gorilla trekking runs all year, and the drier months make the trails easier. Permits are limited each day, so we book them early.
Explore Rwanda
Best timeAll year, sunniest June to October and December to February
Private islands and barefoot luxury, a natural finale to a Tanzania safari. The long rains usually fall in April and May.
Explore Zanzibar
Best timeAll year, calmest in April, May, October and November
Private island resorts and powder white beaches, with the calmest, clearest seas between the trade winds. A beautiful finale after Kenya.
Explore Seychelles
Best timeAll year, driest from May to December
Ultra luxury resorts, turquoise lagoons and fine dining, with cooler, drier days from May and warm, sunny weeks from October.
Explore MauritiusStraight answers from our team in Nairobi. For your own dates, one of our experts will reply the same day.
1-888-502-0560 Toll free, US & Canada Speak to an ExpertYes. There is no bad month for a well planned luxury safari in East Africa, only different highlights. We match the month to what you want to see, choose the lodges and private conservancies that shine that season, and fly you between them by private charter.
Every month works in Kenya. July to October brings the Great Migration to the Maasai Mara, with crossings often most frequent in August and September. January to March offers dry, quiet weeks, and April, May and November bring green landscapes and the best value at ultra luxury camps.
The herds usually arrive in the Maasai Mara in July and stay until October, with river crossings on the Mara River often most frequent in August and September. Timing shifts a little each year with the rains.
Calving happens in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu from January to March, with the peak usually in February, when thousands of calves are born each day and predators gather close by.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park runs all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, make the trails easier. Permits are limited, so we recommend booking 9 to 12 months ahead.
Yes, for many travellers. In April, May and November the landscapes are green, the camps are quiet and the rates are at their best. Showers often fall later in the day, leaving the mornings for game drives.
June to October and December to February are ideal, with warm, sunny days on the coast. A safari in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti followed by a few nights in Zanzibar works beautifully in these months.
July, August and December suit school holidays and good wildlife. We plan family safaris with private vehicles and family suites, often in the Maasai Mara conservancies or Laikipia, where age rules are more flexible.
April, May and early November usually offer the best rates at luxury and ultra luxury lodges, as this is green season. Some camps close for a few weeks, and those that stay open often include special offers, such as extra nights at no cost.
Both work all year. The Seychelles has its calmest, clearest seas in April, May, October and November, and Mauritius is driest from May to December. Zanzibar is sunniest from June to October and December to February, and pairs naturally with Tanzania.
December pairs a safari with an island. The herds return to the southern Serengeti, the Maasai Mara has excellent resident wildlife, and Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius are warm and sunny for the festive season.
For July to October, the festive season and gorilla trekking, we suggest 9 to 12 months ahead. For other months, 3 to 6 months is usually enough. Speak to an expert on 1-888-502-0560 to check availability.
Share your dates and what you hope to see. A designer in Nairobi will send your first route within 24 hours.
Browse our signature journeys, or explore Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zanzibar, the Seychelles and Mauritius.