2011 Safari Calendar | 2012 Safari Calendar | 2013 Safari Calendar

This is the summer season in East Africa. Temperatures are pleasant with an average high of 28C and an average low of 15C. The rains from early November to late March are usually scattered and localised and do not last for more than a few hours. However, there is a risk of heavier rain in late March.
 

Lake Nakuru National Park.

Kenya's birdlife flocks to the Rift Valley lakes in the greatest numbers in January and February and it is the best time of the year to do a birding safari. Flamingos assemble at Lake Nakuru in their millions and the pink mass they create is a natural spectacle.
  

Serengeti National Park.

The rains that begin in mid November are the signal for the great wildebeest migration into the plains of the South Serengeti and the northern Ngorongoro. The Eastern Plains of the Serengeti come to life and offer excellent game viewing for some species of animals. The Gol Kopjes boasts the highest concentrations of cheetahs in Africa during this time while the eastern plains are the main wet season range of the Giant Eland migration. You may also find large clans of hyenas there.
  

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda.

The best time to go Gorilla trekking is late December to early March, as the weather at this time of year is generally dry in Uganda and Rwanda (although rain falls in Uganda throughout the year). The next best option is to go between June and August. It would be unwise to attempt a trek during and shortly after the rainy seasons, which are from March to May and in early September, although this is when the countryside is at its most scenic.
 

Zanzibar.

The coolest and driest time to visit Zanzibar is between late June and October, but this is also when the island is at is busiest and accommodation rates and air fares are at their peak. We recommend you try the island between late December and early March. Temperatures are a little bit higher, but there are fewer tourists.
 

Wildebeests Migration: December to March.

The life giving rains that generally begin in mid November and last through early May trigger the great wildebeest migration into the plains of the South Serengeti and the northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

If they had a choice, the wildebeest would want to be in the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti all year round. This is where they give birth to their young when the plains are lush and green following the short rains.

The calving season usually begins towards the end of January. Members of the vast wildebeest herd give birth more or less simultaneously. This is usually over a period of three weeks sometime between January and March when optimum grazing is available on the short grass plains. The peak of the calving usually takes place during the first two weeks in February or sometimes the second and third week of February. The exact timing is heavily dependent upon rainfall.

Within a relatively short space of time, several hundred thousand calves will be born and this is where you will see much of the dramatic predator action. You can expect to see thousands of wildebeest calves, from a few hours to a few days old. It is also very likely that you could witness an actual birth. Unlike most other antelope, wildebeest do not hide their young, but encourage them to get on their feet and join the herds where there is safety in numbers.
 

 Mbango Safaris have experience of operating tours in East Africa & Beyond. Contact us for friendly travel advice

Safari Destinations | Conservation | General Info | Booking Terms | Links | Photo Gallery | Tour Reports | News

 
Mbango Safaris East Africa Ltd, Lang'ata Shopping Mall, Lang'ata Court Road, P.O. Box 8914 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: 00 254 20 - 600 14 54, 221 23 54, 211 24 33 / 4. Cellphone: 00 254 - 722 524 987, 733 681 240.
Fax: 00 254 - 20 600 14 53, 222 93 54. Facebook, Skype, MSN, Yahoo messenger ID: mbangosafaris.
E-mail: info@mbangosafaris.com, safaris@mbangosafaris.com

Member of: East Africa Natural History Society, East Africa Wildlife Society, Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association,
Kenya Association of Tour Operators, Kenya Tourism Federation, Kenya Museum Society and Eco-tourism Society of Kenya.

© 2004 - 2011 Mbango Safaris East Africa Ltd.