Is green season the same as rainy season?

Yes, green season is usually rainy season. However, rain usually falls in short afternoon bursts rather than constant downpours and can be a dramatic highlight of the day, with thunder and lightning. Much of the day remains warm and clear, with short showers adding some welcome, cooling relief.

Is it worth going on safari in green season?

Absolutely, especially if you’re a seasoned safari-goer or a keen photographer. Many repeat travellers and safari guides actually rate it as the best season for a safari due to the birding, predator behaviour, photographic opportunities, and a quieter, more exclusive atmosphere.

Will I still see wildlife during green season?

Yes, although wildlife is more dispersed than in dry season, sightings are still good. Things to look forward to include newborn animals and interesting predator activity, as well as migratory birds and even smaller creatures and critters, following phenomena like the seasonal termite irruptions .

Are roads accessible during the rainy season?

Rain and inundation conditions due to seasonal rains mean our camp operations in areas like Kafue (Zambia) and Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) are paused during green season. However, in Botswana, and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, our camps are easily reached, and game drives proceed as normal.

What animals give birth during green season?

Impala, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, and many other herbivores time births with green season due to the abundance of nutrient-rich grazing after rains. This influx of vulnerable young animals also draws in predators to various areas.

Are there more predators during green season?

Predator numbers do not necessarily increase, but predator activity often intensifies around calving and lambing periods, as lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs target vulnerable young animals and the chance of seeing a chase or a kill can be higher.

Is green season cheaper than peak season?

Green season often offers better value, with lower rates at many premium safari camps. You may also be able to take advantage of seasonal offers like free inter-camp flights, allowing access to longer itineraries and more high-end safari experiences, with greater availability and fewer crowds.

What should I pack for a green season safari?

Lightweight neutral clothing, a waterproof jacket, quick-dry layers, and protection for camera gear are essential. Don’t forget a swimming costume so you can take advantage of the camp pool on warm and humid days and some warmer layers for early mornings and late evenings which can be chilly.

Are mosquitoes worse in green season?

Mosquito activity can increase after rains, particularly near standing water. We do suggest that you take preventative measures, using repellent, covering your arms and legs in the evening, and follow recommended malaria precautions as advised by your doctor or Travel Clinic.

When is the best time for water-based safaris?

In destinations like Botswana’s Linyanti and Wilderness Toka Leya on the Zambezi River, year-round water offers excellent boating. Mokoro opportunities are available at select Delta camps year-round, and Mana Pools and Kafue offer boating when our camps reopen late in the green season.

What are the advantages of fewer tourists?

Fewer travellers mean quieter sightings, more flexibility in terms of game drives and activity timing, and increased privacy. Green season can give you a much more intimate, personal and immersive safari experience.

How far in advance should I book green season travel?

Planning 6 to 12 months ahead offers the best choice of camps, especially if you’re travelling as a group, as our more intimate camps accommodate limited numbers. It’s also advisable to book well in advance for Serengeti calving season, especially if you want to travel in January or February.

Africa’s best kept secret

Green season safaris

Home Safari Green season safaris

When Southern Africa comes alive

From November to March, Southern Africa awakens. The wild turns green, baby animals abound, cinematic skies roll in, migratory birds bring vibrant colours, and fewer people mean more exclusivity. For those in-the-know travellers who venture here when the rest of the world settles into winter, your reward comes in colour, in space, in privacy.

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What to expect in green season

At a time when familiar holiday scenes play out across ski resorts, city streets and coastlines, another kind of festive season unfolds in Africa. Rain cools the earth after hot afternoons. Newborn antelope stumble beside their mothers. Dinner is served beneath storm-cleared skies in camps so remote you forget the rest of the world exists at all.

Newborn wildlife

A vibrant landscape

The emergence

Migratory birds

The experience

Newborn wildlife

Watch impala lambing in Botswana, and kudu calves being born in Zimbabwe. The Serengeti in East Africa welcomes a host of new wildebeest and zebra foals; in fact, 9,000 animals can be born in a single day here between January and March. This draws in predators but also ensures survival, as the big cats simply cannot target all the vulnerable newborns at once.

A vibrant landscape

Green season offers the potential for spectacular cloud formations, explosive thunderstorms, and dramatic skies, making it a favoured safari time for photographers. With the air charged and carrying the unmistakable smell of petrichor as rain meets soil, it is an all-encompassing safari for the senses.

The emergence

Perhaps more subtle, but equally important, is the emergence of millions of flying termites after the rains. These mass termite irruptions offer a seasonal feast and source of protein for many animals, particularly birds like barn swallows, bee-eaters, rollers, lesser kestrels, yellow-billed kites and tawny eagles, all of which can be seen in great numbers.

Migratory birds

For photographers and birders alike, witnessing the aerial ballets of the termite emergence is truly special. Add to this, seasonal migratory birds such as brightly-coloured southern carmine bee-eaters and the distinctive orange-billed African skimmers, as well as the woodland kingfisher, known for its striking beauty and legendary call, and you have a true birding paradise.

The experience

Green season marks summer in the southern hemisphere, offering a warm escape from winter's grip up north. Daytime temperatures are hot, exceeding 30°C, and there is plenty of sunshine, making it perfect for relaxing by the pool at siesta time. Many of our camps offer private plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, and wellness areas, so you can relax in sublime comfort during the midday heat.

Discover our safari spa offerings

Newborn wildlife

Watch impala lambing in Botswana, and kudu calves being born in Zimbabwe. The Serengeti in East Africa welcomes a host of new wildebeest and zebra foals; in fact, 9,000 animals can be born in a single day here between January and March. This draws in predators but also ensures survival, as the big cats simply cannot target all the vulnerable newborns at once.

A vibrant landscape

Green season offers the potential for spectacular cloud formations, explosive thunderstorms, and dramatic skies, making it a favoured safari time for photographers. With the air charged and carrying the unmistakable smell of petrichor as rain meets soil, it is an all-encompassing safari for the senses.

The emergence

Perhaps more subtle, but equally important, is the emergence of millions of flying termites after the rains. These mass termite irruptions offer a seasonal feast and source of protein for many animals, particularly birds like barn swallows, bee-eaters, rollers, lesser kestrels, yellow-billed kites and tawny eagles, all of which can be seen in great numbers.

Migratory birds

For photographers and birders alike, witnessing the aerial ballets of the termite emergence is truly special. Add to this, seasonal migratory birds such as brightly-coloured southern carmine bee-eaters and the distinctive orange-billed African skimmers, as well as the woodland kingfisher, known for its striking beauty and legendary call, and you have a true birding paradise.

The experience

Green season marks summer in the southern hemisphere, offering a warm escape from winter's grip up north. Daytime temperatures are hot, exceeding 30°C, and there is plenty of sunshine, making it perfect for relaxing by the pool at siesta time. Many of our camps offer private plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, and wellness areas, so you can relax in sublime comfort during the midday heat.

Discover our safari spa offerings

When is green season?

Green season encompasses the summer months (November – March) in Southern Africa when rains transform dry landscapes into vibrant green. While our Kafue and Mana Pools camps only open annually during the dry season (April – October), Botswana and Zimbabwe offer year-round safaris. This also coincides with Serengeti’s calving season from January–March, when thousands of wildebeest and other ungulates are born.

Safari seasons by month

Wildlife highlights across Botswana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe

Month	Botswana	Tanzania	Zimbabwe
November	The first major thunderstorms arrive in the Okavango and Linyanti. Impala lambing peaks, bringing a surge in predator activity as wild dogs and lions target vulnerable newborns. One of the best months for migratory birds.	Short rains begin across the Serengeti ecosystem. Wildebeest move south towards nutrient-rich plains while antelope species begin birthing as fresh grazing emerges.	The bush transforms after the first rains. Impala and kudu lambing creates abundant prey for predators, while elephants disperse from permanent water. Devil’s Pool on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls remains accessible.
December	Fresh grazing sparks numerous antelope births. Zebra foals appear and migration activity increases across the Mababe plains.	Southern Serengeti fills with wildebeest preparing for calving. Lake Manyara's algae blooms attract spectacular flamingo concentrations.	Surface water is more available in Hwange, reducing dependence on pumped waterholes. Birdlife peaks with migrant arrivals and many species give birth.
January	Migratory birds add brilliant colour. Termite hatches create feeding frenzies and fewer crowds make for an exceptional safari experience.	Serengeti calving season begins. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves trigger intense predator interactions with lions, cheetahs and hyenas.	Green season is in full swing. Buffalo spread across wider grazing areas while predator activity centres around newborn antelope.
February	Peak green season. Zebra gather at Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi while predators target young antelope throughout the Okavango and Linyanti.	Peak wildebeest calving season. Thousands of daily births create outstanding opportunities to witness cheetah hunting behaviour.	The landscape is at its most verdant. Young herbivores face constant predator pressure while wetlands teem with birdlife.
March	Green season draws to a close. Afternoon showers continue and the first signs of the annual Okavango inundation may appear.	Herds begin gathering for their northern movement. Fewer visitors and open grasslands create a more intimate Serengeti experience.	Excellent for privacy and exclusivity. Afternoon storms create dramatic photographic conditions while the Victoria Falls is in powerful flow.
April	Shoulder season begins. The impala rut starts and seasonal floodwaters create more boating opportunities in the Okavango Delta.	One of the wetter months. Dramatic skies, breeding plumage and the last Palearctic migrants offer excellent birding and photography.	Cooler nights arrive and wildlife begins concentrating around reliable water sources. Excellent walking opportunities emerge in Mana Pools.

The best time for photography on safari

For repeat safari-goers and photographers, green season offers a rewarding experience. Cloudy, moody skies create an atmosphere that is hard to replicate in the dry season. Standing water offers an opportunity for reflections while wobbly-legged calves and predator action creates an array of subjects. Brightly-coloured birds and bright green grasses also create natural vibrancy and contrast.

Learn more about photography on safari

Iconic Kenya safari open floodplains with zebra crossing

East Africa’s calving season

While the green season in Southern Africa transforms vast swathes of land, East Africa’s calving season is far more concentrated. From January to March, the southern plains of the Serengeti become the stage for one of the densest wildlife events on Earth, as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born within an astonishingly short window (about 500,000 newborns in a couple months). A wildebeest calf must stand within minutes, and be capable of running with the herd within roughly 24 to 48 hours, as they are extremely vulnerable to predators. Naturally this mass calving draws in lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and vultures, in what is a true battle for survival.

Explore East Africa with Wilderness

Book your green season safari

Green season opens up some of Africa’s most rewarding safari combinations. Pair the wild beauty of Zimbabwe’s Hwange with Victoria Falls. Combine Botswana with the restaurants, the Winelands, and coastal charm of Cape Town. Or experience the intensity of Tanzania’s calving season before unwinding on a Zanzibar beach. No matter where you decide to go, we can take you there.

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Safari with Wilderness in green season

Each destination offers a different green season experience. In Botswana and Zimbabwe, summer rains disperse wildlife across productive landscapes with a focus on new life, birds and predators. In Tanzania rains trigger one of the Africa's most important ecological events. Namibia is hot with the occasional greening of land and in northern Zambia, camps pause operations as the wild regenerates.

Botswana

Tanzania

Zimbabwe

Zambia

Namibia

Botswana

The Linyanti and Okavango Delta are transformed into an emerald paradise. While thunderstorms are common, water levels are at their lowest in the Delta, as this system is influenced by the seasonal inflow arriving from the Angolan highlands.

Discover Botswana

Tanzania

A different side of the migration can be seen, away from the dramatic river crossings that often dominate headlines. Wilderness Usawa Serengeti moves to the southern plains where vast open landscapes provide the stage for calving season.

Discover Tanzania

Zimbabwe

While our Mana Pools’ camps only operate during the southern hemisphere’s dry season, this is a great time to combine a safari in uncrowded Hwange with a visit to the Victoria Falls, which reach peak flow towards the end of summer.

Discover Zimbabwe

Zambia

In Kafue’s Busanga Plains, safaris are run outside of green season, and our camps reopen once conditions are best for travel and wildlife viewing. However, Toka Leya near Victoria Falls offers an unbeatable birding and boating experience all year round.

Discover Zambia

Namibia

Irregular seasonal rains can transform Namibia’s arid landscapes into striking seas of green. With hot daytime temperatures, it offers the perfect escape from the northern hemisphere winter and pairs easily with a city or Winelands stay in South Africa.

Discover Namibia

Botswana

The Linyanti and Okavango Delta are transformed into an emerald paradise. While thunderstorms are common, water levels are at their lowest in the Delta, as this system is influenced by the seasonal inflow arriving from the Angolan highlands.

Discover Botswana

Tanzania

A different side of the migration can be seen, away from the dramatic river crossings that often dominate headlines. Wilderness Usawa Serengeti moves to the southern plains where vast open landscapes provide the stage for calving season.

Discover Tanzania

Zimbabwe

While our Mana Pools’ camps only operate during the southern hemisphere’s dry season, this is a great time to combine a safari in uncrowded Hwange with a visit to the Victoria Falls, which reach peak flow towards the end of summer.

Discover Zimbabwe

Zambia

In Kafue’s Busanga Plains, safaris are run outside of green season, and our camps reopen once conditions are best for travel and wildlife viewing. However, Toka Leya near Victoria Falls offers an unbeatable birding and boating experience all year round.

Discover Zambia

Namibia

Irregular seasonal rains can transform Namibia’s arid landscapes into striking seas of green. With hot daytime temperatures, it offers the perfect escape from the northern hemisphere winter and pairs easily with a city or Winelands stay in South Africa.

Discover Namibia

10 reasons to choose a green season safari

Peak safari season is typically from May to October – the dry months in the southern hemisphere – when the bush thins and wildlife becomes easier to see and often more predictable, congregating around known water sources. Green season offers a very different safari experience to these months, with changing landscapes, dramatic weather, newborn wildlife, and a quieter atmosphere in camp.

Why travel during green season?

Discover the unique advantages of Africa's most rewarding safari season

Green season benefit	Why it matters
Fewer travellers	Many safari areas feel quieter and more exclusive, with fewer vehicles at sightings and a greater sense of privacy both on safari and in camp.
Exceptional photography	Post-rain light, dramatic storm clouds, saturated landscapes and reflective water create some of Africa's most atmospheric safari photography conditions.
Newborn wildlife	Antelope lambing in Southern Africa and the Serengeti's famous wildebeest calving season create unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Predator behaviour	The abundance of vulnerable young prey leads to increased predator activity, improving your chances of witnessing dramatic hunts and predator interactions.
Lush landscapes	Dry winter bush transforms into vibrant green wilderness, with flowering plants, fresh grasses and beautiful seasonal contrasts.
Outstanding birding	Migratory birds arrive across Southern and East Africa, while many resident species display striking breeding plumage.
Longer days	Earlier sunrises and later sunsets allow for extended game drives and more time to enjoy camp life between activities.
Excellent value	Green season often offers lower rates than peak dry-season months, making premium camps and longer itineraries more accessible.
Warm weather	Hot days are perfect for enjoying camp pools, while afternoon thunderstorms cool the landscape and create dramatic safari moments.
Seasonal activities	Higher water levels in destinations such as the Linyanti and Victoria Falls regions create particularly rewarding boating and water-based safari experiences.

Is green season right for you?

For photographers green season is one of the most rewarding times to travel, while returning safari travellers also tend to love this time of year because it reveals a different side of Africa. That said, if it’s your first-time on safari and your priority is consistently easy game viewing, then the classic dry season safari may suit you better. Vegetation during green season is thicker, wildlife is more dispersed, and sightings can require more patience and trust, but are often epic when they occur. If you’re willing to trade absolute game density for atmosphere, exclusivity and photography, then green season is a great time to go on safari.