Africa – Why You Should Safari in the Rainy Season?
Often people shy away from a safari during the ‘rainy’ season. In fact, the rains are thought of as a blessing in countries where drought can devastate lives.
I’ll explain why the rains can also be a blessing for the safari-goer, after the wonderful Ladysmith Black Mambazo…
Rain, Rain Beautiful Rain by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
East African Rains – Short and Long
East African Rains affect the countries of Kenya, and Northern Tanzania (note that the parks of southern Tanzania follow a more Southern Rainfall pattern of winter rains from November through to April)
Unlike southern Africa, East Africa has two rainy seasons – short and long.
Short Rains
The short rains traditionally come in November/early December, but in recent years have been late or not come at all. Outside of the busy main Christmas period this can be a really good time to visit to avoid crowds and enjoy low season rates.
Long Rains
The long rains traditionally come at the end of March through May, tailing off in early June. This is when the Wildebeest herds in Tanzania are usually quite hard to reach over to the west of the park.
During this time the roads can become very difficult to traverse when flooded with water or thick mud and rivers may break their banks making some roads impassible. Also, many lodges take the opportunity to close in April and May to give the staff a break.
However, the wildlife remains of course, and if you are prepared to be flexible there are actually some definite advantages to travel in the ‘Green Season’ as the safari camps euphemistically call it (see below).
South African Rains – November to May
In Southern Africa – Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Mozambique, Southern Tanzania and northern South Africa – the rains come once and correspond with the warm, wet summer of the southern hemisphere or the winter of the northern hemisphere. That is to say from November through until about May.
The rains don’t ‘start’ on the dot of 1st November, and neither do they just ‘stop’ at the end of May. They can vary year on year but generally start slowly with a few dark evenings and rumblings of thunder, then the odd thunderstorm with perhaps a week or so of dry weather again. Once they commence in earnest then the general pattern is clear, bright mornings as the heat builds. Then a late afternoon or evening storm, clearing again by morning.
This pattern is actually very conducive to wildlife viewing on morning game drives and the cloudier skies mean that it is a gentler time to travel – rather than in the high humidity and heat at the end of the dry season. A heat which those who aren’t used to it can find quite oppressive.
Green Season Secrets
What every Safari lover should know!
I have had many clients who prefer to travel during the rainy season, and there is good reason for this:
1. In the green season the colours are vibrant
The rain dampens the dusty soil making it clearer and fresher – great for photography and for enjoying the colours of the African bush, enhanced by the fact that many trees bloom and spring into life now.
2. In the green season new life is born
The rains bring fresh grass for the herbivores. The animals are healthy and sleek and colourful, with many birds in beautiful breeding plumage and many young are born at this time of year. During the peak dry season the drought finishes off many of the weaker animals and those that remain are thinner, less healthy looking and definitely just trying to survive on the little fodder that remains. The rains bring about a total transformation in the environment that changes all that.
In the deserts in particular the differences are particularly dramatic – flowers carpet the ground in the north-western Cape in an annual colour-fest! The Kalahari desert and salt pans of central Botswana spring into life and draw one of Africa’s greatest migrations – the Zebra migration.
3. Photography is great in the green season
Photographers love the green season! Clearer air with less dust and more cloud cover, softens the harsh African sunlight and makes for longer hours for photography, plus the benefits of the colours and sleek healthy animals mentioned above.
4. Prices are lower in the green season
Many people don’t stop to consider the benefits of travelling at a cooler, more colourful time and follow the advice to only travel in the dry season. Although they miss out on one of the best times to visit the African bush, it helps the rest of us who enjoy an African Safari at any time of the year as the prices drop quite dramatically during the green season.
5. Activities change in the green season
Other activities become available at this time – such as an incredible kayaking or boating safari on the Luangwa River in Zambia which is otherwise dry and dusty much of the time.
6. Birding is best in the green season
We’ve mentioned the breeding plumage above, but this is also the time when winter migrants visit from the northern hemisphere.
7. It’s Peaceful!
Did I remind you not to mention this to too many other people?
The fact is that a green season safari is far quieter, and those you do meet are likely to also be fellow serious safari goers. Forget about the hoards of “point ‘n clickers” – they usually avoid the green season!
And Finally!
Check out this incredible version of ‘Africa’ with improvised rain noise by the Angel City Chorale Massive Chore
Photography
All these wonderful pictures are from our trusted suppliers in Zambia, Malawi, and Botswana who have been promoting wonderful green season safaris for years now….
Read our clients’ blog about their fantastic green season safari to the Maasai Mara.
Ask us about out our Green Season Safari Specials for a vibrant, safari experience without the crowds…
