Where to go in August
The best places to explore at this time of year
The best places to explore at this time of year
The perfect collision of wildlife spectacles and dry-season perfection. Kenya's Mara River delivers heart-stopping wildebeest drama daily, while Namibia's otherworldly landscapes showcase desert-adapted wildlife against surreal backdrops. Japan erupts with summer festivals and fireworks, while Indonesia's volcanic landscapes bask in sun-drenched glory. The Maldives offers perfect diving conditions despite it being monsoon season elsewhere in the region.
The landscapes are stark and stunning in Namibia in August. In the Namib Desert, sunrise over the towering dunes of Sossusvlei is a surreal sight, while the salt pans and waterholes in Etosha National Park are magnets for wildlife, drawing elephants, lions, and endangered black rhinos in incredible numbers. Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast are at their stark and dramatic best, but the weather is still dry and mild before the intense heat of the summer kicks in.
Still basking in perfect dry-season weather, Indonesia continues to dazzle in August. Komodo is in peak wildlife time, with the added bonus of incredible diving and sailing, while Bali’s beach scene buzzes with life, as do the inland areas. Java’s landscapes are lush but dry, and there’s no better time to explore Borobudur or hike the many volcanoes at sunrise. This is high season at its most harmonious.
The Masai Mara is electric in August. The Great Migration is in full swing, with wildebeest and zebra spilling across the Mara River and onto the plains, an array of predators hot on their heels. The dry conditions make wildlife viewing spectacular, and the landscapes are golden and cinematic. It’s also a good time to visit the private conservancies in Laikipia for walking safaris and exclusive rhino conservation experiences. Otherwise, escape to the coast. Lamu and Diani are dry and sunny, with warm seas and a laid-back Swahili charm that’s hard to beat.
Southeast Asia in August can be tricky, but Vietnam’s central coast is a sunny outlier. Hoi An, Hue, and Da Nang enjoy dry skies and calm seas, perfect for beach days and cultural excursions. In the north, around Sapa, it can be misty with a little rain around, but if you prefer cooler conditions, it’s great for hiking. Conversely, the south is quite humid, but still very doable if you would like to combine all three regions.
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Namibrand, Namibia
