Where to go in July
The best places to explore at this time of year
The best places to explore at this time of year
Travel's greatest hits play with unapologetic splendour. The African bush crescendos into peak safari season with life-or-death drama around dwindling waterholes. The Great Migration reaches its heart-stopping climax at the Mara River—nature's high-wire act without a safety net. Bucket-list experiences justify both advance bookings and premium prices.
It’s peak season, but for good reason: July is Indonesia’s A-game. It’s the height of the dry season and pretty much perfection across the islands. Bali and Lombok are warm and breezy, ideal for surfing, temple-exploring, and jungle retreating, whilst over in Komodo, it’s one of the best times of year for spotting the iconic dragons and diving with manta rays. Java’s temples—Borobudur and Prambanan—veritably glow in the early light, and the volcano hikes are breathtaking.
July is peak season in the Andes, with dry, crisp days that are perfect for trekking and sightseeing. The Inca Trail, in particular, is at its best, with clear views and excellent trail conditions. In Cusco, the festivities continue with vibrant parades and cultural celebrations. Whether you’re hiking high-altitude trails or exploring local markets, Peru is radiant and full of energy in July.
It’s the cool season in the Galápagos, bringing fantastic underwater visibility and incredible marine life, from hammerheads to whale sharks and plenty of waddling penguins and sea lions. On land, it’s a great time to see the roaming giant tortoises. Mainland Ecuador is equally lovely at this time of year: the Andes are clear and crisp, Quito is humming with culture, and the Amazon offers excellent wildlife viewing in drier conditions.
The Great Migration is thundering across the Serengeti, with the river crossings at the Mara River in the north at their dramatic, heart-pounding best. Otherwise, the dry season sees the wildlife gathering in enormous numbers around the dwindling water sources, making for thrilling safaris across most of the country, including the wilder southern parks of Ruaha, Nyerere and Katavi. It’s also a good time of year to combine gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a safari in Tanzania.
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11 nights from $23,479 per person
10 nights from $18,038 per person
9 nights from $8,906 per person
14 nights from $14,114 per person
15 nights from $10,597 per person
12 nights from $29,578 per person
Namibrand, Namibia
