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
August is undoubtedly one of the best months to visit almost anywhere in Africa. Most countries are in the heart of the dry season, temperatures are pleasant, and the game viewing is, in one word, exceptional. In fact, you could close your eyes and pick almost anywhere across the continent for a fantastic safari, and the even better news is that most of the Indian Ocean islands are pretty dreamy at this time of year too. But we will tell you that it’s perhaps not the best time to visit Cape Town (it’s a bit rainy), or Chad (Zakouma National Park is closed).
Talk about Tanzania, and more often than not, someone will mention the Great Migration. The annual spectacle of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest thundering through the Serengeti on their age-old migration route is a sight to behold, and July is one of the prime months to see the beasties. By now, the ‘mobile’ migration camps are scattered throughout the northern plains of the Serengeti, offering an up-close-and-personal view of the herds as they prepare to cross the crocodile-infested Mara River. Try booking a couple of nights in a mobile camp, followed by a couple more in one of the permanent camps in the Lamai Wedge for a fabulous combination of the best of the Serengeti.
August is one of Mozambique's “coolest” months with daytime temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius (phew!), but cooling off in the evening. If you’re looking for a spot of beach time, Mozambique can be combined with almost any Southern African safari destination – and in fact, any East African country, just with an extra flight or two. August is an excellent time to see the migrating humpback whales as they move north to their breeding grounds, for diving and snorkelling, and for big game fishing, with plenty of sailfish, tuna and Giant king fish occupying the waters.
Congo is a dense, jungly sort of place, and when it’s hot, it’s VERY hot. And humid. June, July and August are therefore the ideal time to visit Odzala National Park. It’s the middle of the long dry season, temperatures are relatively cool (around 22 to 25 degrees Celsius in the middle of the day), and the humidity levels are low. Most importantly, you’ll be able to enjoy all the activities on offer, from gorilla trekking for the majestic Western lowland gorilla, to walking safaris, and boat and canoe trips. The Congo isn’t an easy place to travel in, but when you choose the right time of year with the ‘right’ weather, it’s brilliant, spell-binding, and not somewhere you’ll forget in a hurry.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
11 nights from $23,479 per person
12 nights from $29,578 per person
13 nights from $21,287 per person
13 nights from $13,657 per person
10 nights from $14,982 per person
9 nights from $13,689 per person
Namibrand, Namibia
