The Shoulder Season Safaris & Destinations
The safari shoulder season refers to the period between peak and low seasons. The shoulder season encompasses characteristics of both peak and low seasons. For instance, animal observation is typically superior during a shoulder season compared to a low season, and although precipitation may occur in the shoulder season, it is less than what is anticipated later.
The pricing indicate this. During peak season, one can anticipate elevated prices when embarking on a safari. Low season pricing exist for specific reasons, such as inclement weather, animal migration, or flooding. Shoulder season costs typically fall between peak and off-peak rates, offering premier places at discounted prices while minimising the likelihood of inclement weather or wildlife absence. Consider it the optimal balance between experience and expense.
Thus far, everything is satisfactory; however, the challenging aspect now is determining the timing of the shoulder seasons. Indeed, they vary based on their destination. Commence with southern Africa.
The Southern Africa Shoulder Season
The safari locations in southern Africa—Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa—exhibit a comparable climate, with vacation seasons structured accordingly. The peak season typically occurs from July to October, characterised by the driest conditions, warm temperatures (for part of the period), and optimal game viewing opportunities. The low season typically occurs from December to March, coinciding with the majority of annual rainfall. This leaves November, along with April, May, and June, as the shoulder seasons.
November is a noteworthy month. The rainy season has commenced, although it is unlikely to significantly impact your game viewing experience. The anticipated heavy rains have not yet arrived, but their promise has stimulated an explosion of greenery. As November transitions into December, tens of thousands of fawns are born, drawing predators such as lions and jackals. Migrant birds, like vibrant rollers and bee-eaters, arrive in November, while animal herds commence their migrations: zebras in Botswana, elephants in Zimbabwe, and wildebeest in Zambia.
The shoulder season of April, May, and June features a contrasting environment, as the rains conclude, nearly entirely by June. Temperatures are declining, hence increasing the danger of malaria. Southern Africa is experiencing aridity, prompting animals to return to the perennial waters of peak season locales; this period also coincides with the visual apex of Victoria Falls.
There is a necessity for expectation management. The November shoulder season aligns with the lowest water levels at both the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls, whereas the peak season from July to October is when thousands of elephants congregate at Botswana’s Chobe River. During the April and May shoulder season, water levels in the Okavango Delta are notably low; it is advisable to conduct research to choose safari camps situated near permanent water sources if one intends to engage in boating and canoeing during this period. In contrast, numerous Zambian hotels remain closed in April and May due to flooding from the summer rains.
The East African Shoulder Seasons
The safari locations of East Africa—Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda—are predominantly frequented for their distinctive wildlife experiences: the wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania, and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. The safari seasons correspond to the optimal months for the experience; during peak migration season, one encounters tens of thousands of wildebeest on the Serengeti plains, whilst low season indicates their absence. Peak season for gorilla trekking corresponds to the driest weather, whilst low season is characterised by significant rainfall.
What is the status of East Africa’s shoulder seasons? In the Masai Mara and Serengeti, prices are significantly influenced by the presence of wildebeest herds; nevertheless, Kenya and Tanzania often experience a shoulder season in January, February, and March, which occurs between their two wet seasons. This is an opportune period for a safari, particularly as it coincides with the antelope calving season. Locations like the Masai Mara and Serengeti offer consistent rewards throughout the year, allowing you to evade the congestion typical of peak season in sites such as the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.
In Uganda and Rwanda, the shoulder seasons for gorilla trekking are characterised by a transition between moderate and heavy rainfall, which significantly influences the difficulty of the jungle journey. June experiences drier conditions compared to the preceding months, however it remains less arid and costly than July and August. December is also less favourable for gorilla trekking compared to January and February; but, it is sufficiently comparable, and securing trekking permits is likely to be more manageable.
