Where To Go On Safari Holiday During November
November is a month celebrated by true Africa hands. It is often dismissed for being too hot in the south, and too wet in the east. Wrong wrong wrong! True, November marks a turn of seasons in Southern Africa: the dramatic build-up of heat and the start of the rains: afternoon thunder and lightening and if you’re lucky, life-saving rain. In Kenya and Tanzania this is the season of the short rains.
In a continent as arid as Africa, no prayer forgets to include the hope of rain, and when it does come, what a miraculous sight! Weather patterns the world over are hard to predict, but recent years in Africa seem to purposefully contradict the norm. Mid November should see the clouds burst, the build up to this point is the pinnacle of theatre in the bush, the congregation of game around surface water is never greater, competition for space, heat, dust, dehydration, drama and death!
More animals, fewer people
When it comes, rain brings life, it settles the dust, freshens the air, fills the waterholes. November is often referred to as the ‘emerald’ season, a reference to the vivid lushness of the bush, we call it the secret season. Typically a time of year with fewer safari visitors. It nestles between the peak periods, outside of school holidays - lodges drop their rates, often dramatically, and those travelling at this time of year are in for a glut of mind-blowing, crowd-free wildlife spectaculars!
East Africa
Witness wildlife reacting to the changing environment. Head to the Serengeti to see the Great Migration thunder its way back south to feast on the new grazing. The waterholes of Katavi National Park are a heaving, writhing mass of hippos and crocs which disperse with the first rainfall. The tan hides of big cats stand out boldly against the green hills across Kenya. The Maasai Mara settles back into its calmer daily routine, without the migration chasing hoards, but with incredible resident wildlife and all the space to enjoy it.
Southern Africa
Down south, it’s time to celebrate for all photographers, Zambia’s South Luangwa doesn’t get more beautiful or dramatic than this – from leopards stalking thirsty prey on the river bank, to the arrival of tens of thousands of flying migrants. The zebra and wildebeest migration leaves Botswana’s Boteti, heading back to the Makgadikgadi and the dust bowl of the salt pans become shallow lakes packed with flamingo. It’s the last month visitors can enjoy Zimbabwe’s Mana Pool National Park before this favourite African wilderness is off limits for the season, over in Hwange the elephant population is at its height – there is no experience like watching the giant Hwange bulls queuing patiently for their turn at water. How about being a witness to the greatest sand dunes turning green before your eyes, see the desert bloom!
Marine wildlife in November
If marine activity is what you are after, you’ll catch Humpbacks migrating along the Indian Ocean coast, whale sharks off Tanzania, Manta Rays off Mozambique, and turtles right across the east coast beaches. Down on the Cape you’ll hit the height of the Southern Right Whale season, November is a great month to visit the southern edge of the continent: the Cape experiences a climate all of its own and late Spring is a top time to visit.
Singita Ebony Lodge
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
Singita Ebony Lodge is an exquisite lodge situated in the heart of the Sabi Sand Reserve, famous for its abundance of game. This exclusive lodge has just 12 stunning suites with magnificent views overlooking the bushveld and offers wonderful gameviewing.
Singita Lebombo Lodge
Kruger National Park, Greater Kruger, South Africa
Set over one of Africa's most dramatic landscapes in the eastern Kruger National Park, Singita Lebombo's 13 suites and private villa have all been constructed in the form of huge, spacious glass boxes overlooking the river below.
Somalisa Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Somalisa is located in a private concession at the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. Known as 'the home of elephants', a visit to this luxury camp results in an interaction with the planet's largest land mammal that is unlike any other.
Speke's Camp
Maasai Mara, Maasai Mara and Southern Kenya, Kenya
Speke’s Camp is located away from the crowds, on a private concession bordering the main Masai Mara Reserve, famed for the Great Migration between July and September. The camp is small and intimate offering seclusion in the heart of the Mara.
The Lodge at Royal Malewane
Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
Set on the Thornybush Private Game Reserve in one of South Africa's most game-rich areas, The Lodge at Royal Malewane offers some of the best luxury safari accommodation around, sleeping only 20 guests in very private suites.
Tswalu Loapi
The Kalahari, South Africa
Lying on the edge of the Kalahari, Loapi offers luxurious accommodation offering 6 individual tented homes designed for exclusive use.
Vakona Forest Lodge
Andasibe, Eastern Madagascar, Madagascar
Vakona Forest Lodge is located next to Parc National d'Andasibe-Mantadia, a three-hour drive from Antatanarivo, and offers simple accommodation in 28 rooms, some with a mezzanine sleeping area which are suitable for families.
Anabezi Lodge
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Anabezi camp has been built on the foundations of a historic camp which has stood the test of time. The new lodge is beautifully designed to blend in and gives a fabulous safari experience to all ages.
Apoka Lodge
Kidepo National Park, Uganda
Apoka Lodge is in the beautiful and remote Kidepo Valley National Park on Uganda’s northern border. The lodge has just ten cottages with fabulous views of the park and dotted with giraffe, elephant, buffalo, and zebra.
Bisate Lodge
Volcanoes National Park, Virungas and northern Rwanda, Rwanda
Bisate is the newest luxury lodge in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, home to the mountain gorillas. Owned by Wilderness Safaris the lodge offers a new level of luxury and conservation tourism to the country.
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