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.
Ruckomechi Camp
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Ruckomechi Camp lies on the Zimbabwean bank of the Zambezi River, 100 kilometres downstream from Lake Kariba, in the heart of Mana Pools National Park. The ten-tented camp sits under the shade of an acacia grove and enjoys dramatic views towards Zambia.
Sable Alley
Khwai Private Reserve, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Sable Alley Lodge sits in the northern stretches of the Okavango Delta, just outside the Moremi Game Reserve in the private Khwai concession. Perched on the edge of a lagoon, the lodge boasts incredible views and excellent game viewing in and around camp.
Sala's Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
One of the best placed camps in the Maasai Mara, Sala's Camp gives a contemporary take on tradition with just seven tented rooms in the very south of the Mara, perfectly placed for some exceptional game viewing and in a lovely tranquil spot.
Sarara Camp
Samburu National Park, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Sarara is a leading community-run tented camp set in the Mathews Range of Northern Kenya. Accommodation is in six double tents, each with flush-loos and open air showers. A natural rock swimming pool overlooks a waterhole frequently visited by animals.
Sarara Treehouses
Samburu National Park, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Sarara Treehouses is a sister camp to Sarara, that is set amidst the canopy of trees nestled at the foothills of the Mathews Range. Eight en-suite tree houses are located on this forested mountainside and each come with their own star bed.
Saruni Wild
Maasai Mara, Maasai Mara and Southern Kenya, Kenya
Saruni Wild is an exclusive little camp in the heart of Kenya's Maasai Mara. With just 3 tents and set in a secluded valley, rich in wildlife, Saruni Wild offers an authentic and uninterrupted safari experience for small groups and families.
Sausage Tree Camp
Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
A beautiful safari camp sitting on the banks of the Lower Zambezi, offering excellent food and the best of game viewing in luxurious surroundings. Sausage Tree Camp has eight tented rooms and a family house.
Selinda Camp
Selinda Concession, Linyanti, Botswana
Newly reopened in June 2019 after an extensive rebuild, Selinda Camp is a luxurious camp located on the private 130,000 hectare Selinda Reserve. This area of the Linyanti boasts wonderful views over the floodplains and elephants by the thousands.
Serian Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Serian Camp is a traditional tented bush camp with five tents in the Mara North conservancy just outside the Maasai Mara Reserve. The camp enjoys beautiful, expansive views of the Mara river and the Olololo escarpment.
Shinde
Shinde Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Shinde sits on a lush palm island in the heart of the northern Okavango Delta. It is an intimate camp located on the edge of Shinde Lagoon which is teeming with animals and birds. Activities include day and night game drives and bush walks.
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