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.

November safari

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 theater 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 vacations - lodges drop their rates, often dramatically, and those traveling 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 favorite 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.

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Damaraland Camp

Damaraland Camp

Damaraland, Namibia

Damaraland Camp is located in possibly the most pristine wilderness area in Namibia, the Huab River Valley. Boasting panoramic vistas of stark plains, ancient valleys and the soaring inselberg of the Brandberg Mountains.

Adventure Eco/ethical tourism Wildlife
Dinaka

Dinaka

The Kalahari, Botswana

Dinaka Safari Lodge is a charming tented camp located in a private reserve cradling the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. This unique location offers guests the opportunity to enjoy the varied landscape and wildlife of the Kalahari.

Adventure Off the beaten track Wildlife
Doro Nawas

Doro Nawas

Damaraland, Namibia

Doro Nawas elegantly combines the comfort of its sixteen stone and thatch rooms with unspoiled panoramic views over small canyons, savannah and dry riverbeds. A perfect place to explore the wild and desolate Damaraland area with your guide.

Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism
Duba Explorers

Duba Explorers

Duba Concession, Okavango Delta, Botswana

A charming, luxury tented camp in the Duba Concession of the Okavango Delta, Duba Explorer is a superb base for your safari. Combining game drives and water activities, you'll be accompanied by some of the best guides in the country.

Adventure Couples Wildlife
Dulini Moya

Dulini Moya

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa

With only six suites, Dulini Moya offers an exclusive luxury retreat within the Exeter Private Game Reserve, near the south western corner of the Kruger National Park. Guests staying at Dulini can enjoy superb game viewing in ultimate safari comfort.

Wildlife Adventure
DumaTau

DumaTau

Linyanti Concession, Botswana

Located on raised wooden decks overlooking a lagoon filled with hippos, DumaTau is a luxury 10-room tented camp set in the heart of a natural haven. This is a perfect place in which to experience the diverse sights and sounds of the game-rich Linyanti.

SDP Adventure Off the beaten track Wildlife
Dunia Camp

Dunia Camp

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Dunia Camp is an eight tented female run safari camp in the southern part of the Serengeti, Tanzania. This area is famous for the Great Migration, expect to see an abundance of lion, leopard and cheetah and perhaps even the elusive black rhino.

Couples Wildlife
Elewana Elsa’s Kopje

Elewana Elsa’s Kopje

Meru National Park, Northern Kenya, Kenya

Elsa's Kopje is an idyllic wilderness retreat situated close to the untamed expanse of Meru National Park. Nine spacious open-fronted thatched cottages blend into the hillside and look out over breathtaking views of the plains.

Adventure Off the beaten track Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Emily Moon

Emily Moon

Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa

Emily Moon has eight luxury rooms, all with fabulous views over the sweeping river valley and wetlands. It is a small, intimate lodge set in a beautiful location and a wonderful place to base yourself to explore the area, just outside Plettenburg Bay.

Adventure Culture Wildlife
Etendeka Mountain Camp

Etendeka Mountain Camp

Damaraland

A wonderfully simple little camp, Etendeka's ten tented rooms nestle in the foothills of the Grootberg Massif, in northern Damaraland. The scenery around camp is incredible; towering mountains and deep valleys just waiting to be explored with your guide.

Adventure Couples Eco/ethical tourism Wildlife
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