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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Sasaab

Sasaab

Samburu National Park, Kenya

This stylishly decorated tented lodge has a Moroccan feel to it and wonderful views. The Lodge has fantastic game viewing just on the edge of Samburu National Reserve. There are nine Moroccan thatched and canvas suites each with a private plunge pool.

Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism Off the beaten track
Sausage Tree Camp

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.

Adventure Fishing Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Selinda Camp

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.

Adventure Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Serian Camp

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.

Adventure Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Serian's Serengeti North Camp

Serian's Serengeti North Camp

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Serian's Serengeti North Camp is a seasonal mobile camp operating between July and November in the far north of Tanzania's Serengeti. Set a short distance from the Mara River, Serian is a great camp to catch the dramatic wildebeest river crossings.

Adventure Couples Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Serra Cafema Camp

Serra Cafema Camp

Kunene River, Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Serra Cafema Camp is hidden within the enormous Hartmann Valley, overlooking the bubbling rapids of the Kunene River and yet surrounded by the lunar-like infinity of the Namib Desert - one of the remotest camps in the whole of the African continent!

Adventure Off the beaten track Eco/ethical tourism Culture
Shinde

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.

Adventure Couples Off the beaten track Wildlife
Shinde Footsteps

Shinde Footsteps

Shinde Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana

Footsteps camp is located on the edge of a beautiful lagoon in the north of Botswana's Okavango Delta, where highly vocal hippos wallow. The three traditional safari tents are shaded by magnificent evergreen trees including Africa ebony and mangosteen.

Wildlife Adventure
Shumba Camp

Shumba Camp

Kafue National Park, Kafue and western Zambia, Zambia

Shumba Camp is located in the heart of the wildlife paradise of the Busanga Plains, in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Placed on the edge of a 'tree island', Shumba Camp, has six tented rooms and offers lovely views as well as great game viewing.

Couples Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism
Sindabezi Island

Sindabezi Island

Livingstone, Zambia

Sindabezi is a private island paradise nestled in the waters of the Zambezi River, upstream from the Victoria Falls. It is a luxurious bush camp on its own little island, with superb views over the surrounding river and plenty of activities on offer!

Adventure Eco/ethical tourism Wildlife
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