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 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.

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Singita Boulders Lodge

Singita Boulders Lodge

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa

An exclusive oasis in the beautiful and game-rich Greater Kruger area, Singita Boulders Lodge offers high levels of service, impeccable guiding, luxurious, airy rooms and the chance to get close to nature, accompanied by your expert guide.

Couples Wildlife Spa & health
Singita Ebony Lodge

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.

Adventure Wildlife Culture Spa & health
Singita Lebombo Lodge

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.

Wildlife Adventure Spa & health
Somalisa Camp

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.

Adventure Off the beaten track Wildlife
Speke's Camp

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.

Wildlife Off the beaten track
The Lodge at Royal Malewane

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.

Wildlife Spa & health Adventure
Tswalu Loapi

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.

Adventure Off the beaten track Eco/ethical tourism Wildlife
Vakona Forest Lodge

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.

Adventure Wildlife Off the beaten track
Anabezi Lodge

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.

Couples Wildlife
Apoka Lodge

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.

Off the beaten track Adventure Wildlife
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