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.
Footsteps Across the Delta
Shinde Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Footsteps Camp is a fantastic bush camp on the Shinde Concession sleeping just six guests at a time. Footsteps Across the Delta offers the ultimate experience for those looking to enjoy walking safaris and get back to nature.
Gomoti Plains Camp
Chitabe Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Set in a cool sheltered spot beneath a canopy of mature acacia trees, Gomoti Plains Camp is situated on the edge of the Gomoti river system and flood plains right in the centre of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, providing wild and pristine game viewing.
Hog Hollow Country Lodge
Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Hog Hollow Country Lodge is situated in a private nature reserve in close proximity to Plettenberg Bay. The lodge comprises 15 luxurious suites close to the Tsitsikamma Forest and is in a great place to explore the area.
Hoodia Desert Lodge
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Located just 20-minutes from the gateway to Sossusvlei, Hoodia Desert Lodge is a beautiful lodge set in the Namib Desert. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Hoodia offers guests a tranquil stay in a stunning setting.
Impodimo Game Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe and the northwest, South Africa
Escape from the every day at Impodimo Game Lodge. Perched along a ridge in the malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve, experience the magic of the African Bush at this intimate lodge where the Big 5 roam and each suite commands epic views.
Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an authentic safari camp, with just ten tented rooms on the banks of Ntungwe river, in the remote Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The camp has the feeling of being in the heart of the wilderness.
Jozibanini Camp
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Jozibanini Camp is a small and truly exclusive camp in a remote part of Hwange National Park. The camp is situated in the south west part of the park where only the wildlife and park rangers frequent.
Kafunta River Lodge
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Kafunta River Lodge is located on the border of the South Luangwa National Park, overlooking a permanent lagoon.
Kanana Camp
Nxabega Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Kanana Camp sits on the Xudum river in the south west of Botswana's Okavango Delta, offering a comfortable tented base for their safari. Both land and water based activities are available here, from game drives and walks to mokoro trips and fishing.
Kanga Camp
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Kanga Camp is set in private concession on the edge of Mana Pools National Park. The camp is built around Kanga Pan, a permanent water hole, which as the only source of permanent water in the area, draws in incredible game during the dry season.
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