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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Mushara Outpost

Mushara Outpost

Etosha National Park, Etosha, Namibia

Mushara Outpost has just eight comfortable tented suites which are built on a raised wooden deck in a private reserve just outside Etosha National Park. The main area is in the style of a traditional farmhouse so has a homely atmosphere.

Wildlife Adventure
Mvuu Lodge

Mvuu Lodge

Liwonde National Park, Blantyre and southern Malawi, Malawi

Situated in lush riverine vegetation and overlooking the perennial Shire River in Lilondwe National Park, Mvuu Lodge is a beautiful lodge with just eight tented cottages and offers wonderful activities focusing on the river and the surrounding area.

Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism
Namib Outpost

Namib Outpost

Sossusvlei, Namibia

A small, luxury lodge located in the rugged hills to the back of Sossusvlei, Desert Homestead Outpost is a great base for exploring this spectacular corner of southern Namibia. Enjoy guided trips into the dunes, hot air balloon flights and hiking trails.

Adventure Off the beaten track Wildlife
Nehimba Lodge

Nehimba Lodge

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Located within a private concession in the northern region of Hwange National Park is Nehimba Lodge. Famed for its huge populations of elephant, guests can expect an incredibly close-up experience of these gentle giants from the comfort of camp.

Adventure Off the beaten track Wildlife
Ngare Serian

Ngare Serian

Maasai Mara, Kenya

Ngare Serian is located on the banks of the Mara River in the Mara North Conservancy, a beautiful private wilderness area just outside the Maasai Mara. The reserve consists of more than 74,000 acres and has just 11 camps within its boundaries.

Wildlife Adventure
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Nkuringo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Located at 2161m above sea level on the Nteko ridge overlooking a spectacular, world renowned Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge is a great lodge from which to explore the area and track Mountain Gorillas.

Adventure Wildlife
Nkwali Camp

Nkwali Camp

South Luangwa National Park,Luangwa Valley,Zambia

Nkwali Camp is situated just outside the South Luangwa National Park. The camp has six delightful thatched cottages with open-air en-suite bathrooms.

Adventure Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism Off the beaten track
North Island Okavango

North Island Okavango

Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana

North Island camp is one of the smallest camps in the Okavango Delta, so you're guaranteed a very private experience, paired with fantastic game viewing in the north-western edge of the Okavango.

Wildlife Adventure
Nsefu Camp

Nsefu Camp

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Nsefu lies on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River and is situated in the heart of the undeveloped Nsefu sector of the South Luangwa National Park - one of the most beautiful, unspoilt wilderness areas in Zambia.

Couples Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism
Ntemwa Busanga Camp

Ntemwa Busanga Camp

Kafue National Park, Kafue and western Zambia, Zambia

Ntemwa Busanga Camp is a small, rustic bush camp located on the northern edge of Kafue National Park. Although slightly more basic, this camp is very comfortable and has a much more 'real' feel to it, giving you a more intimate safari experience.

Off the beaten track Wildlife
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