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.
Nyamatusi Camp
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
The newest addition to the African Bush Camps collection, Nyamatusi Camp is a wonderfully luxurious option in the wildlife haven of Mana pools. The camp consists of six luxurious tented suites each boasting a private plunge pool and views of the river
Offbeat Escarpment Mobile Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Staying in mobile camps in the Maasai Mara, Offbeat Riding Safaris provides some of the best riding safaris in Africa accompanied by expert riding guides. Your fifth night will be based looking out over the Mara at the Escarpment Mobile Camp
Offbeat Mara Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
This small exclusive tented camp, Offbeat Mara Camp, has just seven tents and is located on the Olare Orok River in the game rich Mara North Conservancy. The camp offers a truly, traditional safari, excellent service and access to the Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Offbeat Mara River Mobile Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Staying in mobile camps in the Maasai Mara, Offbeat Riding Safaris provides some of the best riding safaris in Africa accompanied by expert riding guides. Your sixth and seventh nights will be spent at Offbeat Mara River mobile camp.
Offbeat Olare Lamun Mobile Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Staying in mobile camps in the Maasai Mara, Offbeat Riding Safaris provides some of the best riding safaris in Africa accompanied by expert riding guides. Your first two nights will be based in Olare Lamun mobile camp
Offbeat Olare Orok Mobile Camp
Maasai Mara, Kenya
Staying in mobile camps in the Maasai Mara, Offbeat Riding Safaris provides some of the best riding safaris in Africa accompanied by expert riding guides. Your third and forth nights will be spent at Olare Orok mobile camp.
Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp
Central Highlands, Namibia
Home to the AfriCat foundation, Okonjima Bush Camp offers up the opportunity to get close to Namibia's big cats from the comfort of this intimate camp. With just nine suites and the two-bedroom Bush Suite, Okonjima can cater to families and couples alike.
Okonjima Plains Camp
Central Highlands, Namibia
Located to the northwest of Windhoek, Okonjima Plains Camp has wonderful views of the unspoilt landscapes that surround the camp. Okonjima is home to the AfriCat Foundation and guests can visit the cats and photograph them.
Okuti
Moremi Game Reserve, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana
Okuti offers a unique kind of accommodation for your safari in the Moremi Game Reserve, in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Set right on the water, it is an ideal base for exploring this wildlife-rich region and is a really family-friendly camp.
Ol Lentille
Laikipia, Northern Kenya, Kenya
Situated in the rolling hills of the Laikipia Plateau, in the Ol Lentille Conservancy, Ol Lentille is a breathtaking place to visit, and a great base from which to explore this fascinating and diverse part of Kenya.
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