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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Olakira Camp

Olakira Camp

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Olakira is a small, seasonal camp, located in the Serengeti National Park. Moving seasonally between the north and south the camp optimises the chance of witnessing the great wildebeest migration and therefore ensuring fantastic game-viewing at all times.

Adventure Wildlife
Old Mondoro

Old Mondoro

Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

A superb and secluded little camp, Old Mondoro (so named after the Shona word for lion) nestles on the banks of the Zambezi River, shaded by towering winterthorn trees, in an area renowned for its natural beauty as well as its high concentrations of game.

Off the beaten track Wildlife Adventure Fishing
Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge

Ongava Private Game Reserve, Etosha, Namibia

Ongava Lodge is situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park in the privately owned Ongava Game Reserve. From its beautiful vantage point overlooking a waterhole and the plains beyond, enjoy a plethora of game that arrives to drink.

Off the beaten track Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism
Onguma Bush Camp

Onguma Bush Camp

Onguma Private Game Reserve, Etosha, Namibia

Onguma Bush Camp is the most low-key of Onguma's four properties and offers simple acommodation in three bungalows, six twin rooms, one suite and two family rooms.

Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism Off the beaten track
Onguma Tented Camp

Onguma Tented Camp

Onguma Private Game Reserve, Etosha, Namibia

Onguma Tented Camp is an elegant yet earthy camp with seven large and luxurious en-suite tented rooms which are the ultimate in safari chic, and are found on the private Onguma reserve next to Etosha National Park.

Wildlife Adventure Eco/ethical tourism Off the beaten track
Onguma The Fort

Onguma The Fort

Onguma Private Game Reserve, Etosha, Namibia

The Fort overlooks the sparseness of the Etosha Pans and is unlike any other lodge in Namibia. It provides guests probably one of the best sunset views in the whole of Namibia, and easy access to Etosha National Park with its incredible wildlife.

Wildlife Adventure Off the beaten track
Pelican Point Lodge

Pelican Point Lodge

Swakopmund, Namibia

Pelican Point Lodge is situated on the remote peninsula of Pelican Point at Walvis Bay. This unique lodge is in a converted building at the base of the lighthouse, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Lagoon of Walvis Bay on the other.

Couples Off the beaten track Wildlife Adventure
Princesse Bora Lodge

Princesse Bora Lodge

Ile St Marie, Eastern Madagascar, Madagascar

Princesse Bora Lodge is easily Ile Ste Marie's most luxurious resort. Located on the southwest side of the island, close to the airport, it offers beach side accommodation in 20 comfort villas, five luxury villas and five executive beach villas.

Adventure Beach Off the beaten track Sailing & surfing
Puku Ridge Tented Camp

Puku Ridge Tented Camp

South Luangwa National Park, Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Puku Ridge Tented Camp, in the game-rich southern sector of South Luangwa National Park, occupies a commanding position on a hillside overlooking sweeping plains teeming with wildlife. A wonderful combination of luxury and excellent game-viewing

Adventure Couples Wildlife Eco/ethical tourism
Qorokwe Camp

Qorokwe Camp

Qorokwe Concession, Okavango Delta and Moremi, Botswana

Offering a truly diverse safari experience in the southern Okavango Delta, Qorokwe is the latest safari camp addition to the Wilderness Safaris portfolio in Botswana. Explore waterways, islands and savannahs on a mix of land and water-based activities.

Couples Wildlife
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