71 - 5 of 5 Things to Do
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.
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71 - 80 of 284 Hotels
Emily Moon
Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Emily Moon has eight luxury rooms, all with fabulous views over the sweeping river valley and wetlands. It is a small, intimate lodge set in a beautiful location and a wonderful place to base yourself to explore the area, just outside Plettenburg Bay.
Adventure Culture Wildlife
Fugitives' Drift
Rorke's Drift, KwaZulu Natal and the north coast, South Africa
Fugitives' Drift Lodge and Guesthouse are simple and charming retreats with eight cottages and six rooms respectively, very close to the sites of two of the most famous battlefields in the history of the South African wars, Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.
Culture Adventure Wildlife
Giraffe Manor
Nairobi, Kenya
Giraffe Manor is a unique boutique hotel in the heart of Nairobi, famous for its resident herd of endangered Rothschild giraffe. The manor house was originally built as a private home in the 1930s and has twelve bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms.
Short Break Adventure Culture Wildlife
Jack’s Camp
Makgadikgadi Pans, Makgadikgadi and the Kalahari, Botswana
Jack's Camp was set up by the legendary African character Jack Bousfield, who was one of the great explorers and adventurers of the continent. There are just ten tents and this intimate camp is one of only two permanent camps in the Makgadikgadi.
Wildlife Adventure Culture Off the beaten track
Kulala Desert Lodge
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Kulala Desert Lodge is situated in the 37 000 hectare Kulala Wilderness Reserve bordering the Namib Naukluft Park, there is an abundance of space and silence to be found here and the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sossusvlei dunes at sunrise.
Adventure Eco/ethical tourism Off the beaten track Wildlife
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Innovative, stylish and intimate, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge embodies a "funk-meets-futuristic-farmhouse" ambience, with just six intimate suites with spacious living areas and ensuite bathrooms. Ecca is a superb family friendly safari option in the Eastern Cape.
Adventure Culture Eco/ethical tourism Wildlife
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Kwandwe Game Reserve is situated in the non-malarial Eastern Cape. Great Fish River Lodge comprises nine luxurious thatched suites, each with its own private plunge pool, which are linked to the lodge by wooden walkways.
Wildlife Couples Adventure Culture
Leobo Private Reserve
Waterberg, Madikwe and the northwest, South Africa
Leobo Private Reserve is an exclusive, luxury bush retreat situated in the Waterberg region of South Africa. The reserve is only available on an exclusive use basis and guests can enjoy an array of activities, all arranged for them at the drop of a hat.
Adventure Riding Wildlife Villa
Lolebezi
Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Lolebezi brings you a remote and luxurious adventure on the banks of the wild Zambezi River. It has been beautifully designed to make the most of the private river frontage bringing with it stunning views and wildlife sightings.
Adventure Couples Culture Eco/ethical tourism
Londolozi Private Game Reserve
Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa
Comprising five separate camps over 14,000 game-rich hectares, in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Londolozi is a thoroughly luxurious but down to earth safari destination, which prides it self on its excellent standard of guiding.
Adventure Wildlife
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