Travel to Africa in August for peak safari season but choose your destination carefully to avoid the crowds. Discover August travel recommendations and insider tips from our destination experts at Safari Online.
It’s not always easy deciding where to go in Africa in August but that’s for good reason: August is one of the year’s most exciting months. It’s when Botswana’s elephants gather in huge herds at water and a time for the Serengeti’s migrating wildebeest to cross crocodile-infested rivers into Kenya’s Masai Mara. It’s also one of the best months to trek for gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda.
August in Africa is winter: it’s dry and sunny across much of the continent and that means great game viewing. Animals are easier to see in the low, sparse vegetation and are concentrated around water sources, often in great numbers. The malaria risk is at its lowest during the drier, cooler winter and August is a good time to travel to Africa with a family, especially as Indian Ocean beach destinations are still warm and sunny.
Catch the drama of the River Crossings; a great time for predators. Talk to us and we’ll recommend the best tour for your requirements.
August records some of the year’s lowest rainfall in the region and temperatures range between 14°C (57°F) and 26°C (79°F).
Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. Big 5 game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire. End with a beach holiday in Zanzibar.
By August the migrating wildebeest herds have arrived in Tanzania’s western Serengeti and are crossing the rivers that block their progress into Kenya’s Masai Mara. The murky rivers are full of enormous Nile crocodiles and the result makes for some of Africa’s most dramatic game viewing, especially as big cats and hyenas wait on the other side for survivors.
August is also a great time in the Serengeti/Masai Mara region for general wildlife watching and it offers a comfortable climate too.
Other Great months for the Serengeti: December through July.
Book as early as you can – this is a popular time of year to visit; choose a lodge in a private concession for more exclusivity.
Diverse safari activities and water-based ones are easier to guarantee during the high water season. Animals arrive in great numbers.
No need to pack an umbrella but you will need a warm top: no chance of rain and temperatures range from 14°C (57°F) to 30°C (86°F).
Victoria Falls and Botswana’s Central Kalahari and Chobe National Park. Easy connections also with South Africa and Namibia.
It may be well into Botswana’s dry season but the Okavango Delta in August is at its most extensive. Crystal-clear floodwaters have filled local lakes and rivers, attracting elephant and buffalo as well as large numbers of zebra and antelope. Predators gather on the side lines – big cats, African wild dogs and hyenas – and it’s always a good month for birdwatching in the Okavango.
Divide your time between a water- and a land-based camp for the best mix of wildlife, and get ready to explore by boat, on foot, by vehicle & by canoe.
Other Great months for the Okavango Delta & Moremi Game Reserve: July, September & October.
Botswana is on the more expensive side & this is high season: book a multi-destination package deal for the best value.
September is the last month before the rainy season arrives. More availability for gorilla trekking permits – cheaper in Uganda.
August is one of the year’s driest months and it’ll be colder than you might think: temperatures range from 6°C (43°F) to 16°C (61°F).
Wildebeest migration in Serengeti/Masai Mara or go on safari in Uganda for big game, birdwatching & chimpanzee trekking.
Trekking for mountain gorillas in the rainforests of Rwanda or Uganda is often a wet and muddy experience but August is one of the year’s driest months and a popular time to go. It’ll be colder than you might think but you’ll be based at a cosy lodge in the rainforest and led to the gorillas by dedicated, local guides. Other activities include hiking, bird watching and tracking rare creatures such as golden monkeys.
Uganda is the more affordable destination thanks to cheaper trekking permits and mid-range to entry-level accommodation but you’ll be sharing flights and transfers; Rwanda is private transfers all the way and has more luxurious accommodation. You can fly in and out of either destination but Uganda is also home to Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, adding the possibility of game viewing and chimpanzee trekking to the itinerary.
Other Great months for Gorilla Trekking: January & February; June, July & September.
Gorilla trekking can be hard work; ask us about shorter, less strenuous gorilla treks for older travellers or those worried about their fitness.
Prime time for Africa’s best Big 5 game viewing. A Kruger safari takes you on thrilling game drives, guided bushwalks and spot-lit night drives.
The weather in August is perfect with temperatures ranging from 10°C (50°F) to 26°C (79°F) and the malaria risk is at its lowest.
Mozambique’s islands for a beach holiday or Cape Town for flowers & whale watching season; it’s also a good month for Vic Falls & its Devil’s Pool.
The Kruger Park is a great destination in August: animals are concentrating at waterholes and rivers. But the Kruger is an enormous park with its wildlife widely dispersed and it’s a destination that can be busy with visitors in August.
For more privacy and even better game viewing, go on safari in one of the Kruger’s adjoining private reserves such as the Sabi Sands or Timbavati: you’ll enjoy amazing sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo while in the care of expert guides and you can also go on guided walks and night drives. Accommodation ranges from some of the most luxurious lodges in Africa to very affordable camps, and you’ll find family-friendly lodges and honeymoon hideaways too.
Other Great months for Kruger Park: May through July & September through November.
Planning a safari honeymoon? Ask us about Honeymoon Specials where the bride only pays 50%.
Tropical island getaways for honeymooners, families & water-sport lovers. There are fabulous diving and snorkelling opportunities.
Don’t worry about ‘winter’: temperatures in the Bazaruto islands range from 16°C (61°F) to 26°C (79°F) and it is a few degrees warmer in the Quirimbas.
A big game safari in the Sabi Sands – you can even fly direct – or head for peak-season Botswana with a stopover in Johannesburg.
Lying off Mozambique’s Indian Ocean coast, the archipelagos of Bazaruto and the Quirimbas are a great choice for a winter-season beach holiday.
It’s safely out of cyclone season and there’s fabulous diving and snorkelling in an ocean that invites you in at 23°C (73°F) plus sailing, desert island picnics and sunset dhow cruises. August in Mozambique is shoulder season so you’ll be paying less for accommodation than in high season, and since either destination is just a short flight from South Africa, it’s ideal for a beach and bush combination whether you’re on honeymoon or bringing the kids.
Other Great months for Bazaruto & Quirimbas: June, July, September & October.
If the archipelagos are out of your budget, then try the beach lodges at Vilanculos on the Mozambique mainland.
August is high-season with excellent wildlife viewing plus it’s nice and cool at night with very few insects. Low malaria risk.
Almost no chance of rain and temperatures are warm to mild during the day, though it can be very cold at night and in the early morning.
The Bangweulu Wetlands, an off-the-beaten-path reserve and top birding area with Zambia’s ‘mega-tick’ – the Shoebill Stork.
Zambia has successfully put itself on the safari map in recent years and two of its reserves are definitely where to go in Africa in September for heavyweight game viewing. The South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its big game viewing and September is prime walking season. In combination with game drives and even boat cruises, walking safaris take you into the African bush at its most exciting time of year, safe in the company of expert guides and armed rangers.
There’s also walking in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park but the emphasis is more on exploring the Zambezi River by boat and canoe as well as its grasslands and forests by 4X4. A magical landscape of land and water, the Lower Zambezi offers a great diversity of wildlife – hippos and crocodiles as well as elephants, big cats and antelope.
Other Great months for Zambia: May through August; October.
Combine two or three lodges from the same operator for discounted long-stay specials.
Victoria Falls is still looking spectacular but water levels are now low enough for Livingstone Island, Devil’s Pool & white-water rafting.
It’s cool at night – the average minimum is 9°C (49°F) but things warm up to 28°C (82°F) during the day. Low malaria risk in August.
Kafue National Park is the world’s second largest wildlife reserve – a destination with plenty of big animals & a bird list of 500 species.
Visit Victoria Falls in August and you will see why it has earned its reputation as Africa’s Adventure Capital. The Zambezi River is dropping rapidly and it’s now the time for activities such as canoeing, white-water rafting and Livingstone Island picnics, complete with a dip in Devil’s Pool for the bravest of the brave. You’ll need to decide which side of the Zambezi River to base yourself – Victoria Falls is ‘shared’ between Zimbabwe and Zambia – but border crossings between the two are generally quick and easy.
Accommodation of every kind – honeymoon, family, budget and luxury – can be found on both sides of the river, some within walking distance of the waterfall.
Other Great months for Victoria Falls: March through June for Victoria Falls in full flow; July, September & October for white-water rafting, Devil’s Pool & safaris.
Special trip? Ask us about a Victoria Falls accommodation package featuring a ‘star bed’ – it’ll be a night to remember!
August is a peak time to experience Africa’s diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable adventures. From iconic game drives to hidden seasonal gems, our travel experts know how to build a safari that makes the most of this time of year.
