Africa, Guides, Safari, Wildlife and Where to go when

Where to go on safari in April

Our top choices for the best safari experiences in Africa

Isobel

Intern

Published on

16 Oct 2025

Updated on

22 Sept 2026

Whilst most of East Africa is still in the midst of its long rains in April, don’t let that put you off, the weather can be unpredictable but beautifully dramatic, all rolling storm clouds and golden light between showers.

The Great Migration is on the move too, with the herds abandoning the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and beginning to push north through Moru Kopjes and the Seronera Valley in search of fresh grazing. In the popular safari areas of Southern Africa, the majority of the heavy rains have stopped and temperatures have cooled from the intensity of high summer. The bushveld is simply stunning at this time of year, lush and green, which can make wildlife spotting a little more challenging, though the birdlife more than makes up for it, with resident and migratory species both out in force.

In Botswana, the rivers are filling fast, making this a genuinely special time to visit the Okavango Delta as it slowly comes back to life. And the mighty Victoria Falls, straddling the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, will be thundering at close to its most powerful, throwing up clouds of spray visible for miles. It’s also worth noting that April sits at the tail end of the low season in many of these destinations, so alongside the drama, you’ll often find quieter camps and gentler rates too.

Botswana

Throughout Botswana the rainfall is coming to an end and the Okavango Delta begins to flood, becoming arguably one of the most beautiful places in Africa. Picking the right camp will play an integral role in your safari experience here so it’s worth speaking with an expert. The impala rut is in full flow which makes for a fascinating experience as the sleek antelope vie for dominance over harems of females. The floodwater itself has a fascinating journey, falling as rain in the Angolan highlands months earlier and taking around four months to travel south into the delta, with the first channels here in the upper delta filling up just as your safari gets underway in April, long before the flood reaches its peak here in July.

Although it is the shoulder season in the rest of Northern Botswana, The Central Kalahari Game Reserve comes into its own. Soon after the rains and before it gets too hot and dry a lot of the wildlife tends to concentrate feeding on lush grasses in the valleys. During the peak dry seasons, food becomes scarce and the wildlife disperses. Night-time and morning temperatures tend to be low, however daytime temperatures are 30+ which is ideal for extended periods of activity before it gets too warm. It’s a wonderful contrast to the wetter delta only a short flight away, and one of the few times of year you can comfortably combine both landscapes in a single trip.

Tanzania

April might be a rainy season with sporadic thunder-filled down pours but don’t let this deter you as it does with many people.

Travelling to Tanzania and East Africa during this time of year means less crowds and you’ll only share the wilderness with the wildlife. The extinct volcano of the Ngorongoro Crater will be a carpet of yellow and purple flower and teaming with wildlife, simply idyllic. The crater floor itself sits over 600 metres below the rim, a natural amphitheatre that holds one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa year-round, so even with the rains falling elsewhere, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area rarely disappoints.

Zimbabwe and Zambia

Vic falls-Zamiba-Pexels — Visit the world famous vic falls

The powerful Zambezi River will be fully charged by the summer rains as it thunderously pours over the world-famous Victoria Falls, throwing vast clouds of mist into the air making it one of the best seasons to visit this wonder of the natural world. At its peak in April, over 500 million litres of water can pour over the falls every single minute, sending spray hundreds of metres into the air and often obscuring the far bank entirely, though a scenic flight over the gorge is a wonderful way to see the full scale of it when the mist is at its thickest.

In Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and Mana Pools National Park, this is the beginning of the dry season and arguably one of the most beautiful times to experience these stunning reserves as the wildlife begins to congregate around waterholes. Mana Pools in particular comes into its own as the Zambezi’s floodplains begin to recede, drawing elephant, buffalo and predators alike down to the river’s edge, often within easy walking distance of camp.

South Africa

It’s now mid-Autumn in South Africa which only lasts for a short period.

The once thick vegetation begins to draw back exposing more wildlife which has now begun to congregate more and more around waterholes. It’s a fantastic time to experience the infamous Kruger National Park and the private concessions of the Sabi Sands. The days are beginning to cool which in turn means the wildlife is more active, creating more opportunities to spot it. The light softens too, with long, golden mornings and afternoons that make for some of the best photography conditions of the year, and without the peak-season crowds of the dry winter months, sightings often feel a little more personal.

Namibia

The coming of April marks the end of the rainy season.

Warm, dry and sunny, an ideal time to visit Namibia with the air largely clear from dust, this is considered to be Namibia at it’s most beautiful as the normally totally orange sands of the arid deserts are interspersed with patches of vibrant greens and brightly coloured flowers. Although not the best time for wildlife viewing as there is still plenty of water to be found, the birdlife and striking landscapes more than make up for it. Etosha’s pans in particular take on an almost mirror-like quality after the rains, and while the wildlife may be more dispersed across the wider landscape, the reflections and dramatic skies make it a photographer’s dream.

Madagascar

Madagascar in April brings rays of sunshine after the heavy rains and cyclone season. With such a diverse and unique ecosystem, Madagascar offers breath taking natural beauty, white sand beaches, beautiful rainforests and of course extraordinary wildlife. This is the only place in the world where you will see lemurs in their natural environment as they roam the emerald-green rainforests packed full of brightly coloured reptiles and birds.

If you’re building whale watching into your trip, it’s worth noting that the humpbacks don’t actually arrive until June, so April is better spent exploring Madagascar’s rainforests instead, where baby lemurs born the previous year are now bounding around independently and the orchids are beginning to bloom.

Nature is in full bloom at this time of year, with few tourists, making it probably one of the best times of year to travel to this remarkable island for wildlife and scenery alike, even if the whales will have to wait for another trip.

Mauritius

Although Mauritius isn’t a safari destination in itself, it pairs beautifully with one, and April can work nicely as a beach add-on at the end of a Southern Africa itinerary.

It sits right at the tail end of the cyclone season for Mauritius, so afternoon showers are still possible, but the days are warm, the evenings pleasantly cool and the sea temperature is lovely, all of which makes it a popular month for families rounding off their trip with an Easter beach break.

Ultimately...

From the flooding channels of the Okavango and the thundering peak of Victoria Falls, to the quiet, flower-strewn crater floor of Ngorongoro and the golden autumn light of the Kruger, April proves that safari season in Africa never really stops, it just changes character. Whether you’re chasing dramatic skies and fewer crowds in the east, or crisp mornings and cooling bushveld in the south, there’s a version of April in Africa built for however you like your wildlife served.

Check out these

Amazing holiday ideas for April

Madagascar Explorer

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Ile Sainte Marie

13 days
From £3,691 ^pp.

Botswana Baobabs & Okavango Delta

Okavango Delta
Savuti & Chobe

11 days
From £3,395 ^pp.

Sunway Botswana Okavango AT Reisen Patrick Franke

Namibia and Botswana safari

Zambia
Namibia
Botswana

21 days
From £3,325 ^pp.

Zambia & Malawi Luxury Honeymoon

Vic Falls
South Luangwa
Lake Malawi

13 days
From £10,852 ^pp.

Family Holiday in Mauritius

Belle Mare

11 days
From £1,784 ^pp.

Speak with our safari experts today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315

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George W

This was our 2nd trip organised via Far and Wild from Australia - previously Africa and now Sri Lanka. Nia and the rest of the team were great - excellent itinerary, happy to modify the trip based on my suggestions and research, and they handled some last minute changes caused by a health issue without any problems at all. They were very quick to reply to all messages - and the trip went really smoothly. If you want an up-market holiday, this is a great organisation to organise that sort of trip!

December, 2025

Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

August, 2025

Nick and Carly

Thank you to Nia and Far and Wild. My wife and I wanted to go to Vietnam and capture a real taste of the country from top to bottom but didn't have a clue where to start. We weren’t even sure if it was possible. Through speaking to Nia, sharing ideas and asking questions we were able to book what looked to be an extremely exciting trip - we could not wait to go. The reality of the trip more than matched our expectations. We had unforgettable experiences that we would never have been able to organise ourselves. The true value in this trip was that someone who knew what they were doing could give us the experience we truly craved. Well done Nia, it was a holiday we will never forget and we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!

November, 2025

Kamal

Had an absolutely amazing 3 weeks in Chile and Argentina! We were a group of 8 friends - 4 couples. The vans used for our private excursions were very good and spacious. All the ground arrangements were as planned … the guides were very good - their English and knowledge was amazing. They made sure we had a good time. The picnic lunches were served in great locations with fabulous views and setup with tables and table cloths! Highly recommend Far and Wild! Looking to book another trip with them next year!

December, 2025

Lucinda F

Seamlessly organised! Brilliant suggestions of where to go which really gave us a 360 view of Kenya and hit our families need for adventure and mine for a bit of luxury.

November, 2025

Richard S

Alistair took time to understand what we were after and came up with an unforgettable Kenyan safari and beach holiday which we will all remember for a very long time. Real memory making trip with our 10 and 12 year old boys. Exactly what we hoped for and more!

November, 2025

Sue S

Otti organised a superb holiday to Kenya and Seychelles for my husband and I and our 2 adult daughters. It was our first safari and we only had a vague idea about where to start. Otti made the process so simple for us, suggesting an itinerary which she tweaked following discussions about the camps and hotels, and was really quick responding to my many queries; she was friendly, helpful and gave me complete confidence we were in excellent hands throughout. Far and Wild clearly have knowledge about the places they are recommending and work as team to provide the best service - definitely a 10 out of 10 for customer service and organising an amazing holiday for us.

September, 2025

Anonymous client

We can't thank the Far and Wild team enough for the most incredible trip we just had in Kenya. Otti really took into account what we were after and delivered an experience that exceeded all expectations. It was the trip of a lifetime! We had the most beautiful and unique time while on safari at the Instinct of the Mara. We really wanted to visit a camp that took ethical and sustainable practices seriously without compromising on the experience... and wow, it was truly wonderful and special! We'll definitely be returning. Our time at Diani beach was also lovely and very relaxing. Every step of the trip was seamless and we didn't have to worry about a thing. We had 4 domestic flights and a handful of car rides to take and everything was extremely organized and ran smoothly. We can't wait to book our next big trip!! Very grateful.

September, 2025

Claire L

Ben and Tamara at Far and Wild were exceptional in every respect. They offered thoughtful advice, excellent recommendations, and meticulous planning, weaving together their personal connections to help our family transform a collection of ideas into a magnificent six-week adventure. Every detail was handled with care - no transaction overlooked - which is all the more impressive given the complexity of moving three people across four regions of the country by every mode of transport imaginable. Their expertise gave us complete peace of mind and allowed us to simply enjoy the journey. I have already recommended Far and Wild to friends and would not hesitate to do so again.

August, 2025

Steven V

So great to be able to leave the details to the professionals at Far and Wild. Our two-week tour of Buenos Aires and southern Uruguay was pitch-perfect to our requests and goals. Amanda understood clearly what we were after, and crafted an idyllic itinerary with our style of hotels, guided tours, and transfers. Complementing Far and Wild's first-person knowledge of the territory were the excellent resources "on the ground" in Argentina and Uruguay to handle last-minute changes and requests. We've found our travel partner!

November, 2025

Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far and Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

July, 2024

Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

March, 2024

Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. It was good value for the level of luxury we had.

June, 2024

Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

July, 2024

Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps was ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

June, 2024

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

May, 2024

Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

April, 2024

Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

March, 2024

Where to go on safari in April

Botswana

Tanzania

Zimbabwe and Zambia

South Africa

Namibia

Madagascar

Mauritius

Ultimately...