Africa, Safari, Wildlife and Where to go when

Where to go on safari in January

Some great suggestions where to have the best safari experiences in January

Alex

Operations & Marketing Development

Published on

02 Oct 2020

Updated on

25 Apr 2025

We’re often asked when is the best time of year to go on safari and where, and in all honesty there is no right or wrong answer – it all depends on what you wish to see and your individual tastes.

Below is an overview of the highlights of the wildlife and nature safari calendar in January, showing you where to go and be best placed to see some of the remarkable highlights of the natural world, giving you an idea of the perfect season for you to go on safari and what you can expect to see.

January is predominantly when most of Africa is entering its ‘green season’ when it comes to safari experiences in Africa. The bush is alive with the sounds of insects and wildflowers are abundant. Throughout eastern and southern Africa there is also great birding as the summer migratory visitors are prevalent.

South Africa

Cape Town. This is probably one of the best time of year to visit as it’s during the height of the Cape and surrounding regions summer, meaning warm temperatures and a great time to visit the winelands of the region.

Kwa Zulu Natal. Along the eastern coast and Indian Ocean seaboard, you have a great chance of witnessing the hatching of endangered turtle species throughout the region. (January – March)

A safari experience in South Africa is great at this time of year as there are an abundance of young antelope bounding around and playing.

Tanzania

The Great Wildebeest Migration is gathering and concentrated in the southern regions of the Serengeti amongst short grassy plains and also the Ngorogoro Conservation Area. This is the beginning of the calving season where thousands of wildebeest and zebra are being born each day, which attracts big cats and other predators. It’s also a less busy time of year in comparison to the more famous river crossing season of the migration.

Take a look at our guide of where, when and how to see the Wildebeest Migration.

Kenya

Far from the busy and crowded river crossing season, the Masai Mara in January is fantastic. A ‘quiet day’ in the Mara can surpass a busy day of wildlife viewing in a vast array of other safari destinations. The resident wildlife is abundant, the grasses are short yet there are few visitors – you’ll feel as though you have the entire Masai Mara for safari all to yourself.

Amboseli, which is further south is probably the pinnacle destination when it comes to African elephants. January’s clear skies combined with the ultimate ‘African backdrop’ of Kilimanjaro looming in the background make for the quintessential African photography opportunities with the large herds and large tusked males which roam this corner of Kenya.

Penguins Cape Town — cape town has resident colonies of penguins

Cheetah Serengeti — cheetah thrive in the serengeti

Serian Ballooning — in January the masai mara is amazingly tranquel

Botswana

It’s green season which is considered to be one of the best times of year to visit Botswana for game viewing in the Central Kalahari and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. It plays host to the second largest movement of zebra after the Great Migration in Tanzania and Kenya and also one of the largest migrations of flamingos in Africa. It’s a photographer’s dream, landscapes are filled with brilliant green foliage, impressively dramatic skies and with an abundance of plains game having their young, predators are looming not far behind.

Uganda and Rwanda

January is predominantly dry with minimal rainfall in the gorgeous national parks in Uganda and Rwanda. Temperatures can get quite high, reaching 40c with warm evenings and nights. This is a great time of year for chimpanzee and mountain gorilla trekking as the ground is more solid and visibility is clearer. It is also brilliant for keen birders as there can be over 1,000 different species found in Uganda alone.

Makgadikgadi Pans In Botswana — Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana

Gorilla Tracking — gorilla trekking in rwanda and uganda

For more inspiration, take a look at our 26 favourite safari holidays, our best African honeymoon ideas or our top family safari holidays.

Planning a safari holiday? Give our friendly experts a call on 01768 603 715 or fill in our enquiry form.

Check out these

Amazing trip ideas for January

South Africa Safari Adventure

Sabi Sand
Madikwe
Tswalu Kalahari
Cape Town

14 days
From £15,803 ^pp.

Ultimate Uganda

Murchison
Kibale
Rwenzoris
Queen Elizabeth
Bwindi

14 days
From £8,054 ^pp.

A Simple Safari in Southern Tanzania

Nyerere
Ruaha
Zanzibar

11 days
From £3,360 ^pp.

Kenya Big Five Safari & Beach Honeymoon

Nairobi
Samburu
Mara North Conservancy
Diani Beach

13 days
From £6,038 ^pp.

01 Jacks Camp Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Botswana

Luxury Tented Botswana Safari: Okavango Delta & Makgadikgadi

Okavanga Delta
Makgadikgadi Pan

10 days
From £14,123 ^pp.

Speak with our safari experts today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315

Enquire Now

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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

Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & 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

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

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