Where to go on safari in November

November needs some careful thought and planning when travelling to Africa. It is the start of the rains around mid-late November but it’s one of the best times to visit Botswana and Zimbabwe, especially Mana Pools in early November being a real hidden gem to travel to. November is a good time of year for those looking to save a little on their safari experiences as quite a few lodges and camps will reduce their rates to encourage more visitors during the start of the quiet safari season.

Botswana

As you go through the dry seasons in Botswana - May-October the game viewing gets increasingly better as the water holes dry up and wildlife congregates. The rains often fall middle to end of November so the first two weeks of November can result in the best game viewing but shoulder season prices. Be wary it can be warm at this time of year, but you will be rewarded. November also combines well with Cape Town and the Garden route.

Zimbabwe, Zambia and the Zambezi River

Mid-November does see the coming of the rainy season in Zambia and Zimbabwe, but if you time it right and head earlier in the month, you could be rewarded with phenomenal sightings as the wildlife will be very much concentrated around the precious water sources and the Zambezi River itself. A trip to Victoria Falls is also rewarding at this time of year as the water levels are reasonably low meaning you can take a dip in the Devil’s Pool which is perched right on the very edge of the world-famous waterfall.

South Africa

Coming into early summer with spectacular thunderstorms brewing, it brings relief to the dry African bushveld which has now started to lose its drab winter colour and a carpet of greenery begins to appear.

This also the start of the lambing season, where herds of impala give birth, gathering together to form large nursery herds for safety in numbers, as big cats and other predators make the most of an abundance of food to feed their own young families. The infamous Kruger National Park with its high wildlife populations make for a great safari destination, as well as the private concessions of the Sabi Sands. But, don’t discount Kwa Zulu Natal as there are some fantastic safari options here also.

Malawi

As with the rest of Southern Africa, Malawi is playing host to a whole myriad of visiting migratory birds which have flown south from the northern hemisphere winter months. If you’re a keen birder than Malawi should be considered.

Not commonly considered as a diving destination, Malawi boasts some of the best fresh-water diving in the world. The calm, clear, shark-less and tide-less Lake Malawi is teeming with tropical fish with a population of over 1000 different species make for a great diving experience. In some areas night dives are a real highlight as Malawian dolphin fish take advantage of the torchlight and feed on the brightly coloured tropical fish.

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