We’re of the school of thought that there’s never a bad time to come to Africa. That being said, it’s helpful to understand the nuances of the different seasons across the continent – as climates and terrains vary so greatly from country to country.

The better informed you are, the better you can plan the perfect itinerary for your interests. We have extensive knowledge of Southern and East Africa, and safari is an area of expertise for the Steadfast team, so if you need guidance in designing your timing, you’ve come to the right place.

What is ‘green season’ exactly?

Green season is an industry term for the period in safari regions that occurs over the warm rainy months – ‘green’ a reference to the lushness of the landscape and abundance of foliage and grass as a result of the rains at this time of year.

For Southern African countries, this falls between November and April. In East Africa it spans from November to December (short rains) and April to May (long rains). While also in East Africa, Rwanda and Uganda are slightly different due to topography and their rainy season is slightly longer – occurring from October to December and March to May.

Remember too, that some lodges (region dependent) become inaccessible in the rainy season, so make sure to do your due diligence before choosing your green season accommodation. This is where we come in…

What makes it low season…

This period is generally considered low season in that from a game viewing point of view it’s not the best time of year – with game occasionally obscured by taller grasses and new leaves in trees, it makes it harder to spot and watch.

The abundance of water also means there are more options for grazing and drinking (more plentiful waterholes) so the game doesn’t gather en masse as it sometimes does during the dry months. This doesn’t mean game is sparse however, it’s merely more spread out – nothing an experienced guide can’t handle.

The upsides of green season

Even though it’s not considered a peak season, there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ time to go on safari and each season has something going for it. And in when it comes to green season, there are many factors that make a strong case for timing your trip during this period.

For one, there are a lot of baby animals being born. For some travellers, this in itself is a drawcard, but it also means increased predator activity. Green season is a good time for twitchers too – migrant flock arrivals means you’re spoilt for choice for bird spotting.

Parks are also quieter at this time of year – and as a result, more peaceful. What this also means is there is a higher availability for accommodation (and thus more choice) as well as lower rates.

Prime time for photographers

For photographers, the Green Season is a dream – the golden light and clear skies make everything look especially lush and vibrant. And there is plenty to capture if you’re patient, from the abundant baby animals and birds to action-packed predator pursuits.