Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia are all great choices for a safari in September. It’s the end of the Dry season and wildlife viewing is generally superb throughout East and southern Africa.
See below for an overview of the best parks to visit in Africa by country. Please note that the listings focus on the most popular parks only and are not comprehensive.
As September is the end of the Dry season, it is a great month to go on safari. However, if you want to experience some of Africa’s iconic safari highlights you need to plan carefully. Read on for some tips on where to go on an Africa safari in September.
Whale Festival, South Africa
Southern right whales stay in the waters of the southern Cape of South Africa to breed between July to October. The best time and place to see them is around August to September in Hermanus. During this time the ‘whale-crier’ wanders along the town’s waterfront to announce their whereabouts. Although it’s a quaint tradition, you probably won’t need his help; the number of whales that can be seen at close quarters from the cliff paths is phenomenal. Plan your trip to coincide with the annual whale festival to partake in the week-long festivities in honor of these remarkable creatures.
September, at the end of the Dry season, is a special time to visit Katavi NP. After several months of drought, the Katuma River is reduced to a narrow stream and wildlife, usually dispersed throughout the reserve, gathers on the floodplains. Most remarkable is the number of hippos that jostle for space in the remaining pools. The stagnant water is thick with mud and feces, and dramatic interactions unfold when bulls fight for their territories. Crocodiles pile in together with the hippos, but as the heat builds up, they dig caves functioning as cool shelters in the riverbank.
The Wildebeest Migration Arrives in Masai Mara, Kenya
Depending on the rains, by September the Masai Mara in Kenya is the best place to witness the world-famous wildebeest migration. Many of the big herds have crossed the Mara River, separating the Serengeti from the Masai Mara. You’re still likely to see a river crossing in September, but you’re best-off being on the Kenya side now. Watching thousands of wildebeest scrambling across the crocodile-infested river is a sight to behold. After the crossings the wildebeest, and accompanying zebras and gazelles, gather to resume their journey north. Predators obviously follow suit. This is where all the drama unfolds.
Elephants Assemble in Big Numbers in Tarangire, Tanzania
The tail-end of the Dry season is an amazing time to be in Tarangire NP. The elephant concentration in the park reaches phenomenal levels in September. The Tarangire River is a magnet for all wildlife in the region, and migrating elephants gather here from far and wide. Water-loving creatures as they are, you can see them drinking, bathing and splashing across the river as soon as the midday sun starts beaming down on them. It’s worth spending some time at the great vantage points that double as picnic spots to watch elephants in a picture-perfect setting.
