For seasoned travellers giving an area a particular prime time can be difficult as sometimes it is not the general concentration of an area but a particular interaction, sighting or experience that will be you most memorable. As a safari guide and having guided all year round in different parks some of my most memorable encounters have been in the rainy season.

For Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe the period between April and October is most productive for wildlife concentrations. With water sources dry or dwindling wildlife congregates around the available water and often doesn’t venture too far from this valuable natural resource (dependant on home range and concentration). For those that don’t mind the odd thunderstorm of shower a safari between March and April is still productive in some areas like the Hwange and the Okavango Delta which are generally accessible all year round. South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi in Zambia, Mana Pools, Matusadonha and Gona Re Zhou in Zimbabwe and Nxai Pan, southern Chobe and parts of the Moremi and face access difficulties between December and March. From a photographic point of view however, the most rewarding photographs in Mana Pools for example are to be taken in January and February. The contrast of the vegetation with the clear light conditions is extraordinary. I have counted as many as 500 elephants and hundreds of antelope in one view on the Chikwenya floodplain on a January afternoon. Even though this is an unusual sighting these interesting views against the river and the green escarpment create a scene that is difficult to top. Please do not hesitate to contact our journey specialist to find out more about the areas that you would like to journey to and their prime time.