KwaZulu-Natal

The hottest, stickiest month of the year, so siestas are very much encouraged. Short, dramatic downpours keep the bush lush and the waterholes brimming, and the birdlife is spectacular. On the coast, hatchlings are still emerging from their nests on the beaches, and the warm, clear water makes for incredible snorkelling and diving.

The rains start to ease, and the heat softens a little, though the bush is still gloriously green. The young animals born in early summer are growing in confidence (and attracting plenty of attention from the predators). The last turtle hatchlings scramble for the sea, and the quieter roads and lodges make for a lovely, unhurried safari.

Autumn arrives with clearer skies, cooler mornings and noticeably less humidity. The impala rut gets going, filling the bush with the snorts and roars of rams squaring up to each other. With the rains behind you and the peak safari winter months still ahead, it’s one of the most comfortable (and underrated) months for a safari.

The dry season begins. The grass starts to thin, the bush opens up, and game viewing sharpens by the week as animals return to the rivers and waterholes. Days are warm and golden, mornings are crisp enough for a fleece, and the rut is still in full swing.

Winter is here! It’s peak safari season. Mornings are chilly (pack a beanie for early game drives), but the days are sunny and dry, and the thinning bush makes cheetahs, rhinos, and the rest of the Big Five much easier to spot. Offshore, the first humpback whales start cruising up the coast on their annual migration.

Clear blue skies, cool mornings, and wildlife gathering around the last of the water make July one of the very best months for a safari. Tracking rhinos on foot is a real highlight, and if you’re very lucky, you might even cross paths with a pangolin. On the coast, humpback whales are breaching just beyond the breakers.

One of the driest months of the year, with the bush at its sparsest and sightings at their most reliable. Predators are busy, the light is gorgeous, and the waterholes are rarely quiet. Out at sea, the humpback migration is in full swing, making it a fantastic time to pair your safari with a few nights on the coast.

Spring arrives, the days warm up, and the bush begins to stir, but it’s still dry, and game viewing remains amazing. Humpbacks (some with calves in tow) begin heading back south along the coast, and the first summer migrant birds start trickling in.

The first rains arrive, and the bush turns green almost overnight. Animals are in good condition after winter, migrant birds are arriving in droves, and whales are still passing offshore. It’s a quieter, beautifully fresh time to visit before the summer heat sets in.

It’s baby boom season. Impala give birth in a short, synchronised window, so suddenly wobbly lambs are everywhere (very good news for predators). On the coast, giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles start hauling themselves up the beaches to nest, making for an unforgettable night-time adventure.

Long, hot days, lush green bush and a festive buzz. The young animals are everywhere, afternoon storms bring dramatic skies, and the birding is as good as it gets. Turtle nesting is in full swing along the coast, so it’s the perfect time to pair your safari with a few barefoot days by the Indian Ocean.