Seasons in Africa are opposite of North American seasons. The climate is divided into dry and wet seasons: it is predominantly dry from April to October, and wet from November to March.

Depending on the region, spring runs from September through November, summer runs from December through February, autumn runs from March through May, and winter runs from June through August.

In our experience, the best general months for an African safari are September, October, March, and April as the temperatures aren’t scorching hot.

Most countries in southern Africa are well-developed and completely safe for tourism, but it is advisable to refrain from walking around at night by yourself or straying into informal settlements (locally known as townships).

However, some central and northern African countries are a little more complicated or politically unstable. It is important to be aware of these challenges before booking a trip. Chat to one of our travel consultants who can give you the most up-to-date, on-the-ground information you need. Your relevant government travel advisory warnings are also a great indication of whether a country is safe to visit at that time.

Despite the large distances, travelling around most of Africa is fairly straightforward with a reasonably well-organized network of public transport, tour operators, taxis, uber, local airlines, and a good range of car rental companies.

The only weak point is public transport in urban areas, which is almost universally poor and often dangerous. It’s virtually impossible to get to the national parks and places off the beaten track by public transport; even if you do manage, you’re likely to need a car once you’re there, which is why we suggest a packed tour with a tour operator.

Today, cell phones are as common in South Africa and Nigeria as they are in the United States. Smartphones (those that can access the internet and applications) are less widely used and remain in the minority across several African nations. South Africa has the biggest percentage of smartphone users across Africa with an estimated 51% of adults owning smartphones.