Considering where and when to go on a wildlife holiday can be very difficult. You may have a month or a place in mind, but finding experts who know whether it's the right season to visit is another task altogether.
With the help of cazenove+loyd's bespoke tours and specialist knowledge, we've put together a calendar that matches incredible wildlife locations with the best months to visit them. Simply click on each image for recommendations or consider the 'Top picks' to help you narrow things down.
January
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Top pick: Botswana
For birders, January is the very best time to visit. Migratory birds arrive in large numbers during green season and resident birds are more active and colourful. Many other animals are also born during this period, and with vulnerable young on the plains, predator activity also increases.
February
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Top pick: Tanzania
February is a great time to visit Tanzania as the famous wildebeest migration is typically in the southern Serengeti during calving season, offering incredible opportunities to witness the largest mammal migration on earth.
March
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Top pick: Kenya
With shorter savannah grasses, wildlife is easier to spot in March as animals gather around diminishing waterholes. The Maasai Mara features predators hunting young game, while birdwatching is exceptional in both the Mara and Laikipia.
April
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Top pick: The Galápagos Islands
Fewer crowds in April mean you get a perfect balance of weather and wildlife without the fuss. Water-based activities shine here, with everything from snorkelling, hiking and kayaking. Cazenove+loyd has access to a 16-passenger vessel that lets you explore remote islands few get to experience.
May
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Top pick: Namibia
May is an ideal time for safari tips to Damaraland, or private concessions near Etosha National Park, where wildlife is drawn to waterholes. Sparsely populated and with vast, wide-open spaces, this is a fantastic place to get away from it all.
June
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Top pick: São Tomé and Príncipe
Known as the Galápagos of Africa, here you can go hiking and spot killer whales and dolphins off the coast. June is also a brilliant time for birding and marks the start of the turtle nesting season. If you're after a wildlife location that's off the beaten track, this is the place to visit.
July
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Top pick: Uganda
As the weather becomes cooler and drier in July, this makes it one of the best months for gorilla trekking. It also offers ideal conditions for wildlife safaris to Queen Elizabeth National Park or Murchison Falls, where you might see elephants, lions and hippos.
August
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Top pick: Borneo
Home of the orangutan, Borneo is an exotic paradise of pristine rainforests and unique wildlife. The weather is warm and sunny in August, providing excellent conditions for trekking, wildlife spotting and sunny beach days.
September
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Top pick: Guyana
September falls in the dry season of Guyana, meaning you'll enjoy pleasant temperatures with minimal rainfall. It's also an underrated wildlife destination, as you can see jaguars, giant river otters, capybaras and hundreds of bird species.
October
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Top pick: South Africa
October's milder weather makes for excellent conditions to spot the Big Five on drives through expansive savannas and woodlands guided by knowledgeable rangers.
November
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Top pick: Madagascar
November is the start of the breeding seasons for many animals in Madagascar, so you'll have the chance to see young lemurs, chameleons and other species in their natural habitat. It's also an excellent time for birdwatching, as migratory species begin to arrive.
December
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Top pick: Belize
With warm temperatures, low humidity and little rainfall, Belize is the perfect escape from colder climates. December marks the beginning of the dry season, making it the best time to explore its stunning beaches and lush jungles. It's also a birdwatching paradise, offering some of the most diverse and captivating avian experiences in the world. You could see Belize's national bird, the keel-billed toucan, as well as raptors and tiny hummingbirds.
Where to go by season
Seeking seasonal inspiration?
- Easter Holidays
- May Half-Term
- Summer Holidays
- October Half-Term
- Christmas Holidays
- February Half-Term
- Spring Break
*Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on cazenove+loyd's website are ATOL protected (ATOL number 3208). ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on the website. See all terms and conditions here.
