What season to South Africa: I bid once too often at a charity event and now have 😉 to go on a week long photo safari in the eastern portion of South Africa. We will be 275 km (170...

chuck1376

I bid once too often at a charity event and now have 😉 to go on a week long photo safari in the eastern portion of South Africa. We will be 275 km (170 miles) north of Durban near the Indian Ocean. Will also be spending time in and around Cape town.

I am a lurker and have read about equipment and have somewhat of a handle on that so leave part that alone. What I want to know is which season is best to go. We should have time to plan.

toxdoc42

We have been searching and found the answer is it depends on what you are interested in. We were told it is always good, but of you can get to the great migration, it is best. We are going to Tanzania and East Africa in late February since that is within the migration time there.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Forgive if this is a "duh" question, but if your trip is with a commercial photo safari business, would it be a good idea to contact them? Otherwise, there is quite a bit of information on Durban via Google. One weather report:

Durban easily averages about 320 days of sunshine a year. The seemingly endless humid summers (December till March) are hot and winters are warm and sunny. Light rain falls throughout the year, although summer is the wettest season.

During the month of May, June, July, August, September and October you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) and 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).
On average, the warmest month is February.
On average, the coolest month is July.
January is the wettest month. This month should be avoided if you are not a big fan of rain.
June is the driest month.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Their seasons are directly opposite those in the US; i.e., their December Christmas weather is like our mid-summer weather; Spring here is Fall there. This information is based on experience of going to the Antarctic with the Navy man, many years ago and enjoying a trip to Kenya in the mid 80's.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Floyd wrote:

Their seasons are directly opposite those in the US; i.e., their December Christmas weather is like our mid-summer weather; Spring here is Fall there. This information is based on experience of going to the Antarctic with the Navy man, many years ago and enjoying a trip to Kenya in the mid 80's.

Kenya is almost 3,000 miles north of Durban, South Africa; I didn't check the road map to Antarctica

chuck1376

[quote=Linda From Maine]Forgive if this is a "duh" question, but if your trip is with a commercial photo safari business, would it be a good idea to contact them? Otherwise, there is quite a bit of information on Durban via Google.

Did all that already. May not be able to repeat trip and was interested to hear from others visiting the general area. Kenya and Tanzania are both a long way north and probably of limited revelance. The "guide" service had confusing info. Anecdotal info from other shooters as to when they experienced success--especially if they have had several trips.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

Do NOT go during anything near the rain season.
A pair of friends of mine had taken a motorcycle trip thru Zambia.
They got a "good deal" on a late tourist season ticket bundle.
EVERYthing was flooded. EVERYbody asked them: "Why you here now?"
They had some interesting stories, and some photos.
Sleeping up in the trees to avoid the hippos at night.
Riding down the game trails, on the lookout for snakes and deer like things ... lion. Lion. LionLionLion.
Yelling at each other "Don't speed up!" "Don't fall down!" "Keep going!"
Do NOT bring any animal for any reason. Don't care. Unless it's your ex's.

margaretnewell

As I live in a Durban perhaps I can be of some help. It sounds as though you will be going to the Hluhluwe/Umfolosi area. It is extremely hot and humid in our summer months, temperatures often reaching into the high 30 degrees Celsius and humidity can also reach near 100%. The rainy season is also in the summer months but currently we are experiencing severe droughts so that may be irrelevant. On the other hand Cape Town receives rain in our winter months. So from a weather point of view April would be an ideal time to visit, but in the game parks if we have had good summer rains the grass and bush may be quite dense. If you will be traveling in a proper game viewing vehicle with a guide then that will not be such an issue. Hope this helps you with your choice.

RSGraffix

chuck1376 wrote:

I bid once too often at a charity event and now have 😉 to go on a week long photo safari in the eastern portion of South Africa. We will be 275 km (170 miles) north of Durban near the Indian Ocean. Will also be spending time in and around Cape town.

I am a lurker and have read about equipment and have somewhat of a handle on that so leave part that alone. What I want to know is which season is best to go. We should have time to plan.

June through to August are considered to be the best times for game viewing in Southern Africa. It is winter when the bush is dry and not as dense, the temperatures are in the mid 20's Celsius. Animals are more visible as they will generally only look for shade at midday. As there is little surface water they will use waterholes and other permanent water sources.

Cape Town has winter rains while Durban has summer rains but being coastal cities they can experience rains at any time of the year as well. Rain storms in Southern Africa general only last for a few hours and then the sky clears but it is possible to have a few days of cloudy and overcast conditions.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I as in South Africa in early October. Our trip organizer, who lives there and is a professional photographer, told us that June through October is the dry season, and while things get more lush once the rainy season starts, it is much harder to see the wildlife. We had to layer our clothing - in the mornings, it was cool enough, especially riding in open vehicles, that a stocking hat was also essential.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Contact Sylvias on this forum. She frequently goes to South Africa and has posted some great photos on UHH.

chuck1376

[quote=margaretnewell]As I live in a Durban perhaps I can be of some help. It sounds as though you will be going to the Hluhluwe/Umfolosi area. It is extremely hot and humid in our summer months,

Thank you. Informative and VERY relevant. You read and responded to my request.

Rhinophoto Loc: Davis, CA

Our first trip to Africa was triggered by winning a stay at a lodge called Zulu-Nyala; it sounds similar to the trip you've won. It proved to be an excellent introduction to African safari life.
There are many factors to take into account when you time your safari. Weather (hot, cooler, wetter, dryer) is a big one. That also relates to when insects - and the diseases some carry - are most troublesome in some areas. Spring you may get more newborn animals to see; Fall you may see more animals when leaves are off the trees. If birds are a big target for you, make sure you are there when the migrants are.
Have a great time!

guardineer

Our daughter was there in August, great weather and the dry season vegetation made viewing easy. We all used the 'Whats App' to communicate and send photos.

stuparr935 Loc: Dallas, Texas area

If possible, the only time you want to go is during the Migration Season. This is when you will see, and be able to photograph, the most animals. My best experience was in Tanzania near the East boarder along the Mara River. A long lens of 300 mm or longer is a necessary for the best photos... have fun.