Where to Go for a Safari in September? The peak of the peak safari season is vanishing – and while still facing wildlife, the dry season continues and temperatures begin to rise. Expect September Bushveld to be dusty and warm, with epic wildlife encounters. This article will discuss some useful info about Safari in September.
Safari in September
Although you can expect warm days, be sure to pack those scarves, gloves, and beans for a game drive – as the cooler weather still passes through the fronts before and after – especially at high altitudes and bodies near the water for Safari in September.
From mid-morning and most of the daylight, short sleeves are the norm, with temperatures during the hot days from mid-thirties to mid-thirties (Celsius) at Safari in September.
Pack high-factor sun lotions, hats, and sunglasses to protect you from that intense sun. Mosquitoes are usually not an issue, but we recommend that you take careful prophylaxis during this period.
Find Discount
The scarcity of water means that animals gather from any source in the landscaped landscape – especially water-dependent species such as elephants, buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra for Safari in September
And of course, lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs, and hyenas are waiting for this easy meal and this is a great time to watch their action as they target thirsty victims.
This concentration of wildlife close to water sources makes their movements more predictable which means your guide will have an easier time finding them for you.
It is associated with many trees and shrubs that have no leaves and the branches of the grass have dried up – so it is much easier to see the animals than the rain.
The Mediterranean is entering Cape Town and the Garden Route during the springtime but you can expect some cool and wet weather in September.
South Africa
September is a great time to visit the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa for all of the above reasons for Safari in September.
The national park is busy all year long, and we recommend the private archive at the west end of the park, where privacy enhances the experience.
Great guides increase your chances of finding the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo). There is no fence between the park and these private archives, so wildlife roams all over the region.
In South Africa, we also recommend giving the Madikwe Game Reserve a safari in September. Not only is it a malaria-free zone, but it’s also a great place to look for the Big 5 and other endangered species such as leopards, wild dogs, and brown hyenas.
Again in South Africa, the southern right whales are involved in their own migration, now sailing from the Cape coast and spending time to rest.
The whales are seen all along the coast from Cape Town to the park’s route, but the best and most reliable sights are Hermanas, an hour’s seaside town on the road from Cape Town.
Also near Cape Town, the spring flowering season begins in full swing, with floral flowers on the entire west coast – from city to car in one to three hours.
Boat-based whales watching over the Cape Coast
September is also a great time to visit Botswana anywhere. The annual Okavango Delta floodwaters from the Angolan Highlands begin to subside, but the wonderland of these waters is still vivid.
Far from flood-prone areas, the bush is very dry and dusty, with wildlife becoming excellent sights on permanent water sources such as the Chew River and the northern floodplains assembling perennial rivers.
In Zambia, it is leopard-centered in the Luangwa Valley and Kafue National Park is in full safari mode in September
Seasonal bush camps in the South Luangwa National Park are a special treat for weekly safari travelers and walking safari enthusiasts.
Zimbabwe’s safari season is also in full swing, with Havaje National Park attracting large numbers of elephants, lions, and other species that are attracted to pump water, and Mana Pools National Park offers some of the best elephants and wild dog breeds.
And then there is Victoria Falls for both Zambian and Zimbabwe, which are open for business all year round and are a must for any serious Africa fanatics, and Safari in September.
East and Central Africa
In September, it was observed that the cattle of the Great Wildebeest migrate across the Maria River and spread like flies on the broad plains of Masai Mara, Kenya.
You can still catch the tail end of the river crossing, but most herds are now grazing on nourishing green grass and tracking lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas for years. Pack your hat, as the weather will stay warm and dry.
In Tanzania, the dry season is peaking, and the main livestock of the Great Migration has entered Kenya, with Serengeti still providing continued wildlife activity.
It is well worth seeing the lesser-known Northern Circuit reserves of Tarangire and Lake Mainera, such as the Southern Circuit Ratna Sales, Rouhaha, and Katavi.
Tracking is now best for Uganda’s Bibindi Irrevocable National Park and Kibale National Park and Rwanda Volcano National Park’s mountain gorillas, shrimps, and gold monkeys,
For trekking lowland gorillas, head to Odjala-Kokoa National Park in Congo and save the humble monsters of the dry season along with other specialties like bongos, forest buffalo, and forest elephants.
For bird watchers, September is plenty of time in Uganda and Rwanda. Albertine Rift Endemics are tickled here, while the ultimate inventive avian jewelers such as green broadbills and Green-breasted pitchers are easy to breed and detect.
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