Where to safari in June

June heralds the start of winter, dry weather and the peak safari season across most of the destinations in Africa. Regardless of where you choose to go, you will have a great experience, with dry warm days and little to no rain across the region. Animals begin to gather around water sources making game viewing far easier. Temperatures drop in the evenings and mornings when it can be cool, so make sure to pack a warm jacket, gloves and a scarf for nights spent around the campfire and game viewing from open vehicles. All of the intimate, wonderful and remote bush camps are open in June so you will be spoilt for choice!

In South Africa, Cape Town can be the exception to the rule of a dry winter and can be cold and wet at this time of year. The weather around the Kruger National Park, however, is great with warm and dry days but chilly mornings and nights.

Our beloved Botswana is superb throughout June, and the majority of camps are still offering mid-season rates, making it a great time to visit and save a few dollars. As the land dries the game animals leaves the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which start to lose their appeal, and make their way towards the life-sustaining waters of the Okavango Delta. The Okavango is now in flood and looking exceptional, with phenomenal game viewing in most areas. This is the start of best time for water-based activities in the Okavango Delta. Herds of elephant and buffalo start to fill up the riverfront areas of the Chobe and Linyanti rivers.

June in Namibia is dry with very little chance of rain. The days are warm, but the nights can be cool. This is the time of year which marks the start of prime game viewing season, as wildlife is forced to remain close to permanent water sources. This creates the ‘Noah’s Ark’ scene Etosha is famous for! Namibia is generally good value for money, but with the start of peak season it is busier, and reservations are best made well in advance.

Zambia is famous for walking safaris, fantastic wildlife and remote bush camps. All of these once again become readily accessible in the dry season, opening a whole new avenue of adventure. South Luangwa National Park is well known for walking safaris in the now-dry riverbed, fly camping under the stars, big cats, and an all-around fantastic wildlife experience that is hard to beat. The Lower Zambezi National Park offers a multitude of activities that are second to none, whilst Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park is one of the best places in Africa for predator action, although its better towards the end of the dry season.

In east Africa most of the parks will be open and game viewing is exceptional. The southern Tanzania circuit is starting to dry out and in Ruaha National Park animals slowly move from the miombo highlands to the plains around the great Ruaha River. The herds in the Serengeti is now in the Grumeti Reserves and the Grumeti River crossings make for some spectacular sightings.

The table below indicates the locations which we rate as the best and good in June.