Why We Love the Green Season
We're letting you in on a little safari secret - We Love the Green Season! If you have no idea what the Green Season is, that's ok, we will fill you in. Suffice to say, if you've been pondering when to go on safari, or how to get the best value for your luxury safari adventure, the Green Season may be the answer you seek.
The Green Season can also be called the wet season, or rainy season in Africa. Its timing varies from East Africa to Southern Africa, and it can be the best time to go on safari!
In East Africa you have the short rains that often start in November, and then the long rains that often start in April. In Southern Africa (including Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) the Green Season can run from about December to March. Of course, anything to do with weather is unpredictable, and the timing of the rains fluctuates every year.
You may think that these warm, rainy months would be an unfavorable time of year to go on safari. However, many safari connoisseurs will argue that traveling during the Green Season is one of the best times to visit. Want to know why?
Baby Zebra by Kate Berg
"Having been to Africa during both High Season and Green Season, I can say they are equally amazing in different ways. They each have their own charm. It is less expensive during the Green Season; it is less crowded and best of all, there are lots of baby animals." - Lucille Sive, CEO Africa Division, The Travel Corporation
Top Reasons to Travel to Africa during the Green Season
Reason #1 - Baby Animals
Without a doubt, this is a huge reward for visiting during the Green Season. The start of the rains signals to the animals that food will soon be in abundance. This means it is the best time to have babies, so the wide-open plains of Kenya and Tanzania become filled with adorable cubs, pups, calves, foals and fawns. Similarly, the Green Season is a great time in southern African countries to spot babies, it's their natural cycle to give birth during times of plenty and forthcoming rains are a time to celebrate in the animal kingdom.
Reason #2 - Fewer People
Amazingly, with the arrival of new animals, there are fewer travelers. While Africa is known for its wide-open wild spaces any time of year, during the Green Season you may feel like you have your own personal paradise. In East Africa, for example, you may be out driving on safari for a couple of hours before you come across another safari vehicle.
At Tanzania Migration Camp - No Crowds, Except the Animals!
Reason #3 - It's Turning Green
If you arrive on safari when the Green Season is underway, you'll be blessed with a more colorful safari experience. Some, or most, of the classically dry scrublands and grasses will have come to life and turned green. For photographers, this can make for some more lively images.
Kudu in Chobe National Park, during the Green Season
"On one trip to Africa I visited Tanzania and Botswana at the start of their Green Seasons. In the Serengeti, we were surrounded by zebra and wildebeest as far as we could see, and not another safari vehicle in sight, it felt truly special! What I noticed most on that trip was the colors coming to life. It wasn't all dry and dusty like on my previous trip. Vegetation was coming to life, the smells were different, and it really made photography more exciting. The kudu photo above was one of my favorite shots taken during that Green Season trip." - Red Hunt, Lion World Travel
Reason #4 - Stretch Your Dollars Further
At Lion World Travel we are all about Affordable Luxury, and the Green Season enables you to get a little extra value. During peak season prices are at their highest. During low season, you'll get a better value. If you plan your safari for the start or end of the Green Season you may be rewarded with the combination of optimal wildlife viewing and lower prices. Perhaps use that saved money and put it towards a hot-air balloon ride or upgrade!
Reason #5 - The Migration is Always in Motion
We talked about baby animals already, but did you know that the migration in East Africa never stops? Since the seasonal rains vary, the enormous herds of zebra and wildebeest are always on the move. So, no matter what season you travel, if you're visiting both the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, you'll witness the greatest migration on earth.
The Migration never ends
Reason #6 - Perfect Timing with Holidays
With the Green Season covering the coldest months for Americans and Canadians, if you're yearning for more warmth, then the timing is perfect to escape part of winter in North America! As vacation days can be limited, having the Green Season cover popular holidays from American Thanksgiving through to spring break, means you have lots of opportunities to turn your holiday time into safari time.
Want to know more about the benefits of Green Season travel? Contact one of our Africa Specialists and we'll help you chose the best safari to match your travel preferences.