October is a good time for a safari in East or southern Africa. Although it can be very hot, the wildlife viewing in Botswana, Zambia and Namibia is fantastic in October. In South Africa, this shoulder month brings lovely weather; perfect for a holiday here. It’s also the end of the Dry season in Kenya and Tanzania. This means great wildlife viewing here too, but note that some parks might be busy in October.
See below for an overview of the best parks to visit in Africa by country. Please note that the listings focus on the most popular parks only and are not comprehensive.
October is a great month to go on safari. Nature doesn’t follow a script and some highlights will be totally unexpected. However, there are many iconic seasonal events that can be planned for. Read on if you’re looking for some ideas of where to go on safari in October.
Animals Amass in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi, Zambia
If you can handle the heat, October is a fantastic time to explore Zambia’s parks. It is the end of the Dry season and, as the heat soars, animals are desperate for water. You can see huge herds of buffalo and elephants concentrating in South Luangwa NP. Wildlife viewing is equally impressive in Lower Zambezi NP. Canoe trips are especially exciting at this time as you may see thirsty animals approaching the water while navigating hippo pods. The first thunderstorms come as a relief. The soaring temperatures drop, the dust gets washed away and the hazy sky clears.
Kasanka NP is home to the world’s largest mammal migration, the Kasanka bat migration. Little is known about where the bats come from, but in late October every year, more than 8 million straw-colored bats descend on a patch of swamp forest. The timing corresponds with a variety of trees bearing fruits after the first rains. With a wingspan of about 1m/3ft, the fruit bats are enormous. Watching them leave their roost to fill the sunset sky is a sight to behold, but watching them return at dawn, jostling for space in the trees, is possibly more spectacular.
Etosha NP offers a very special wildlife-viewing experience in October. You can witness the much-photographed image of a variety of animals together at a waterhole. It isn’t unusual to see up to 10 species drinking together. Each of the waterholes is unique and has its own vibe. Some are known to be frequented by black rhinos, while others are favored by lions, who come to drink and hunt. If ever there was an opportunity to sit and watch all the action come to you, this is it. You don’t even need a lot of patience to get fantastic photos here.
October is overall a great month for a South African holiday. The country has plenty to offer; great safari parks, beautiful beaches, vibrant cities, fantastic hiking trails and much more. While there is no bad time to go to South Africa, it can be tricky to choose the best time overall. The winter months offer wonderful wildlife viewing, but the cold weather isn’t ideal to really enjoy all the country has to offer. October is the perfect compromise. The shoulder month marks the beginning of summer with lovely weather, but wildlife viewing is still good as animals haven’t dispersed yet.
