Best Safari Destinations to Visit from January to March

In this article we will look into some of the best safari destinations to visit from January to March for an African Safari Holiday, highlighting the places’ unique experiences. Be it Kenya’s Maasai Mara or Uganda’s Gorilla Trekking to the waterways of the Okavango Delta.

The Appeal of Safari During January – March

Being the beginning of the year for most places in Africa this marks the end of the short rains. The green landscapes and favorable weather conditions,s make it an ideal time for safari. Lodges and camps also happen to be quieter offering more exclusive and intimate experiences for travelers. The season also happens to be the calving season for many herbivores which provides a rare and dramatic opportunity to witness newborn animals and the predators that come with the vulnerability of the young ones. For bird watchers, this is an excellent period as many migratory birds are present due to the green vegetation and water availability.

Best Places to Visit in Africa from January to March for Safaris

Below, we will explore specific destinations across Africa, detailing what makes each one special from January to March.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is Kenya’s top safari destination located in the southwestern region bordering Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park to the south. The reserve lies approximately 270 kilometers from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Maasai Mara National Reserve is home to large numbers of Lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, African Buffalo, Wildebeest, giraffes, Zebra, and many more animals found in the park in their natural habitat.

Why visit Maasai Mara From January to March?

Maasai Mara’s low season begins from about November to March. This happens to be the best season for birdwatchers to visit the reserve. The reserve has more than 500 recorded bird species. During this period migratory birds come to the Mara from Europe to spend their winter here. It also happens to be the calving season for several herbivores. The reserve is less crowded and offers the most scenic lush landscapes with the best light of the year for photography.

How much is a Maasai Mara Safari between January to March?

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	250-500/night	Calving season, Big Five	Game drives, birdwatching	Warm days, cool nights
February	250-500/night	Elephant herds, predator activity	Game drives, cultural tours	Warm and dry
March	250-500/night	Green landscapes, birdwatching	Game drives, birdwatching	Mild, end of rainy season

How to Get to Maasai Mara

You could fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, then take a domestic flight which will take approximately 40 to 45 minutes to the reserve. The Reserve has numerous airstrips and serves many flights from either Nairobi (Flying Safaris from Nairobi) or Mombasa (Flying Safaris from Mombasa) for guests visiting.

You could also go by road. It’s a 5-hour drive from Nairobi if you drive in our 4×4 Land Cruiser Jeeps.

Maasai Mara National Reserve Seasons

• The best time to visit the Maasai Mara for general wildlife viewing is from January to March.
• The high season which is from July to October, happens to be the busiest months due to the wildebeest migration.

Maasai Mara National Reserves’ Entry fees

Maasai Mara National Reserve and Narok County updated the entry fee structure of the Maasai Mara Reserve, to accommodate two distinct travel seasons: January 1st to June 30th and July 1st to December 31st. We have highlighted in detail the entry fees to Maasai Mara.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Located in Tanzania and covering 14,763 kilometers stretching north to Kenya and bordering Lake Victoria to the west is Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti National Park has the highest concentration of large mammalian animals on this planet.

It’s famous for two things; one being its 2,500 Lions, the largest concentration found anywhere, and the second being the Great Wildebeest Migration which has wildebeests migrating yearly from Serengeti National Park to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The park is home to over 518 identified bird species.

Why Visit the Serengeti National Park from January to March?

With fewer tourists, you can enjoy unobstructed views of wildlife without the large crowds. The lodges, camps, and other accommodations tend to be less crowded and may offer lower rates than during the peak months. Between January and March, the park offers a unique and unforgettable safari experience, as it coincides with some of the most important and dramatic wildlife events in the park.

• Calving Season – This is a period when thousands of wildebeests and zebras give birth to their calves. It usually takes place between January and March every year. This is a vital season and period for the survival of the wildebeest species. The calving season also attracts predators, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, and hyenas, which take advantage of the large number of vulnerable young animals.
• Bird Watching (Migratory Birds) – This is an excellent time for those interested in migratory species. Many migratory birds such as European rollers, Marabou Storks and greater flamingos get to the park during this time due to the favorable weather and abundant food. Already being home to over 500 species of birds the migratory birds offer a diverse mix of colors and sounds.

How much is a Serengeti Safari between January to March?

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	300-600/night	Calving wildebeest, predators	Game drives, photography	Green, lush landscapes
February	300-600/night	Predator-prey interaction	Game drives, hot air balloon	Warm and dry
March	300-600/night	Migratory birds, lush scenery	Game drives, guided walks	Mild, occasional rains

How to get to Serengeti National Park

By Air (Flying to Serengeti)

International Flights to Tanzania: Most international travelers will first need to fly into Tanzania’s main international airports, such as:

• Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam
• Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha
• Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) if you’re coming from Zanzibar

Domestic Flights to Serengeti:

• A flight from Arusha to Seronera takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

By Road:- 

• From Arusha: The drive takes approximately 5 to 7 hours depending on the road conditions and the route you take.
• From Nairobi, Kenya: If you’re coming from Nairobi in Kenya, you can travel by road to Serengeti, but this requires an international border crossing into Tanzania. The journey takes about 7-8 hours.

Serengeti Safari Seasons

Generally, Serengeti National Park is best to visit in the dry-season months of July – October when the parks are dry and wildlife viewing is dramatic, easy, and action-packed.The best time to visit the Serengeti National Park is between July and August. Although it’s still okay to visit other months, the best prime season is between July and August during the great wildebeest migration.

• The best time to visit the Serengeti for general wildlife viewing is from January to March.
• The high season is highly visited during Christmas and school holidays.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is considered one of the world’s largest inland deltas located in Botswana. It covers approximately 6 to 15,000 sq kilometers of the Kalahari Desert in northern Botswana.

Why visit the Okavango Delta during this green season?

This green season, it’s the best period for birdwatching as the delta becomes home to several migratory birds like carmine bee-eaters, kingfishers, and stoke,s and several raptors and water birds as well. The period also receives fewer visitors and creates a more exclusive and intimate safari experience. With fewer tourists, you may find better rates and deals on accommodations and tours. This season also sees the birthing season for several animals for example antelopes and zebras. With this happening there are predator-prey interactions due to the vulnerability of the young animals being born.

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	400-700/night	Rising water levels, birdlife	Mokoro safaris, boat trips	Warm with occasional rains
February	400-700/night	Aquatic wildlife, birdwatching	Mokoro safaris, fishing	Warm, occasional showers
March	400-700/night	Flourishing vegetation, wildlife	Boat trips, nature walks	Warm, green season

Seasons

• High water season (May to October): This is the best time for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around the water sources. The delta is at its fullest from June to August, offering the best mokoro rides and boat safaris.
• Low water season (November to April): While wildlife disperses due to abundant water, this is an excellent time for bird watching and seeing newborn animals.

Getting There

• Charter flights are available from Maun or Kasane. For international flights, Maun is well-connected.
• Most of the camps can be accessed by road but most of everything is accessible by air or boat.

Amboseli National Park, Kenya

The Amboseli National Park is located in the southeast region of Nairobi, Kenya. The park is well known for its herd of big-tusked elephants and views of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is Kenya’s second most popular national park coming after Maasai Mara National Reserve.

 

Why visit Amboseli National Park from January to March?

This being the wet season it brings a variety of migratory birds to Amboseli, making it a great time for birdwatching. You can see things such as flamingos, pelicans, and waterfowl along with many others. Due to it being the wet season this results in a quieter and more exclusive safari experience since there are fewer crowds which also has camps and lodges often offer lower rates.

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	200-450/night	Elephant herds, Mount Kilimanjaro	Game drives, photography	Warm and dry
February	200-450/night	Scenic views, large mammals	Cultural tours, game drives	Warm and dry
March	200-450/night	Bird migration, lush greenery	Nature walks, game drives	Mild, occasional rains

Getting To Amboseli National Park

Through the road from Nairobi, the driving time is 3 hours and 58 minutes while a flight is 42 minutes away.

 

5. Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Regarded as one of the most remarkable natural spectacles in Africa, The Ngorongoro Crater is located in Tanzania and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered to be the eighth wonder in the world and is sometimes referred to as Africa’s Garden of Eden. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area comprises the Ngorongoro Crater, two smaller craters (Empakaai and Olmoti), eight extinct volcanoes, and part of the Serengeti plains. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, and Kenya’s Maasai Mara make up the Serengeti Ecosystem. The crater is 100 sq kilometers wide and home to about 25,000 animals.

Why visit the crater during this season?

For one January to March is the calving season for many large herbivores. This increases the chances of witnessing dramatic predator-prey interactions. It is also a good time to see the big five as well as other animals like hippos, flamingos, and hyenas in their natural habitats. Being the wet season there is a good number of migratory birds due to the availability of water and food. There are also fewer tourists making everything seem more intimate.

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	350-650/night	Dense wildlife, scenic views	Crater tours, game drives	Mild and green
February	350-650/night	Black rhino sightings, calving season	Crater tours, photography	Mild and dry
March	350-650/night	Migratory birds, lush vegetation	Walking safaris, crater visits	Mild, occasional rains

Getting there

By road, the crater is about 180 kilometers from Arusha making it approximately a 4 to 5 hours’ drive. By air, you can take a flight from Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha to either Lake Manyara Airport or to Ngorongoro Airstrip which is closer.

Seasons

Dry season which is from June to October is a great time for wildlife viewing as the animals gather around water sources. The wet season that is from November to May is great for birdwatchers as well due to the calving season.

Related Blogs:

• Wildebeest Calving Season Safari

•  Ngorongoro Accommodation

6. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Located on the edge of the Rift Valley in the southwestern region of Uganda is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is estimated to be home to 459 mountain gorillas. It also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals which includes primates like baboons and chimpanzees as well as elephants and antelopes. There are about 350 species of birds and at least 200 butterfly species.

 

Why visit during this short dry season?

Gorilla trekking is way better since the paths are drier making it easier to move around and makes the visibility in the forest clearer. With fewer visitors, it’s generally easier to secure gorilla trekking permits and preferred accommodations. The season is excellent for bird watchers, as many birds are more active and easier to spot in the drier conditions. Experiencing the local communities, such as the Batwa pygmies, is more accessible during this time, as the weather facilitates cultural tours and village visits.

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	400-800/night	Gorilla trekking, lush forest	Gorilla treks, nature walks	Mild, occasional rains
February	400-800/night	Primate sightings, birdlife	Gorilla treks, guided walks	Cool, dry
March	400-800/night	Rainforest scenery, gorilla tracking	Gorilla treks, photography	Mild, occasional showers

Getting There

The park is approximately an 8-to-9-hour drive from Entebbe by road and just an hour and 10 minutes by chartered flights from Entebbe International Airport.

Seasons

High season/ peak season for gorilla trekking is from mid-June through October and from December through to March. Though the mountain gorillas can be trekked all year long.

Park Fees

Entry per person

Foreign Non-Residents – FNR	Foreign Residents – FR	East African Citizens – EAC
USD$40	USD$30	UGX20,000

Related Blogs:

• Best Time to go Gorilla Trekking
• What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking

• Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

7. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is located in Rwanda spanning on 160 sq kilometers in the northern part of Rwanda. It’s part of the great Virunga volcano conservation region that covers the Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga gorilla National Park in Uganda. The park is well known for gorilla trekking, sheltering the highest number of mountain gorillas in the Virunga Conservation area. The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori mountains and the Virungas.

Why visit in the dry season?

This is the best time for Gorilla trekking as the paths are drier making it easier and more comfortable to navigate through. Besides trekking to see the mountain gorillas the golden monkeys are also easier to see during this season. This period may coincide with local festivals and events, providing an opportunity to experience Rwandan culture more and with the favourable weather it’s easier to visit the local communities and cultural sites.

Month	Price Range (USD)	Attractions	Activities	Climate & Weather
January	500-900/night	Gorilla trekking, volcanic scenery	Gorilla treks, cultural visits	Cool, dry
February	500-900/night	Primate watching, scenic hikes	Gorilla treks, nature walks	Cool, dry
March	500-900/night	Lush landscapes, primate encounters	Gorilla treks, cultural tours	Mild, occasional showers

Getting There

The drive to Volcanoes national park is about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali. There are chartered flights available from Kigali International Airport to the Musanze airstrip, which is about 5 minutes from the park.

Park Fees

Foreigners	Foreign residents	Rwanda citizens	EAC citizens and residents
75 USD	60 USD	55 USD	65$

Related Blogs:

• Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

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