Shhh… The Secret Safari Season (That No One’s Talking About)
- Warrick Davey
- Apr 8
- 12 min read
Can we let you in on a little secret? There is a whisper that runs through the grasslands after the 4x4s drive off, a pause between the seasons - it's the moment when Africa exhales, the light gets golden, and the bush belongs only to those who really know.
This is Secret Safari Season. It’s not loud - it doesn’t need to be. It’s slow, soulful, and seriously underrated. It's when the air is still, the animals still curious, the prices drop and your guide says, “Take as much time as you want.” As having both been guides for many years in Africa, seeing the seasons come and go and ebb and flow, Chené and I have had front row seats to the magic of low season in the bush. You've likely thought to avoid it as you've been told you'll get wet, or the bush is too lush to see any animals, but let us tell you that the wonder of the wild and being on safari is still very much alive!
Sure, it can rain, but afternoon thundershowers and the golden glow of the sun breaking through the clouds afterwards is glorious. And yes, the bush can be green and dense, but the vibrancy and life it brings is food for the soul. The animals are still there, and very much able to be seen. You may, at times, have to work a little harder to find them, but interacting with your guide and tracker to follow the tracks and read the signs of the bush is one of the most impactful experiences you can have. Yeah, we think it's great, and it's one of the bush's best kept secrets.
We’re not knocking peak season in the bush, however, let's get that straight; it's the most popular time for a reason. It's when the migration roars over the Mara River, the Okavango's channels are at their fullest, and the temperate days find perfect balance. Game viewing is fantastic and you will be sure to have an incredible experience. But you pay for the perfection, not with just your wallet, but also in having to share the space with many more others. It is wonderful, no doubt, but we encourage those who have an adventurous soul to open your minds to something different... So, would you believe us if we told you that some of the most magical safari moments happen after the rush?
Take a minute or 5, and join us as we wander through the quiet corners and untapped months of Africa’s top safari destinations. Because the best time to go on safari might just be when no one else is.
Botswana | March to May
You know that smell after it rains? Earthy, fresh, wild? That’s Botswana in its Secret Season. From March through May, the summer heat begins to ease, the vegetation is lush and green, and there’s just enough drama in the skies to give you goosebumps - hello, moody sunsets and rolling thunderstorms.
This is when the Okavango Delta begins to breathe. Water trickles in from Angola, and the floodplains start filling up, giving way to water-based safaris. Picture gliding through lily-covered channels in a traditional mokoro as a herd of elephants drinks nearby. It’s cinematic, and you’re the only audience.
Where to go:
• Selinda & Linyanti – Big herds, big landscapes, zero traffic. If you’re looking for serious predator action with a side of exclusivity, this is it. The Selinda Reserve and Linyanti region, nestled between the Okavango Delta and Chobe, are the unsung heroes of Botswana safaris. Picture vast floodplains peppered with palm trees, meandering rivers, and game-rich woodlands. In secret season, you’ll have these predator hotspots - lions, leopards, wild dogs - all to yourself. The soft post-rain light adds a cinematic glow to every sighting, and the cooler air makes for dreamy, all-day game drives.
• Northern Okavango – Remote, watery, and ridiculously peaceful. This is the part of the Delta where the water arrives first, turning dry channels into lily-covered lagoons. Between March and May, it starts to come alive with the kind of quiet magic that makes you whisper instead of talk. Glide silently through the reeds in a mokoro, spy a sitatunga stepping through the shallows, and watch elephants splash in slow motion. It’s a place where the water meets the wild - and in the secret season, it’s all yours.
• Makgadikgadi – Salt pans stretching forever, with zebra migrations and meerkats to match. Think salt pans that shimmer to the horizon, ancient baobabs, and surreal silence. When the rains ease up, the pans start to dry and the landscape becomes otherworldly. March–May can still host remnants of the zebra migration - Africa’s second largest - and flocks of flamingos touch down on seasonal lakes. The sunsets here are next-level and the star-gazing is exceptional. This is a destination for dreamers and desert lovers.
Why go now?
Because you’ll get those front-row wildlife moments without peak season prices or crowds.
Specials available:
Great Plains Conservation offers a Stay 4 Pay 3 Special (one night free) in their exquisite lodges in Botswana, that's a 25% saving! Plus, all flights are included in the price, making for seriously good value in some of the best locations and camps in Botswana.
One of our favourite itineraries to do, offering exceptional value at this time of year, is our Sands To Delta itinerary, combining Botswana with South Africa and Victoria Falls. Find it here.
Zimbabwe | March–May & October
Zimbabwe comes alive in its own quiet rhythm - and if you time it right, you get two secret safari seasons.
In March and May Victoria Falls is at its dramatic best. The Zambezi River surges, mist rises high, and rainbows streak the sky. Meanwhile, in Hwange and Mana Pools, the last of the summer rains have passed, the wildlife starts moving in toward water sources and game viewing gets very good. October sees a season that is hot, dry, and buzzing with life. Predators are active, water is scarce, and you’re right in the thick of it, but still outside of the classic peak.
Where to go:
• Victoria Falls – Stay dry on a river cruise, get soaked at the falls - your choice. It’s not called Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”) for nothing. In March and April, the Falls are roaring at full throttle. Mist rises like clouds, rainbows dance through the spray, and the rumble echoes for miles. The secret season means you can experience this force of nature without elbowing through crowds, so grab a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi or soar above it in a helicopter; both come highly recommended.
• Mana Pools – Located on the banks of the Zambezi River, it’s wild, raw, and often explored on foot or by canoe. In secret season, you get this untamed paradise practically to yourself. Picture elephants standing on two legs to reach albida pods, lions lounging in golden light, and hippos grunting as you paddle past. March to May offers cooler mornings and active wildlife without the high-season rush. October, though hot, delivers unforgettable game density near the water.
• Hwange – Think lions, elephants, and huge open plains with hardly another soul in sight. Hwange comes alive in the shoulder seasons. Between March and May, the vegetation is still lush but drying fast, drawing animals to waterholes. Come October, the heat amps up, but so does the wildlife drama. Elephants, giraffes, wild dogs, buffalo, and big cats all gather around shrinking pools. Zimbabwe's largest wilderness area, all to yourself? That sounds like our kinda adventure!
Why go now?
Epic views, excellent game, and shoulder-season rates. Yes please.
Specials available:
Africa Bush Camps offer an exclusive Stay 6 Pay 5, or a Stay 12 Pay 10 special on stays between their camps in Zimbabwe, or book one of their packages for great savings on accommodation and flights - find out more by connecting with us here.
Great Plains Conservation offers a Stay 4 Pay 3 Special at their Mpala Jena and Tembo Plains Camps - that's a 25% saving and great value.
Tanzania | January–March, June, October–November
Tanzania’s secret safari seasons are chef’s kiss. This country doesn’t have just one quiet season; it’s got three, each with its own flavour.
January to March is a dreamy blend of warm weather, lush scenery, and the wildebeest calving season in the Southern Serengeti. That means baby wildebeest being born by the thousands, with predators hot on their tails. It’s the circle of life, live and unfiltered. June is the sweet spot after the long rains. Everything’s green, animals are active, and the herds are migrating north. Plus, it’s just before the crowds (and rates) spike. October to November is all about the tail end of the migration in the north - river crossings, predator action and peaceful surroundings, plus the southern parks like Tarangire, Ruaha, and Nyerere come into their own. Quiet, wild, and wonderfully raw.
Where to go:
• Southern Serengeti (Jan–Mar) – For baby wildebeest and big cat drama. Our favourite time to experience the migration of wildebeest. This is calving season - and it’s something else. More than half a million wildebeest drop their babies in just a few weeks across the short-grass plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas stalk the herds, making for raw and riveting safari moments. The grass is low, the sky is huge, and the crowds are blissfully light.
• Central Serengeti (June) – Migration magic on the move, minus the madness. A great time to explore the other wilderness areas of Tanzania, while the central Serengeti becomes a lush, predator-packed paradise. The migration herds sweep through on their way north, offering daily action and dramatic crossings of seasonal rivers. You’ll still find the famous kopjes (rocky outcrops), home to lion prides, and wide plains dotted with zebra and giraffe. It’s prime game-viewing country, without the madness.
• Northern Serengeti & Southern Parks (Oct–Nov) – Quiet and packed with surprises. Enjoy moody skies, with great game viewing and ample space to roam. The Northern Serengeti still sees some migration activity during these months, with late-season crossings of the Mara River, minus the crowd chaos. At the same time, the Southern parks of Tarangire, Ruaha, and Nyerere (Selous) begin to shine. These hidden gems offer different habitats, from elephant-packed woodlands in Tarangire to wild, remote savanna in Ruaha and boat safaris along the Rufiji River in Nyerere. It’s the ultimate way to dodge the crowds and explore wild Tanzania like an insider.
Why go now?
Fewer tourists, better rates, and some of the most immersive wildlife experiences on the continent.
Specials available:
Asilia offers their All Asilia special, with free flights and transfers between International airports and their camps, on stays 7+ nights. With flights accounting for a large portion of trip costs, this is a great saving!
Experience the ultimate in safari luxury when staying 4 nights at any Singita Serengeti lodge/camp and receive 1 night free, as well as a private vehicle at less 50% (Valid: 6 January to 15 May & 1 October to 14 December 2025)
OR
Stay a minimum of 12 nights at any Singita lodges in any 2 regions and receive 2 nights free (Valid: 6 January to 14 December 2025) - Minimum 3 nights required per lodge in any of the following properties: Singita Sabi Sand, Singita Kruger National Park, Singita Malilangwe or Singita Serengeti. Minimum 4 nights required at Singita Volcanoes National Park - read our Luxury Tanzania & Rwanda Itinerary here to discover how this epic special can come to life.
Kenya | January–March, June
Kenya is everyone’s safari dream. But what if we told you it’s even better when fewer people are around? January to March is our absolute fave. The weather’s spot-on, the animals are out and about, and the game viewing is top-tier - with none of the queues. This is also when you might witness the Loita Hills migration in the greater Masai Mara, a smaller, lesser-known wildebeest movement that’s just as thrilling but way more under the radar. June is what we like to call “peak quality, off-peak pricing.” Everything’s gearing up for the migration, but you’ll have lodges, guides, and wildlife mostly to yourself.
Where to go:
• Masai Mara – Big cats, big skies, and barely another vehicle. During the secret season, the Mara dials back the chaos and returns to what it does best - show stopping wildlife without the vehicle traffic. January through March is lush, green, and teeming with life. Big cats rule the plains, newborn antelope take their first wobbly steps, and the skies put on golden-hour spectacles daily. You get almost all the drama of the migration season, minus the queue.
• Laikipia Region – Rhino territory, conservation excellence, and that rugged, untamed feel. This is where Kenya’s conservation magic happens. The Laikipia region is home to big numbers of black and white rhino, Grevy’s zebra, and stunningly scenic terrain. You’re in wild country here, with rolling hills, acacia forests, and snowcapped Mount Kenya in the distance. Explore it all on foot, horseback, or camel (yes, really). And in the secret season - you guessed it... It feels like you’ve got the whole conservancy to yourself.
• Chyulu Hills – Storybook landscapes and an incredible biodiversity with hardly anyone around. You know those impossibly dreamy scenes of green hills fading into mist with Mount Kilimanjaro looming in the background? That’s Chyulu. This volcanic range is part forest, part savanna, part lava tube labyrinth - and 100% jaw-dropping. You can go horse riding through the clouds, track wildlife across private conservancies, or simply sit back with a gin and tonic and watch the elephants stroll by in an underground hide. It’s safari meets storybook.
Why go now?
Intimate wildlife moments, high-end lodges with better availability, and exceptional value.
Specials available:
Great Plains Conservation offers a Stay 4 Pay 3 Special (one night free) in their exquisite lodges in Kenya, that's a 25% saving! Plus, all flights are included in the price, making for seriously good value in some of the best locations and camps.
Explore our Prime Time Kenya Itinerary here, featuring 3 incredible lodges in the Greater Masai Mara and Chyulu Hills, for a life changing Kenyan safari! Recommended dates are January to March, but can be also be done in June and November for the most exceptional value.
Rwanda | January–March, May
Gorilla trekking? Peak bucket list. But here’s the twist: the best time to go might not be high season. January to March brings great weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant forest life. The trails are clearer, the skies are bluer, and the experience feels more personal. May follows the long rains, which means everything is lush, green, and singing. Plus, it sneaks in just before peak season pricing.
Where to go:
• Volcanoes National Park – For once-in-a-lifetime mountain gorilla encounters. There’s something humbling about looking into the eyes of a mountain gorilla. And during Rwanda’s secret season, you get to do it without jostling for permits or racing through crowded trails. The rainforest is vibrant, the volcanoes are often shrouded in mist, and as for the gorillas? They’re just living their best lives in the bamboo thickets. January to March offers drier, easier trekking conditions, while May is post-rain and lush beyond belief.
• Nyungwe Forest – Home to chimps, birds, and misty canopy walks. Deep in Rwanda’s southwest, Nyungwe is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, where chimpanzees, 13 other primate species, and 300+ birds can be found. The forest canopy walk feels like something out of an adventure movie, especially when mist rolls through the trees. In secret season, the trails are quieter, the forest is cool and alive, and you’ll feel like a real explorer discovering a lost world.
• Akagera National Park - Rwanda’s best-kept safari secret. Akagera, in the east of the country, is a complete contrast to the misty mountains; open savannahs, wetlands, and rolling hills. It’s home to the Big Five, thanks to a remarkable conservation turnaround, and its game drives rival those of more famous East African parks. January to March and May bring mild weather and thinner crowds, making for amazing game viewing by 4x4 or boat. Lion, rhino, hippo, elephant, giraffe—it’s all here.
Why go now?
Enjoy time with the gorillas, fewer trekkers, and those mystical, mist-filled forests all to yourself.
Specials available:
Book a minimum of 6 nights in Rwanda at a combination of Wilderness Magashi in Akagera National Park, with Wilderness Sabyinyo, Wilderness Bisate or Wilderness Bisate Reserve in Volcanoes National Park, and we will pay one gorilla trek for each guest (valued at $1500)!
Valid for travel between 11 January 2025 and 31 May 2025.
So, are you still unsure of why travel in the Secret Safari Season? Let’s break it down one last time:
• Way fewer people. No safari traffic jams. No competing camera clicks. Just you and the wild.
• Better rates. We’re talking sometimes 30–60% less than high season. That’s luxe lodges for less.
• Amazing wildlife. Animals don’t take a vacation. Sure, some migrate, but majority of animals are resident and always around. Plhttp://moment.Sous not having to share them with others makes for a magical wilderness experience.
• All the mood. Green grass, dramatic skies, golden light - it is every photographer’s dream and every romantic’s heart-throb.
It is one of the best kept secrets in the safari world, and we really encourage you to give it a try. We just have one request - keep it between us, okay?
Alright, maybe we’re not being totally discreet about it. But we’re only sharing this with the right people - the slow travellers, the mindful explorers, the ones who know the real magic happens when no one’s watching. The Secret Safari Season is about space, stillness and letting the wild come to you. It’s the difference between ticking off sightings, and feeling them. Between taking a photo, and living in the moment.
So, what do you say - are you ready to discover our little secret?
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