The short answer
October to March is cool and dry, with comfortable days. March to May is hot but animals gather near water, and monsoon brings tall grass and fewer visitors.
Key facts
- Oct to Mar
- Comfortable, peak season
- Mar to May
- Hot, good for wildlife near water
- Jun to Sep
- Wet, some lodges close
How it works
- October to March: comfortableCool mornings, clear days, best for walking and birding. Lodges fill in November and December.
- March to May: hot but rewardingAnimals gather at waterholes and the grass has been cut, which helps sightings.
- June to September: green and quietRivers rise and some safaris close. Expect leeches and high humidity.
What the park is like by season
From October to March the weather is dry and comfortable, grass is cut back after the cutting season, and visibility is better. March to May becomes hot, but animals come to rivers and waterholes, making wildlife viewing rewarding in early morning and late afternoon. June to September is monsoon: the grass grows tall, some lodges close and roads can be affected, but birdlife and greenery are at their best.
Early January can have morning fog. Dress in layers and plan activities after it clears.
Choosing your month
Choose winter for comfort, spring for wildlife near water, and monsoon for fewer people and lower rates if you accept the risks. Peak months fill early, so book lodges ahead.
Insider tip
Winter mornings can be foggy. That is part of the atmosphere, but it slows early sightings.
Avoid this
Do not go in monsoon without confirming that your lodge and the park are operating.
Related questions
When is tall grass a problem?
From the monsoon until cutting in early winter. It hides animals even from guides.
Is winter fog a problem?
Early mornings can be misty. It slows the first game drive but gives lovely light.
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