Exceptional birdwatching, bounding baby animals, prowling predators and beautiful green landscapes – these are what make a summer wet season safari a special holiday idea in Southern Africa.
Between December and March, in many safari destinations found across Southern Africa, warming temperatures are regulated with short, refreshing downpours and bright daytime scenes of lush vegetation are covered at night by cloudless skies with twinkling stars.
This is the time that many ungulates give birth to spindly legged calves that have to learn to walk within minutes of dropping if they are going to stand a chance of survival as they are easy picking for predators both big and small.
Migratory birds make the journey south to breed and nest in warmer weather, filling the sky and trees with the bright plumage, aerial displays and loud calling that are all part of their intriguing mating rituals.
Here are two year-round destinations that become visibly kinetic with verdant life, colour and noise on a wet season safari:
River safari in Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park in northern Botswana is characterised for the winding Chobe River, which gives life throughout the year to the vast riverbanks.
Boat safari on the Chobe River © Desert & Delta Safaris
The Chobe riverfront is a water wonderland that is simply perfect for boating safaris. It is a famous stronghold of elephants, which use the river as their swimming pool to cool off from the day’s heat and to cross over to Namibia. It is also a dream destination for birding enthusiasts who are particularly interested in waterbirds.
Dining deck at Chobe Game Lodge © Desert & Delta Safaris
Whether you wish to experience the area by game vehicle or motorboat, the brilliant green of Chobe in the wet season makes for an excellent backdrop to wildlife sightings. While wildlife viewing may not be as good over this time compared to winter, rates are attractively lower. and self-drive day visitors are allowed access to the park.
Desert safari in Namib-Nauklaft National Park
The desert landscape of the Namib-Naukluft in Namibia is what draws people here rather than the animals, although there is a variety of desert creatures to see.
Oryx outside the main camp at Little Kulala © Wilderness Safaris
Desert-adapted antelope like the oryx and springbok are commonly seen in the driest areas of the Namib-Nauklaft. Other wildlife like klipspringer, steenbok and desert-adapted baboons are more likely be found near to rivers which fill up with the summer rains. This desert location is home to around 200 species of avifauna and with summer, come some splendid migratory birds.
Open-air sleep-out deck at Little Kulala © Wilderness Safaris
After a long dry period, the summer rains bring with them an almost palpable sense of relief to the landscape and wildlife of the Namib-Nauklaft desert. Bursts of colours from wildflowers begin dotting the ground and the sky is beautifully clear during both the day and night.
Contact us to discuss whether a wet season safari would tick all your bucketlist travel boxes.
Images courtesy of Desert & Delta Safaris and Wilderness Safaris.
