December is a rewarding safari month for travellers who enjoy seasonal change. In East Africa, the shorter rains are easing in some areas and the Great Migration is continuing south through Tanzania. Across much of Southern Africa, the green season is well underway, bringing dramatic skies, fresh vegetation, returning migrant birds and newborn animals.
The main trade off is variability. Rain can be brief and localised or more persistent, road conditions can change quickly and wildlife may be more dispersed than during the dry season. However, for travellers who are comfortable with a greener, more dynamic safari experience, December offers excellent variety.
Where to go on safari in East Africa in December?
December is a transitional month in East Africa. The shorter rains are tapering in some regions, landscapes are green and wildlife remains excellent across many of the major safari areas.
| Country | Safari Area | Rating | Typical Temperatures | Typical Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Masai Mara | GOOD | 12°C to 27°C | Approx. 115 mm |
| Tanzania | Serengeti | GOOD | 15°C to 27°C | Approx. 104 mm |
| Rwanda | Volcanoes National Park | GOOD | 8°C to 15°C | Approx. 155 mm |
| Uganda | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | GOOD | 12°C to 21°C | Approx. 112 mm |
Tanzania
December is an important month for the Great Wildebeest and Zebra Migration.
The herds are generally moving south through the Serengeti National Park towards the short grass plains of the south and the wider Ndutu area. The exact position of the herds depends on rainfall and fresh grazing, so they can be spread across several parts of the Serengeti during the month.
December is best viewed as the build up towards the main calving period rather than the peak calving season itself. The major concentration of births generally occurs from January into March, but the southward movement in December can still create superb wildlife viewing and strong predator activity.
Northern Tanzania works especially well because Serengeti can be combined with the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire. Afternoon showers are possible, but they often bring beautiful light and greener landscapes.
Kenya
December can be a very good month in Kenya. The main migration herds are generally farther south in Tanzania by this stage, but the Masai Mara and surrounding conservancies retain excellent resident wildlife.
The shorter rains are often easing as the month progresses, although timing varies from year to year. Landscapes remain green, birdlife is strong and visitor numbers can be lower than during the migration peak.
Private conservancies around the Mara can be particularly attractive because they generally have lower vehicle numbers and, depending on the conservancy, may offer guided walks, night drives and off road wildlife viewing.
Rwanda and Uganda
December can be rewarding for gorilla trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda, but the seasonal pattern differs between the two countries.
In Rwanda, the wetter period generally continues into the first half of December before conditions begin to improve. In Uganda, December marks the beginning of one of the generally drier periods for primate tracking and savannah wildlife.
Rainforest conditions are always possible, so good footwear and waterproof clothing remain important. Gorilla trekking can be combined with chimpanzees and traditional safari areas for a broader itinerary.
Where to go on safari in Southern Africa in December?
December is firmly green season across much of Southern Africa. Summer thunderstorms, fresh grazing, migrant birds and newborn animals create a very different safari experience from the dry winter months.
| Country | Safari Area | Rating | Typical Temperatures | Typical Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | Khwai / Okavango | MIXED | 19°C to 33°C | Approx. 83 mm |
| Madagascar | Andasibe-Mantadia | LOW | 16°C to 28°C | Approx. 268 mm |
| Namibia | Etosha | MIXED | 17°C to 34°C | Approx. 42 mm |
| South Africa | Kruger | MIXED | 19°C to 32°C | Approx. 92 mm |
| Zambia | South Luangwa | LOW | 19°C to 32°C | Approx. 192 mm |
| Zimbabwe | Hwange | MIXED | 17°C to 31°C | Approx. 128 mm |
Botswana
December is one of the most rewarding months for travellers who want to experience Botswana’s green season. Rain brings fresh grass, migratory birds and dramatic skies, while plains game begin taking advantage of renewed grazing.
In the Okavango Delta, wildlife may be more dispersed than during the dry season because temporary water returns to the landscape, but the scenery can be beautiful and birding is excellent.
The Kalahari is particularly interesting in December. Rain can transform dry pans and grasslands, bringing zebra, springbok and other plains game back into areas that can be extremely arid during winter. This creates strong opportunities for predator sightings as the green season develops.
Zimbabwe
December is a green season month in Zimbabwe. Hwange and other safari regions become increasingly lush, migrant birds return and young animals begin appearing.
Wildlife can be more widely dispersed once temporary water becomes available, so game viewing may require more patience than during the late dry season. The trade off is beautiful scenery, dramatic storm light and excellent birding.
Victoria Falls is still within its lower water period in December, although flows begin the long process of building again as summer rain falls across the wider catchment.
Namibia
December marks the main rainy season in Namibia. Conditions are hot, rainfall is variable and thunderstorms can transform the landscape quickly.
In Etosha National Park, wildlife may become less concentrated around permanent waterholes as temporary water appears elsewhere. This makes traditional dry season waterhole viewing less predictable.
The big December attraction is birding. Migrant species are present, breeding activity increases and the contrast between desert landscapes and fresh summer growth can be striking.
Zambia
December is firmly within Zambia’s Emerald Season. Rain transforms the landscape, birdlife is excellent and many areas become lush and green.
Some seasonal bush camps close because roads become difficult or impassable, particularly in areas with heavy black cotton soil. However, that does not mean Zambia should be ruled out. Several camps remain open and can offer a specialised green season safari experience.
The key is to choose properties that are designed to operate during the rains rather than assuming every dry season camp will be accessible.
South Africa
December can be excellent in South Africa because different parts of the country are experiencing very different seasonal conditions.
Cape Town and the Western Cape are in their warm, generally dry summer period. The city, Winelands and Garden Route are all very popular at this time of year, especially over the festive season, so accommodation can fill early.
In Kruger National Park and the surrounding private reserves, December is part of the summer rainfall season. Vegetation is lush, migrant birds are present, newborn animals are common and thunderstorms can be dramatic.
Wildlife can take more effort to find than during winter because the bush is thicker, but summer Kruger offers a completely different and very rewarding safari experience.
Madagascar
December is within Madagascar’s wetter summer season. Temperatures are high, humidity increases and rainfall becomes more frequent as the month progresses.
Forests are lush and wildlife remains excellent, but longer road based itineraries need more careful planning because heavy rain can affect access in some regions.
December can still work well for carefully planned itineraries, particularly earlier in the month, but travellers should expect a more variable experience than during the drier seasons.
So, where is best for an African safari in December?
December suits travellers who enjoy green landscapes, seasonal wildlife behaviour and the possibility of dramatic summer weather.
- For the southward Great Migration: Tanzania
- For quieter resident wildlife viewing: Kenya
- For gorilla trekking: Rwanda and Uganda
- For green season wildlife and the Kalahari: Botswana
- For lush landscapes and birding: Zimbabwe and Namibia
- For a specialised Emerald Season safari: Zambia
- For Cape Town combined with summer Kruger: South Africa
- For lush forests and natural history: Madagascar
The biggest advantage of December is variety. East Africa is transitioning out of the shorter rains while Southern Africa is deep into its green season, so the best destination depends on whether your priority is migration, primates, birding, green season scenery or a broader holiday combining safari with somewhere such as Cape Town.
If you are thinking about travelling to Africa in December, we can help you compare the different destinations and choose the areas that best suit your interests, travel style and budget. You are welcome to book a phone or Zoom conversation with us to start exploring the possibilities.
