With travel restrictions becoming easier to navigate, now is the perfect time to plan an African adventure. And if spontaneity is your middle name, then why not book a holiday right now. Destinations which normally require a booking at least a year in advance, have availability. So if you can travel at short notice, now is an ideal time to take advantage of excellent rates and unheard of exclusivity.
So, without further ado, here are our top destinations and places to stay for African travel in October.
1. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park in Botswana is world-famous for its enormous elephant herds and is therefore known as the ‘Land of the Gentle Giants’. The region is also rich in fauna and flora, with the floodplains attracting a wide variety of wildlife.
As Botswana’s third-largest and first national park, Chobe is a must on any African explorer’s itinerary, particularly for those with a passion for wildlife photography!
Our favourite property: Desert & Delta Chobe Game Lodge
Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent lodge inside the Chobe National Park. However, its position on the banks of the Chobe River is the real drawcard. This area has the highest concentration of wildlife than anywhere else on the continent, and therefore the Chobe Game Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore it.
Game drives ensure up-close and uninterrupted wildlife viewings. And to take full advantage of the location, you can also go out on boat safaris on the Chobe River. Chobe Game Lodge is committed to sustainability and community upliftment and has many inspiring projects on-site that support these causes and initiatives.
2. Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Downstream from the mighty Victoria Falls, you’ll find Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, a wildlife conservation haven. It’s an underrated destination, offering vast and unspoilt landscapes teeming with wildlife. If you’re looking for a quiet and exclusive safari experience and enjoy walking or canoe safaris, then this is for you.
Our favourite property: Time & Tide Chongwe Camp
Chongwe River Camp has a passion for sharing the ambience of Africa with those eager to drink it in. This award-winning camp captures the natural serenity the continent has become famous for. As a result, guests come here to indulge their senses and to view wildlife and nature in one of its many magical environments.
3. Kruger National Park, South Africa
The Big 5 safari mecca of Southern Africa, the Kruger National Park, tops nearly every African bucket list. The Kruger region hosts many private concessions, as well as exclusive experiences such as night and walking safaris, and following the animals off-road are also on the menu — all things that aren’t allowed in the much busier public parks.
Kruger is great year-round. However, visiting in October means avoiding the busiest peak season. More importantly, it’s the time of year when newborn animals make their appearance!
Our favourite property: Silvan Safari
Inspired by the spirit of the trees surrounding it, Silvan Safari invites guests on a journey of rediscovery. Here they can connect with Africa’s wilderness, revive their spiritual link to the earth, and leave forever transformed.
Guest can enjoy staying in one of 6 luxurious and spacious standalone suites. While guests leave forever changed by this experience, they also form part of a much bigger journey in which Silvan partners with local communities, thereby uplifting and protecting these wildlife havens for generations to come.
4. South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
This incredible wildlife sanctuary is known as one of the greatest globally, and it’s very apparent why. South Luangwa National Park is densely packed with wildlife, including over 400 bird species, offering an epic safari experience. However, it’s best known as ‘the birthplace of the walking safari’.
In October, a visit to South Luangwa gives guests the chance to see a high concentration of wildlife brought closer together by the dry season. Animals congregate in the areas where water sources are, therefore offering fascinating sightings.
Our favourite property: Chinzombo Safari Camp
Unparalleled luxury on the shores of the Luangwa River is what you can expect at Time + Tide Chinzombo. The canopy of ancient trees overhead provides an immensely tranquil and intimate setting within nature. A range of activities in this prime location include plenty of safari opportunities. And, on select evenings, guests can spend a night under the stars, covered only by a mosquito net.
5. Maasai Mara, Kenya
The Maasai Mara park is host to part of one of the most spectacular shows on earth, the Great Migration. This annual event sees millions of wildebeest, followed by gazelle and zebra, make their way across the plains. And wherever they go, the predators follow!
October is among the best times to visit the Maasai Mara, as this is when the wildebeest congregate on the plains before they begin to move south into the Serengeti. As you’d expect, the herds and all animals on their heels make for excellent game viewing. The opportunity to witness this unique natural phenomenon makes the Maasai Mara one of the best destinations for African travel in October.
Our favourite property: Angama Mara
This luxury African safari camp is located high above the floor of Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, thereby overlooking the breathtaking Maasai Mara. Accommodation is in spacious tented suites stretched out over two rocky outcrops, treating guests to panoramic views. Each suite has a glass front overlooking the plains below. And all suites have spacious viewing decks, and in-room dining and lounging facilities. Moreover, safaris are tailor-made here, with activities including hot air balloon safaris, walking safaris, game drives, and Maasai village visits.
Travel to Africa in October!
African travel in October offers a variety of experiences as diverse as the continent itself. If you’re ready to explore, our team of African Travel Experts are on hand to get the ball rolling. If you are planning further ahead, why not look at our African Travel Calendar to decide the perfect time to visit your ideal destination.
Contact us to bring your African dream to life.
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