There’s a reason August is Africa’s blockbuster season for safari. Fewer leaves, less water, and more drama. It’s like the wildlife equivalent of reality TV, except no one’s getting voted off. If you want the best African safari in August, you’ll need to know where the action is, because while the animals might be predictable, the experience is anything but.
August safaris begin with golden light and endless views, Image Credit: Shumba Camp
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
If safari in August had a headline act, the Serengeti would be it. This is where The Great Migration throws its most ruthless episodes, starring thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River while crocodiles lie in wait. It’s brutal, chaotic, and impossible to look away, basically nature’s answer to binge-worthy TV.
August is prime time for these river crossings, with herds bottlenecking on the banks before making a run for it. But even if the migration is the main event, don’t underestimate the supporting cast. Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are all ready to cash in on the commotion. The dry season thins out the bush, so game viewing is on point, think Big 5 sightings without playing hide-and-seek.
Wildebeest gather in the Serengeti for August’s main event, Image Credit: Serengeti Bushtops Camp
Bonus Tip
For optimal river crossing drama, head to the northern Serengeti and time your visit for mid to late August. And yes, book early. The prime campsites and lodges fill up faster than a croc on a feeding frenzy.
My Favourite Property
Serengeti Under Canvas is a mobile camp that moves with the migration, giving you a front-row seat to the Mara River crossings without sacrificing hot showers or award-winning wines. It’s camping, but with butlers. Why rough it when the wildebeest already are?
Luxury that moves with the herds, Image Credit: Serengeti Under Canvas
2. Kafue National Park, Zambia
Want to feel like you’ve got an entire wilderness to yourself? Kafue National Park in Zambia is your ticket. It’s one of the largest parks in Africa, roughly the size of Wales, but with a fraction of the visitors you’ll find in more famous reserves. If your idea of a safari in August includes bragging rights and rare sightings, you’ve come to the right place.
The Busanga Plains up north flood seasonally, but by August, they’ve dried out into open grasslands, pulling in wildlife from all corners: lions, cheetahs, leopards, and even the elusive African wild dog. Kafue is also antelope HQ, home to some species you’ve probably never heard of but will definitely pretend to have known about.
And let’s not forget the birdlife, over 400 species. With sparse vegetation and reliable water sources, August safari weather in Africa doesn’t get more comfortable than this.
August in Kafue delivers big cats without the crowds, Image Credit: Shumba Camp
Bonus Tip
The Busanga Plains camps are seasonal, open between June and October. Go in August for peak predator activity, but fewer vehicles to share the view with.
My Favourite Property
Shumba Camp is right in the heart of the Busanga Plains. This luxurious spot offers panoramic views, exceptional guiding, and a good chance of spotting those rare African wild dogs.
Safari luxury in Zambia’s Busanga Plains, Image Credit: Shumba Camp
3. Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
If the Serengeti is the action movie, Mana Pools National Park is the arthouse film: slower paced, visually stunning, and deeply immersive. Sitting on the banks of the Zambezi River, this August safari destination is for those who prefer their wildlife on foot, not from the back of a game vehicle.
Dry season hits its stride in August, concentrating animals around the river and its four permanent pools, hence the name "Mana", meaning "four" in Shona. Elephants here are known for their peculiar party trick, like standing on two legs to reach high branches like oversized ballerinas! And because the wildlife is so used to humans on foot, this is one of the best places for guided walking safaris.
Bring a decent camera, as the light is ridiculously magical, and you’ll want evidence that you were this close to a browsing bull elephant without a car door between you.
Mana Pools’ elephants perfect their two-legged party trick
Bonus Tip
Experienced photographers should aim for late August to early September when the light is softer, and the dust adds texture to every frame.
My Favourite Property
Zambezi Expeditions is a rustic, mobile-style camp that brings you close to the river action, offering unbeatable walking safaris and canoeing for a change of pace.
Riverside camping with front-row wildlife views, Image Credit: African Bush Camps
4. South Africa’s Whale Coast
While the bush gets the limelight, the coast quietly puts on a show of its own. South Africa’s Whale Coast, stretching from Cape Town to beyond Hermanus, is where southern right whales (and occasionally humpbacks) come to show off their calves and breach like they’ve got a point to prove.
August is the sweet spot for land-based whale watching. You don’t need a boat. In Hermanus, you can literally spot whales from your breakfast table. Or follow the local Whale Crier, who roams the town sounding a kelp horn whenever he spies a spout on the horizon.
When you’re done with marine giants, the surrounding wine farms and scenic drives round out the experience.
South Africa’s Whale Coast is where water giants launch skyward
Bonus Tip
For the best whale sightings, base yourself in Hermanus or De Kelders and stay at least two nights. The whales don’t work on a schedule, give yourself time, and they’ll show up.
My Favourite Property
Birkenhead House is a cliff-top retreat in Hermanus with ocean views so spectacular you might forget to leave the deck. If that doesn't convince you, you can expect world-class dining and exquisite décor to boot.
End your day at Birkenhead House with a sunset like this, Image Credit: Birkenhead House
Safari in August FAQs
So, have I got you itching to plan your own safari in August, but you're still holding onto a few burning questions? Fair enough. Let’s clear those up as well as round up before you swap Wi-Fi for wildlife.
QUESTION | ANSWER |
|---|---|
Where is the best African safari in August? | Top contenders are Serengeti National Park for The Great Migration, Kafue National Park for remote safaris, Mana Pools for walking safaris, and South Africa’s Whale Coast for whale watching. |
When is the best time for a safari in Africa? | August is widely considered one of the best months for safari across southern and East Africa. The dry season means animals gather around limited water sources, making sightings easier and more predictable. |
What’s the weather like on safari in August? | August safari weather in Africa is typically dry, with warm days and cooler nights, perfect for game drives and avoiding malaria-prone mozzies. |
What animals can I see on safari in August? | Depending on where you go, expect to see the Big 5, plenty of predator action, antelope species and, in the northern Serengeti, the wildebeest river crossings. On the Whale Coast, southern right whales steal the show. |
August safaris deliver pride sightings in every sense, Image Credit: Shumba Camp
Time to Book Your Safari in August
Whether you want action on land or sea – wildebeest, whales, or elephants pretending to be ballerinas – Rhino Africa’s Travel Experts will get you there. Let’s plan your safari in August while the best spots are still up for grabs.
