Great Plains, the iconic eco-tourism company founded by National Geographic explorer-filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, is delighted to share its most sensational seasonality recommendations across its 14 camps in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
“From years of filming for our National Geographic stories we’ve learned when it is best, when it looks wonderful and when it is less crowded right across Africa. We look for behaviour and great light and design our year personally around when and where we want to be for that reason. Sharing that with you when you want to join us at Great Plains is a pleasure because we want to make sure you get the most rewarding experience possible from an African safari,” says Great Plains’ CEO and Founder Dereck Joubert.
Each season in Africa has spectacular sightings and distinct experiences. Great Plains is on hand to help better cater to your bucket list safari in Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe year-round.
“One of the questions of those looking to plan a safari adventure of a lifetime is, ‘When is the best time to visit?’” explains Great Plains’ Head of Sales in the Americas, Guide Training and New Developments, James Currie. “The truth is, it’s always a good time to visit Africa. With 14 camps across three countries, Great Plains is uniquely positioned to showcase the very best of Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe, no matter the time of year. From photography enthusiasts in search of jaw-dropping scenery or those looking to experience resident migrations away from the crowds to bird watchers, horse riders and nature lovers, every explorer is expertly catered to – in every season – with Great Plains.”
Botswana
Great Plains owns and operates seven camps across Botswana’s northeast, home to the world’s only inland delta, and the awe-inspiring Selinda Spillway. Beloved for its incredibly distinctive landscape and unique flora and fauna, Botswana has much to offer year-round, both on and off the water:
- January to March sees warm temperatures and afternoon rain showers, with early morning mists making for excellent photography opportunities. Wildlife sightings during this period include herbivore grazers such as warthog, lechwe and kudu, as well as elephants, buffalo and varied predators. This is one of the best times of year for bird-lovers, with enigmatic species including carmine bee-eaters regularly sighted. At some camps activities are suspended due to lower water levels.
- From April to June, herbivores begin to return to the floodplains and main channels of the Okavango in anticipation of the floods, which begin in mid-late April. Flower lovers will delight as waterlilies begin to bloom in the Okavango, while the clear night sky acts as the perfect canvas for the famed Scorpio constellation. Wildlife opportunities abound, with hippos beginning to emerge during the day along with increased leopard and wild dog sightings.
- Temperatures are at their coolest and the flood is at its zenith in the Okavango during July to September, when water-based activities are at their prime and the Selinda Spillway begins to fill in peak flood years. Large herds of elephants begin to gather around the camps, with exceptional safari viewing during this period, which is also denning season for wild dogs and daily hunts occur close to denning sites.
- October to December sees the floods in the Okavango recede, while the rainy season begins and daytime temperatures soar. Grasses begin to sprout on the floodplains, leading to high wildlife concentrations, with baby season promising the most adorable of animal sightings. This period is also excellent for bird and butterfly watchers, while water activities continue at most camps.
Great Plains’ Botswana camps offer diverse and bountiful wildlife viewing, as well as a number of water-based activities – from water-based safaris to fishing, mekoro trips and more – that take full advantage of the area’s unique environment. The camps include Duba Explorers Camp and Duba Plains Camp on the Okavango Delta’s private, 81,000- acre Duba Plains concession, and the new and incredibly unique Sitatunga Private Island, located on an isolated island just as the Panhandle enters the Delta.
Kenya
From the rolling plains of the Chyulu Hills and Amboseli to the iconic Masai Mara, Great Plains’ Kenya offering provides the ultimate East African safari experience. From witnessing both the famed wildebeest and lesser-known resident migrations to stargazing, horseback safaris and fine dining, guests are promised a bucket list adventure no matter when they choose to visit.
- January to March sees the skies begin to clear, with remarkable views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, and high temperatures throughout the day and night. Often referred to as the ‘secret quiet time’ in the Mara, safari drive conditions are ideal and ensure plentiful sightings of predator and prey interactions as well as the opportunity to spot baby animals.
- The long rains and pleasant temperatures arrive from April to June, providing beautiful emerald scenery and atmospheric skies that are ideal for landscape photography. Known as ‘the time of plenty’ in Kenya, guests can witness the Loita resident migration and peak elephant breeding season, as well as the stunning breeding displays of widowbirds.
- Those wishing to see the famed wildebeest migration should choose to travel from July to September, with river crossings peaking in August and early September. Cooler temperatures and low grass make for exceptional viewing with enhanced visibility, and the hides at ol Donyo Lodge become a hive of activity as the best time to see the area’s famed big tusker elephants.
- Flower lovers and bird watchers will be spoilt with viewing opportunities during October to December, as temperatures begin to elevate and the short rains begin. This time also marks the beginning of the antelope breeding season, with many babies and predator/prey interactions to be seen. By December, guests can expect occasional stunning lightning displays and thunderstorms, providing incredible scenery photography. October is arguably the best time to see ol Donyo Lodge’s big tuskers before the onset of the short rains.
Great Plains owns and operates five camps in Kenya. Mara Expedition Camp, Mara Plains and Mara Nyika provide the ultimate Masai Mara experience, alongside the brand new Mara Toto Tree camp, a truly one-of-a-kind treehouse-style camp nestled in the canopies. Further east, ol Donyo Lodge is located on the 275,000-acre Maasai-owned Mbirikani Group Ranch between Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks and bordering Chyulu Hills National Park. Here, guests can embark on a horseback safari and experience the area’s rare big tusker elephants as they relax by the camp’s sunken hide and watering hole.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe offers the wonderful opportunity to combine a safari with one of the seven natural wonders of the world – Victoria Falls – and with Great Plains, guests can experience both in true style. Explorers can opt for two distinct camps, both of which showcase the very best of this landlocked country year-round.
- January to March is the ideal season for bird watching in Zimbabwe, with sightings of rare and native species a regular occurrence for guests of Mpala Jena. The warm and rainy season brings with it lush green landscapes – a keen photographer’s dream – while from March until May the views at Victoria Falls are truly awe-inspiring.
- From April to June, the bush begins to dry and wildlife heads down to the Zambezi floodplain, promising fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities. Tembo Plains Camp opens from 1st April, providing the ultimate vantage point to witness swimming elephants as well as the beginning of the impala rut. May sees Victoria Falls at its most majestic, with the highest volume of water present at this time.
- Wildlife concentrations are at their peak on the Zambezi floodplain from July to September, which sees mild days, colder evenings and increased visibility thanks to drier foliage. Explorers can expect to spot predators, buffalo, crocodiles and hippos, as they enter ‘baby boom’ during this season. Tiger fishing is excellent throughout the country, while visibility at Victoria Falls increases as water volume subsides.
- October to December brings the warmest temperatures of the year, with the arrival of summer migrant birds and the rare opportunity to spot African Pitta at Tembo Plains for the luckiest of birders. Building thunderclouds provide excellent landscape photography, while Antelope birthing season begins in November through to December. Tembo Plains Camp closes at the end of November in preparation for the summer rains.
Tucked into a thick riverine forest on the edge of the Zambezi river, Tembo Plains Camp is located within the 240,000-acre Sapi Private Reserve, east of Mana Pools National Park. Ideally located for those wishing to experience the wonder of Victoria Falls, Mpala Jena is located on the white sandy edges of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River and in the Zambezi National Park.
