East Africa safaris in December and January
East Africa often sees a large influx of tourists in December and January who come to explore the area and its animals. The majority of people can attend most of these safaris because it’s usually the holiday season and most people are on vacation. The majority of visitors to the area are curious about the differences between visiting in December and January because these two months are so close to one another.
We will discuss the distinctions between the safaris in December and January in this article.
The weather
Despite being near to one another, the weather in these two months differs greatly. December is somewhat warm and dry, with average highs of 20–28°C (68–82°F), while January is hot and dry, with average highs of 22–30°C (72–86°F).
Animals
Because of the lower temperatures in December, there are more wild creatures out and about during the day. The animals may be difficult to spot in January since they prefer to hide and snooze during the hottest hours of the day.
Trekking with primates
Primate trekking is actually simple in both months because the weather and routes are dry; however, December is a colder month, making the walk less hot and muggy. January is a hot, muggy month with high temperatures.
In December, the wildebeest migration between Kenya and Tanzania is in full force, and you may witness a number of animals crossing the Mara River virtually every day. The migration is still going on in January, but fewer animals will be crossing the river since some herds may begin to move in search of greener pastures.
Season of Tourists
Due of the dry, joyous, and holiday seasons, both months are considered peak seasons. Since there are a lot of tourists in December, when the holiday season begins, safari packages and lodging are rather expensive; this is the only way to control the crowds. Even though January is still the busiest month, there aren’t many tourists because the holidays are coming to an end and people are getting back to their regular lives.
Safari Activities: Game drives, primate trekking, boat rides, nature walks, and many other activities are the greatest things to do in December. You will engage in all of the aforementioned activities in January, with the added benefit of night game viewing. Due to the heat during the day, most animals emerge at night and at dawn when it is cooler.
Logistics and inbound transportation
We urge you to arrange your inbound transport and logistics for your safari as soon as possible because, as previously said, both months are peak seasons, the majority of logistics, transport, and tour providers are fully booked, and all of their cars are scheduled until February. Because failing to do so could leave you trapped and unable to get to your next location.
Cross-border parcels
Naturally, cross-border deliveries are available during both of these months, but please plan early to avoid being stranded. Safaris that include activities in one nation and another are known as cross-border packages.
These are only a few of the variations between a safari in December and January; your tour operator or adviser may provide you with more details.
