Africa in July
July is when it gets difficult to choose where to go as just about every safari destination offers outstanding game viewing. What safari destination you choose will depend on what style of safari you want, how long you can travel for and what your budget is.
Tanzania
- Max Day Temp: 26°C
- Min Night Temp: 14°C
- Avg Rainfall: 20mm
If you are looking for a less commercial safari, this is the time of the year when Tanzania’s Southern Parks start to be at their best. On the Northern Circuit, game viewing is excellent but it is busy as The Great Migration reaches the northern Serengeti and people hope to see wildebeest cross the Mara River. In Tarangire National Park the Elephant Migration is starting to arrive and congregate along the Tarangire River.
Kenya
- Max Day Temp: 26°C
- Min Night Temp: 10°C
- Avg Rainfall: 20mm
It is the start of peak season in Kenya when thousands of wildebeest cross the Mara River and enter the Maasai Mara. River-crossings are not guaranteed. Often that those fabulous photographs captured by chance or as a result of hours of waiting over a number of days.
Uganda
- Max Day Temp: 25°C
- Min Night Temp: 17°C
- Avg Rainfall: 46mm
It is the middle of the long dry season in Uganda so conditions under-foot in the jungle will be at their driest for Gorilla and Chimpanzee treks.
You are more likely to see tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park and game-viewing on the whole is good with wildlife concentrated around water and there are less leaves on the trees.
Always book well in advance for the dry-season as lodges fill quickly and gorilla permits sell out months in advance.
Botswana
- Max Day Temp: 25°C
- Min Night Temp: 6°C
- Avg Rainfall: 0mm
Game viewing in Botswana is excellent now through the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Linyanti and Chobe. The floodwaters should have reached most areas of the Delta in July. The Makgadikgadi Pans do not have much wildlife in July but you can go quad-biking, meet the local Zu/’hoasi bushmen, stargaze or spend time with the habituated meerkats.
Zimbabwe
- Max Day Temp: 25°C
- Min Night Temp: 6°C
- Avg Rainfall: 2mm
Like Botswana Zimbabwe is a game-viewing delight in July. The vegetations has died right down making wildlife easier to spot and in Hwange the big elephant herds will have arrived. Remember it is winter so you need layers to keep you warm. especially on early morning game drives.
Zambia
- Max Day Temp: 23°C
- Min Night Temp: 9°C
- Avg Rainfall: 0mm
It is peak safari season in Zambia. South Luangwa is undoubtedly the best place to experience a walking safari and the Lower Zambezi National Park is also outstanding for game-viewing and canoeing down the river.
Namibia
- Max Day Temp: 20°C
- Min Night Temp: 6°C
- Avg Rainfall: 1mm
It may be bone-chilling cold overnight in July but daytime temperatures are still quite pleasant in July making travel comfortable in the vast country. Game viewing around the permanent waterholes in Etosha is excellent.
South Africa
- Max Day Temp: 23°C
- Min Night Temp: 6°C
- Avg Rainfall: Cape Town 100mm, Kruger 10mm
South Africa’s Northern Reserves are excellent for game viewing over this time. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route it is cool and rain is frequent. Whale watching around Hermanus and along this coast continues.
Mozambique
- Max Day Temp: 24°C
- Min Night Temp: 13°C
- Avg Rainfall: 20mm
Mozambique is stunning in July and with good connections from South Africa, can be easily combined with a safari. Winds tend to be light so it is a great time for diving and fishing in the Indian Ocean.
India in July
- Max Day Temp Delhi: 35°C
- Max Day Temp Mumbai: 30°C
- Max Day Temp Leh (Ladakh): 20°C
- Max Day Temp Kochi: 30°C
It is Monsoon Time and while Indian’s love it, for many travellers the rain and humidity are not as appealing.
If you have an interest in one or two week Ayurvedic Retreat in Kerala, this is an excellent time to visit. During the monsoon, your body’s pores are more receptive to the oils used in treatments.
Ladakh while wonderful at this time does get crowded with domestic tourists as it is school and university holidays.
