Africa in August
Safaris in August are outstanding throughout Africa as it is the peak of the dry season. Where to go depends on what type safari you want and your budget.
Tanzania
- Max Day Temp: 27°C
- Min Night Temp: 15°C
- Avg Rainfall: 30mm
Seeing a wildebeest river crossing in the Serengeti is a focus for many safari goers in August. In Tarangire National Park the elephant migration to the Tarangire River continues.
Tanzania’s Southern Parks are excellent in August for less commercial safari. You are well away from the crowds on the Northern Safari circuit.
Kenya
- Max Day Temp: 27°C
- Min Night Temp: 10°C
- Avg Rainfall: 25mm
Not surprisingly river-crossings are also a focus over the border in Kenya’s Maasai Mara in August. It’s getting dry and wildlife will mass around permanent water sources which in turn attract the big cats. Keep in mind August is the peak of the high season and while guides do their very best to take you away from the crowds, they can be unavoidable.
Uganda
- Max Day Temp: 25°C
- Min Night Temp: 16°C
- Avg Rainfall: 86mm
It is peak season in Uganda and while you will need to book well in advance, the parks never feel busy or overcrowded. It is second to last month of the dry-season and conditions for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are excellent. For game drives, wildlife is easier to spot due with less leaves on the trees and animals congregating around permanent water sources.
Botswana
- Max Day Temp: 28°C
- Min Night Temp: 8°C
- Avg Rainfall: 0mm
It is peak season in August so booking in advance is critical. Botswana follows a low volume – high value tourism strategy so many of the more ‘budget-friendly’ lodges and small group safaris sell out well in advance as do many of the ‘mid-range’ safaris.
The quality of the game viewing is outstanding and this is when you will see a mind-blowing number of elephants in the Chobe and Linyanti region.
You need to be well prepared with warm layers to wear on the often frosty early morning game drives and appreciate that it can get very dusty at times. One advantage of the dry weather is that mosquito numbers are very low.
Zimbabwe
- Max Day Temp: 26°C
- Min Night Temp: 8°C
- Avg Rainfall: 3mm
There are great views of Victoria Falls in August as there is not as much spray. Like neighbouring Botswana it is one of the most popular safari months as the the game viewing is outstanding.
Nights and mornings are chilly and warm clothes are essential while daytime temperatures will continue to rise through the month.
Zambia
- Max Day Temp: 25°C
- Min Night Temp: 12°C
- Avg Rainfall: 0mm
It is also peak safari season in Zambia and one of the best times to enjoy one of the walking safaris that the destination is famous for. Safari goers, in particular, can hope to see plenty of lions and leopards and if lucky witness a kill. Like the neighbouring destinations, you need to book well in advance as lodges fill quickly.
Those visiting Victoria Falls can book a tour to Livingstone Island and the “Devils Pool” as water levels are now low enough. This experience is incredibly popular with travellers staying on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side of the Falls so you are best to book well in advance.
Namibia
- Max Day Temp: 23°C
- Min Night Temp: 9°C
- Avg Rainfall: 0mm
Etosha is at its best in August but be prepared to see plenty of other tourists as it is such a popular destination.
Namibia’s outstanding landscapes and light continue to reward photographers with amazing shots. For star-gazing and astrophotography, the Namib Rand Reserve in the south-west is Africa’s only International Dark Sky Reserve.
In the desert areas, the temperatures can drop to below zero overnight so make sure you pack some warm clothes. It is months since Nambia had rain so dust is unavoidable as you travel from to A to B.
South Africa
- Max Day Temp: 25°C
- Min Night Temp: 9°C
- Avg Rainfall: 126mm Cape Town, 6mm Kruger
Wildlife viewing in Kruger and KwaZulu National Parks and Reserves is exceptional at this time of the year. It is the dry season and wildlife congregates around permanent water sources and visibility is good as the vegetation is sparse.
While you can expect more rain, it is a great time to observe marine life around the Western Cape. There is land and water-based whale watching and penguin chicks are hatching at beach side colonies. Later in the month the landscapes around the Western and Northern Capes are carpeted in wildflowers.
One thing to keep in mind is the Table Mountain Cable Car closes in August for its yearly maintenance.
Mozambique
- Max Day Temp: 26°C
- Min Night Temp: 15°C
- Avg Rainfall: 20mm
It is wonderful time to visit Mozambique with humpback whales and dolphin sightings common. It is dry and warm during the day but comfortably cool at night and there are very few mosquitoes about.
Just a note, the Quirimbas Archipelago can get a bit windy in August.
India in August
- Max Day Temp Delhi: 34°C
- Max Day Temp Mumbai: 30°C
- Max Day Temp Kochi: 30°C
- Max Day Temp Kolkata: 33°C
The monsoon is still in its full glory at the beginning of August but from the middle of the month there are more destinations to visit.
Kerala like July continues to be a destination for those seeking Ayurvedic treatments while the crowds in Ladakh disperse once the local summer holidays are over.
You can return to the more well-known areas of north India from the middle of the month, including Rajasthan but expect it to be humid and temperatures to reach the mid 30’s. There will be downpours still but they won’t spoil your holiday.
