December is high summer in Africa, offering hot weather, lush green landscapes after early rains, and excellent wildlife viewing as animals gather around fresh grazing and waterholes, even if they are less active during the day.
December is peak season across southern and East Africa. South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania and Kenya offer superb safari conditions with migrating herds and active predators. Indian Ocean islands like Seychelles and Mauritius enjoy sunny beach weather. Expect warm to hot temperatures, occasional afternoon rains inland, and busy lodges during the Christmas and New Year period. Book well ahead and budget for premium rates.
Key takeaways
December is summer in southern and East Africa, with hot, mostly sunny weather and green vegetation after early rains.
Safari conditions are excellent: wildebeest calving begins in Tanzania's Serengeti, and big cats are highly active across South Africa, Botswana and Kenya.
Peak season means lodges fill quickly and rates are at their highest, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique) offer ideal beach weather with calm seas and sunshine.
South Africa combines Cape Town (dry, hot), the Garden Route coast, and strong Big Five game viewing in the Kruger and private reserves.
Book flights and lodges at least four to six months ahead for December travel.
Why December is a strong month for African safaris
December marks the start of summer across southern Africa and the short rains period in East Africa. Fresh grass covers plains from the Serengeti to the Kalahari, drawing large herbivore herds and the predators that follow them.
Game viewing is productive: animals are easier to spot against green backgrounds, and predator activity peaks as prey concentrates near water and new grazing. Migrant birds arrive in huge numbers, adding colour and movement to the bush.
Weather is warm to hot. Daytime temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C in most safari regions. Afternoon thunderstorms occur inland but are usually brief. Mornings and evenings remain pleasant for game drives.
The longer days mean extended viewing hours. Malaria risk is present in low-lying reserves; consult a travel doctor before departure.
Is December considered peak season for African safaris?
Yes. December sits squarely in peak season for southern and East Africa. European and North American travellers escape winter, and South African families holiday domestically.
Lodge availability tightens from mid-December through early January, and rates are at their annual high. Expect busy parks, fuller game drive vehicles, and longer waits at popular gates.
If you value exclusivity, consider travelling in the first half of December or book high-end private concessions where guest numbers are controlled year-round.
1. South Africa
South Africa in December combines excellent Big Five safari in the northeast with beach and city options in the Western and Eastern Cape. Infrastructure is first-rate, self-drive is straightforward, and the country handles high volumes of visitors smoothly.
The Kruger National Park and adjoining private reserves (Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Manyeleti) deliver strong predator sightings as summer heat concentrates game near rivers and waterholes.
Cape Town enjoys hot, dry weather with long sunshine hours. Table Mountain and the Winelands are at their greenest. The city's beaches (Camps Bay, Clifton, Boulders) fill with locals and visitors. December is ideal for outdoor dining, wine tasting, and coastal drives.
The Garden Route between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay offers sandy beaches, lagoons, forests and small towns. Families favour this stretch for a relaxed, self-drive beach holiday.
Daily temperatures in the Kruger region reach 30°C to 35°C, with afternoon thunderstorms clearing quickly. Cape Town sits around 26°C to 30°C, bone-dry and breezy. The Garden Route is slightly cooler, 22°C to 28°C, with occasional rain.
December is peak season nationwide; lodges and villas book solid for Christmas and New Year. Secure accommodation four to six months ahead. Expect premium rates, particularly for lodges in private reserves and beachfront villas.
What is the best way to combine Cape Town and a safari in December?
Fly into Cape Town, spend three to four nights exploring the city, Winelands and Cape Peninsula, then fly direct to a private reserve near Kruger (Sabi Sand or Timbavati) for three to four nights of Big Five safari.
Direct flights from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International or private airstrips make this seamless. Alternatively, self-drive the Garden Route for four to five nights between Cape Town and a coastal stop like Plettenberg Bay, then fly to Kruger. This structure balances city culture, beaches and serious game viewing within a 10 to 12-day itinerary.
Kruger / Sabi Sand — best time to visit
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 26° | 24° | 24° | 26° | 28° | 29° | 30° | 31° |
| High °F | 90° | 88° | 86° | 82° | 79° | 75° | 75° | 79° | 82° | 84° | 86° | 88° |
| Rain mm | 110 | 95 | 75 | 35 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 25 | 55 | 85 | 105 |
| Rating |
Kruger / Sabi Sand: Dry winter (May–Sep) gives the best game viewing; summer is lush but wet.
Ideal — Peak conditions — dry, comfortable, prime wildlife or beach time.
Good — Great conditions with brief showers or warmer days; still highly recommended.
Shoulder — Mixed weather — fewer crowds and lower rates, occasional rain.
Avoid — Heaviest rain or roughest seas; many camps and roads can be affected.
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2. Botswana
Botswana's Okavango Delta and northern parks are green and game-rich in December. The Delta floods between May and September, but by December water levels drop and land-based game drives become the primary activity.
Predators (lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog) follow large herbivore herds onto the plains. Elephants are everywhere, and antelope species calve, attracting attention from big cats.
The Chobe River front near Kasane offers dense elephant concentrations. Moremi Game Reserve in the Delta provides varied habitat and excellent leopard sightings.
The Central Kalahari is hot, dry and wild, best for experienced safari-goers seeking solitude.
Weather is hot (30°C to 38°C) with afternoon storms. Mornings and evenings are cooler, ideal for game drives. Botswana caps visitor numbers through high lodge rates and limited concessions, so even in December the bush feels uncrowded compared to mass-market parks elsewhere.
Botswana is a high-cost destination year-round. December sits in the green season (November to March), which is marginally cheaper than the dry winter months but still commands $500 to $1,500 per person per night at quality lodges, all-inclusive.
Lodges fill for Christmas and New Year; book six months out. Light aircraft connect camps; plan on fly-in safaris unless you are equipped and experienced for self-drive 4x4 expeditions.
Okavango Delta — best time to visit
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 32° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 25° | 25° | 28° | 32° | 34° | 33° | 32° |
| High °F | 90° | 88° | 88° | 86° | 82° | 77° | 77° | 82° | 90° | 93° | 91° | 90° |
| Rain mm | 110 | 90 | 70 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 35 | 65 | 95 |
| Rating |
Okavango Delta: Floodwaters peak Jun–Aug — prime mokoro and game viewing; summer is hot and wet.
Ideal — Peak conditions — dry, comfortable, prime wildlife or beach time.
Good — Great conditions with brief showers or warmer days; still highly recommended.
Shoulder — Mixed weather — fewer crowds and lower rates, occasional rain.
Avoid — Heaviest rain or roughest seas; many camps and roads can be affected.
3. Tanzania
Tanzania's Serengeti in December is extraordinary. The short rains (November to December) green the southern plains, and by late December the first wildebeest calves are born. Hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle gather in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area.
Predators (lion, cheetah, hyena) follow closely, and the calving season (late December through February) delivers some of the year's most dramatic predator-prey interactions.
The Ngorongoro Crater remains superb for Big Five sightings. Tarangire National Park swells with elephants and other game as water sources shrink.
The northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara (Kenya) are quieter; the main herds have moved south. Weather is warm (25°C to 30°C) with short afternoon rains that rarely disrupt game drives. The landscape is lush and photogenic.
December is peak season in Tanzania. Lodges and tented camps in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu fill early. Expect premium rates ($400 to $1,200 per person per night, all-inclusive, depending on lodge tier).
Mobile camps follow the herds and offer the best access to calving areas. Book at least four to six months ahead. Fly into Kilimanjaro International (JRO) or Arusha (ARK), then connect via light aircraft to airstrips near your camps.
Serengeti — best time to visit
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 28° | 28° | 28° | 26° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 26° | 27° | 27° | 28° |
| High °F | 82° | 82° | 82° | 79° | 75° | 73° | 73° | 75° | 79° | 81° | 81° | 82° |
| Rain mm | 65 | 80 | 130 | 195 | 95 | 15 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 60 | 115 | 105 |
| Rating |
Serengeti: Calving in the southern Serengeti Jan–Mar; river crossings in the north Jul–Oct.
Ideal — Peak conditions — dry, comfortable, prime wildlife or beach time.
Good — Great conditions with brief showers or warmer days; still highly recommended.
Shoulder — Mixed weather — fewer crowds and lower rates, occasional rain.
Avoid — Heaviest rain or roughest seas; many camps and roads can be affected.
4. Kenya
Kenya's Maasai Mara in December is post-migration and quieter than the July to October peak, but game viewing remains strong.
Resident prides of lion, leopard and cheetah hunt year-round, and elephant, buffalo and giraffe populations are stable. The Mara Triangle and private conservancies (Mara Naboisho, Olare Motorogi, Mara North) offer less crowded alternatives to the main reserve.
Amboseli National Park at the foot of Kilimanjaro provides classic elephant photography against the mountain backdrop. Laikipia Plateau conservancies deliver rhino sightings, wild dog and diverse birdlife in a less-visited setting.
The coast (Diani Beach, Lamu, Watamu) enjoys warm, sunny weather with calm seas, ideal for post-safari beach extensions. Weather is warm (24°C to 30°C) with occasional afternoon showers. Humidity rises along the coast.
December is high season. Lodges raise rates and fill quickly around Christmas and New Year. Expect $350 to $1,000+ per person per night in quality camps.
The Mara is busier than conservancies; if exclusivity matters, book a private conservancy camp. Fly into Nairobi (NBO), then connect via scheduled or private light aircraft to Mara, Amboseli or Laikipia airstrips. Combine a four-night Mara safari with three nights on the coast for a balanced itinerary.
Masai Mara — best time to visit
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 28° | 29° | 29° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 26° | 27° |
| High °F | 82° | 84° | 84° | 79° | 77° | 75° | 75° | 77° | 81° | 82° | 79° | 81° |
| Rain mm | 60 | 60 | 100 | 200 | 145 | 35 | 30 | 50 | 45 | 65 | 115 | 85 |
| Rating |
Masai Mara: Great Migration peaks Jul–Oct; long rains Mar–May, short rains Nov.
Ideal — Peak conditions — dry, comfortable, prime wildlife or beach time.
Good — Great conditions with brief showers or warmer days; still highly recommended.
Shoulder — Mixed weather — fewer crowds and lower rates, occasional rain.
Avoid — Heaviest rain or roughest seas; many camps and roads can be affected.
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5. Indian Ocean islands
The Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zanzibar) shine in December. Weather is warm, seas are calm, and skies are mostly clear.
Seychelles enjoys its drier, cooler season (May to October) but December remains excellent for beaches, snorkelling and diving.
Mauritius sits in summer with warm water (26°C to 28°C) and sunshine, though occasional cyclones can form (rare in December but possible).
Mozambique's Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos offer secluded beaches and superb diving.
Zanzibar combines beach relaxation with Stone Town's history and spice tours.
December is peak season across the islands.
Resorts fill for Christmas and New Year, and rates climb. Expect $400 to $1,500+ per night at luxury properties. Book six months ahead if travelling over the holiday period.
These islands pair naturally with mainland safaris: Seychelles after Kenya or Tanzania, Mauritius after South Africa, Mozambique after northern South Africa or southern Tanzania, Zanzibar after the Serengeti.
Which Indian Ocean island is best for a December honeymoon?
Seychelles leads for exclusivity, dramatic granite-boulder beaches and luxurious private-island resorts. It is remote, expensive ($600 to $2,000+ per night at top properties) and less developed than Mauritius, making it ideal for couples seeking seclusion.
Mauritius offers more variety (beaches, mountains, cultural sites, water sports) at slightly lower cost ($300 to $1,000+ per night).
Mozambique appeals to adventurous honeymooners who want diving, dhow cruises and a wilder feel, with fewer crowds.
Zanzibar suits couples combining safari with beach at moderate cost, though it is busier and less polished than Seychelles or Mauritius.
How far in advance should you book an African safari for December?
Six months minimum for mainstream lodges and camps. Nine to twelve months for high-demand properties (southern Serengeti mobile camps, top Sabi Sand lodges, Seychelles private islands) and any travel over Christmas or New Year.
December is peak season across southern and East Africa; availability tightens quickly.
If your dates are fixed and you want specific lodges, start planning a year out. Flexibility with dates (travelling early December instead of mid to late) can ease booking pressure slightly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Africa in December?
December is summer in southern Africa and East Africa. Expect hot daytime temperatures (25°C to 38°C depending on region), with afternoon thunderstorms common inland. Storms are usually brief and rarely disrupt game drives.
Coastal areas and islands enjoy warm, mostly sunny weather with calm seas. Cape Town is hot and dry. Humidity rises in low-lying areas. Pack lightweight clothing, sun protection, a light rain jacket and insect repellent for safari regions.
Is December a good time to see the Great Migration?
Yes, but the focus shifts south. By December the wildebeest herds have moved to the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area in Tanzania, where fresh grass follows the short rains. Late December marks the start of calving season, which runs through February.
This period offers dramatic predator activity as lions, cheetahs and hyenas prey on vulnerable calves. The northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara see fewer animals in December, so plan your itinerary around the southern plains if the Migration is your priority.
How much does an African safari cost in December?
December is peak season, so expect premium rates. Budget safaris in parks like Kruger or the Maasai Mara start around $200 to $350 per person per night, mid-range private reserves or camps run $400 to $800, and luxury lodges range from $800 to $2,000+ per person per night, all-inclusive (accommodation, meals, game drives, most drinks).
Flight costs rise in December due to holiday demand. A 10-day safari combining two or three camps typically costs $6,000 to $15,000+ per person, excluding international flights. Indian Ocean island extensions add $400 to $1,500+ per night.
What should you pack for an African safari in December?
Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, high SPF sunscreen, polarised sunglasses and insect repellent.
Include a light fleece or long-sleeve layer for early morning drives, which can be cool despite daytime heat. A waterproof jacket handles afternoon storms. Comfortable walking shoes or boots, sandals for lodges, binoculars, camera with telephoto lens, reusable water bottle and a small daypack complete the essentials.
Check your lodge's laundry policy; most offer complimentary daily laundry, so you can pack fewer clothes.
Can you combine safari and beach in December?
Absolutely. December is ideal for this combination. Pair South Africa's Kruger region (three to four nights) with Mozambique's coast or Cape Town beaches (three to four nights).
Combine Tanzania's Serengeti or Kenya's Mara (four nights) with Zanzibar or Seychelles (three to five nights). Botswana's Delta (four nights) works well before Mauritius or Seychelles (four to five nights).
Logistics are straightforward: regional flights connect safari hubs to coastal airports, and most luxury operators arrange seamless transfers. A 10 to 14-day itinerary balances both elements comfortably.
Are there any downsides to visiting Africa in December?
Yes. December is peak season, so lodges are expensive and heavily booked, parks can be crowded (especially Kruger, the Mara and the Serengeti's southern plains), and popular gates see vehicle congestion. Rain, though usually brief, can make dirt roads muddy and challenging.
Malaria risk is higher in summer due to mosquitoes thriving after rains. Lastly, travelling over Christmas and New Year means paying top rates and competing for limited availability.
If you can travel in the first half of December or avoid the 24 December to 3 January window, you will encounter slightly better availability and marginally lower rates while still enjoying excellent conditions.
