South Africa in December

December is often a very popular time to travel on an African safari both for locals and those travelling from further afield. Many choose a luxury safari for a family Christmas break so popular parks and lodges can get particularly busy at this time and rates increase accordingly. If you wish to enjoy this incredible experience for your Christmas and New Year holiday, advance booking is essential. If you wish to avoid the crowds at this time it is best to choose one of Kruger National Park’s private concessions or one of the smaller, lesser-known parks.

Being a few months in to the wet season, landscapes are, of course, lush and verdant which create a fantastic backdrop for wildlife photography, despite the animals being harder to locate. 

Your expert guides know the areas well so will be able to get you in the right place at the right time to enjoy great wildlife encounters.

October to April is also the season for migratory birds so make for prime birding months. If you are particularly interested in bird watching, please mention this to your Destination Specialist at the time of booking so we can tailor your safari to your preferences.

Temperatures in Cape Town during December are wonderfully hot so a city/beach break can be perfect at this time. Of course, Christmas and New Year here will be busy too so book accommodation early.