When is the best time to visit Londolozi? We often get asked this question knowing that the answer will vary depending on personal preference. Each month offers something different, and every season unravels new panels of colour, the presence of different forms of life and of course, a change in weather. This means that you’ll have to visit our reserve more than once, and preferably at different times of the year, to truly get a sense of your favourite season at Londolozi.
We love that every month of the year offers something unique for our guests and it’s for this reason that we’ve compiled a calendar that includes the very best of each month. The best time to visit Londolozi always depends on what you want to see, do and experience. Let’s discover when your best time would be to visit Londolozi:
January
Why should I go on safari in January?
It’s the height of summer during January and it’s at this time that you can expect hot days, often resulting in spectacular thunderstorms. The smell of rain on dry earth signals the beginning of the summer months. The land comes alive in variegated greens from the lush grasses to leafy treetops that provide a delicious feast for tall browsers such as elephants and giraffes.
What is wildlife photography like in summer?
Is the best time to visit Londolozi in summer? Well, you’ll have to decide, but what we can say is that it’s a beautiful season indeed. During summer you will have the opportunity to photograph dramatic thunderstorms, vibrant colours and wildlife in extremely good condition. Most wildlife look spectacular on a green backdrop, in particular zebra and many of the cats, which stand out against the greenery. Come and speak to us at our onsite Photographic Studio for advice, canvas printing or camera rentals to enhance your safari experience.
February
Why should I go on safari in February?
February is the month of love, and as you’ll come to experience during your stay, there is no better place to celebrate love than at Londolozi. Many Honeymoon couples choose Londolozi as part of their trip and we love tailoring their experience to a special occasion. Enjoy exciting game drives (you can even have a private game vehicle customised for two), spectacular sunsets, tranquil double body-treatments in the Healing House, and romantic evenings around the campfire followed by candle-lit dinner under a star studded sky.
March
Why should I go on safari in March?
The summer rains mostly fall between November to February each year, however the bush remains alive with flowering plants as the progression towards Autumn begins. It is not uncommon to see many beautiful blooms attracting antelopes that take advantage of the plentiful food sources. While the Big Five often attract the most attention, there’s a world at your feet to marvel at.
Clumps of mauve/blue bluebell barleria (Baleria spa); the bunched head of bright scarlet firecracker flowers (Crossandra spp) and the mauve indigo flowers (Indigofera sp) with small bean pods are all part of an array of smaller flowering plants to admire. Days are mild during March making game drives pleasant at any time of the day.
April
Why should I go on safari in April?
April is a wonderful time with warm, sunny days and crisp evenings. The beginning of Autumn’s chill starts to creep in and is noticeable in the drop in temperature during the evenings. During this time, the landscape is still wonderfully lush owing to summer rains, however big breeding herds of elephants begin to spend more time in and around the Sand River. April is also the month of the impala rut and many interesting sightings of these animals interacting, fighting and mating with each other are possible.
If you’re at Londolozi during Easter then you’ll be treated to a bush breakfast under a canopy of trees where you might even catch a glimpse of the Easter bunny bearing hot cross buns and chocolate eggs! This is always a special day for the Londolozi Family and guests alike…
May
Why should I go on safari in May?
May marks the beginning of winter at Londolozi. It’s during this time that the reserve offers a variety of activities best suited to the winter months. Think tracking, bush breakfasts, wine tasting and stargazing. Huddle around a fire while enjoying some of South Africa’s finest wines under a blanket of stars. The benefit of this time is that the insects of summer have left and you need not worry about bugs!
What is wildlife photography like in winter?
Winter skies in South Africa are at their clearest during the months of May, June, July and August. Londolozi is one of the best places to see stars without the pollution and lights that limit stargazing in cities and areas where there are large populations of people. Take along your camera and practice your night photography capturing the African skies at their brightest. Ask your guide to tell you a bit more about the constellations and to advise you on the correct settings for capturing night scenes like this:
And this…
June
Why should I go on safari in June?
In winter the sacred coral tree steals the show with its conspicuous red flower spikes. These tube-like flowers appear from June through to October. It’s also aloe flowering season making for attractive displays. The nectar is a magnet for a variety of bird species such as starlings, weavers, orioles and butterflies. Despite the early morning chill, the days are balmy and grasses are short making your morning game drive longer and easier to spot wildlife.
Tip: Bring along your binoculars and bird books to identify the sightings that you see. June is a wonderful time for bird viewing – remember to bring along your telephoto lenses for getting close-up images or hire a lens/binoculars at our Photographic Studio.
Wild dog viewing can often be more productive in the winter. Should a pack of wild dogs choose a den-site on Londolozi or the surrounding properties, the likelihood of regular sightings is greatly enhanced as the dogs localise their vast movements and hunt almost daily.
July
Why should I go on safari in July?
It is now the height of winter where the days are cool and the animals are a lot more active during the daytime. This means that your chances of seeing a lot more action taking place are increased. The summer rains have dried up but for a few pans, dams and rivers where animals congregate and interactions play out.
August
Why should I go on safari in August?
The pans have dried up and large breeding herds of elephants are frequently seen throughout the Sand River and often from camp. This localisation of water, also makes predator viewing spectacular as the big cats spend time around water points ambushing their prey.
September
Why should I go on safari in September?
September is the start of spring in South Africa, however the bush remains golden brown, with dusty sunsets owing to the long winter. The spring rain has not yet arrived, however the first glimpses of green shoots and leaves start to appear.
October
Why should I go on safari in October?
During this time plants and grasses begin to resurface attracting sunbirds, sugarbirds and insect pollinators. It’s the end of the dry season and days start to become warmer as we head into the summer months. Birding at this time of the year is at its best with the return of summer migrants. Look out for the red-chested cuckoo and carmine, white-fronted and little bee-eaters as well as the many other fancy feathered birds that make the long trek from the cold northern hemisphere to the much warmer south.
November
Why should I go on safari in November?
This is the start of lambing season when impalas give birth to their young. There is nothing as exciting as seeing young newborns springing up in all corners of the reserve. The lambs are very skittish being vulnerable to predators and tend to stay close to their mom at all times for protection.
Towards the last week of November, a mass of wildebeest calves are born. Many survive these initial weeks on earth, however there are a few which are hunted by lions and leopards. Their small size and lack of experience make them easy targets for big cats.
December
Why should I go on safari in December?
The Londolozi choir arrives in full force. Frogs of all sorts ring out beautiful melodies that harmonise with the sounds of crickets chirping. Along with frogs, summer time brings great tortoise and butterfly sightings. It’s also at this time that you can experience long fiery sunsets and windless evenings.
Join us on New Year’s eve as we say goodbye to the year that has been. The Londolozi team know how to put on a party that will have you in high spirits as you dance out the old year!
What is the best time to visit Londolozi?
What is the best time to visit Londolozi? What time of year do you most enjoy visiting the bush?
Please share your thoughts and reasons with us below…
If you have any questions about what time of the year to visit Londolozi, please ask it below and we will get back to you.
First time was September. Second time was March. Third time will be September. Each day was spectacular-especially when a rhino was sighted. However, if it was up to me, I would be in Londolozi every day of the year, forever!
Hi Arden, thanks so much, we look look forward to your return visit in September!
After experiencing the magic of Londolozi last April during our 10th anniversary, the right answer is “anytime” is the right time to be at Londolozi. We cannot wait to plan a trip back in the future 🙂
Hi Cynthia, you’re 100% right, Londolozi is beautiful no matter what time of year. We look forward to having you visit us again.
what a beautiful blog… cant wait to visit Londolozi!
Wow nice great blog Kate Collins well done
Thank you Dobby. It’s great to have you next to me, giving inspiration at all times!
Lucky me, my birthday month of August is the best time for predator viewing! Hmmm. . .now just must hint to folks where I want to spend my birthday 😉
Sounds like a good plan! We’d love you to visit us , let’s make it happen! 🙂
I can’t pick a particular time which I’d say is best, I love winter as game viewing is great, I love spring when everything starts turning green and all the migratory birds come back, I love summer when everything is lush and beautiful (and gin and tonics flow freely) and I love autumn when the bush starts turning, the evenings start cooling and red wine becomes more palatable in the scorching hot Lowveld.
Lovely blog.
Thank you Kim, I need to book a wine tasting session with you soon!
Lovely blog Kate. I love March, April, May anywhere in SA but particularly at Londoz.
Thank you Karin, it is gorgeous at this time, we had some wonderful rains in March this year and now spectacular sunny days!
I have been in March. August, September and November. Hot in March but mating leopards and all kinds of activity near the river. The climate is gorgeous in Aug/Sep and in Sep we had had a couple of rainshowers which meant the bush had greened up a bit. But November!….wow. The Impala were carpet bombing the bush with their young and the predators were extremely active. The bush was green but not too high so we could see the game. The weather can be an issue; we went out on a cold, rainy horrible day…indeed I think only about 4 vehicles were out in the whole camp. We saw very little for a couple of hours and then big well done to Lucian Beaumont as he got us onto a live wild dog hunt….absolutely the best sighting in 4 visits to Londolozi and a great reward for braving the weather.
Amazing to see a wild dog hunt – Lucian gets full points for that! I’m looking forward to the lambing season and to seeing the newborns take their first steps.
Great blog Kate! Aren’t we so lucky!
We wake up to this amazing place everyday. So exquisite and privileged!
It sounds like any time to visit is a good time, for me October was amazing.
The bush is always very nice no matter when you go.There is always something special in every month !!!
Absolutely!
Love this! If I had one final day to live and it was a rainy, cold, dark day – I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else other than Londolozi!
I would join you! Thanks Kristine, I hope to meet you on your next visit.
Borrowing from Arden: ” However, if it was up to me, I would be in Londolozi every day of the year, forever!”
I have thought it would be great to be there in July and celebrate our wedding anniversary (we were married in Evander in 1981) but I know I wouldn’t like the winter weather so I return in November (for a birthday trip) as often as possible. But, yes, I would be in Londolozi every single day of the year if I could.
November is going to be a special month not only with the impala lambs springing up but also with your birthday! I hope to meet you in November.
I reckon the best time to visit Londolozi is always the next time!
Trying to determine either a late June or late December trip. Any advice?
Typically how many rainy days do you have during December?
We would like to visit Londolozi in March it is our wedding anniversary! is it a good time to see the cats ? How is the weather ?