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Africa in January

Where to go in Africa in January

Green-season safaris, the Serengeti calving and winter sun in the north.

← December All months February →

21 places at their best in January

Serengeti National Park

Endless plains, big cats and the Great Migration year-round in different parts of the park.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 3 to 4 nights

Ngorongoro Crater

A vast volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, one of the best places to see black rhino.

Jun to Feb 1 to 2 nights

Masai Mara

Kenya’s most famous reserve, with dense big cat populations and the migration from about July to October.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 3 to 4 nights

Zanzibar

Spice island beaches and the winding alleys of UNESCO-listed Stone Town.

Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb 4 to 7 nights

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s highest mountain, a non-technical climb through five climate zones.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 6 to 9 days

Cape Town

Table Mountain, beaches, penguins, wine and food in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Oct to Apr 4 to 6 nights

Luxor

The world’s greatest open-air museum: temples, tombs and the Valley of the Kings.

Oct to Apr 2 to 3 nights

Lalibela

Medieval churches carved down into solid rock, still in daily use.

Oct to Mar 2 nights

Lamu

A car-free Swahili town of donkeys, dhows and carved doors.

Jul to Mar 3 to 4 nights

Diani Beach

Long white beaches and coral reefs south of Mombasa.

Jul to Mar 3 to 6 nights

Weather by region

East Africa

Short dry season: great for Kenya and Tanzania.

Southern Africa

Wet and green; Cape Town is hot and dry.

North Africa

Cool, sunny days, cold desert nights.

West Africa

Dry season; dusty harmattan winds.

Islands

Hot and humid; cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean.

The Great Migration in January

Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Herds gather on the short-grass plains; calving begins. The herds follow the rain, so this is the typical pattern, not a promise.

Month by month →

Events and natural spectacles

  • Genna (Ethiopian Christmas)Around 7 January · Lalibela
  • TimkatAround 19 January · Gondar, Lalibela
  • Cape Town Street Parade2 January (Tweede Nuwe Jaar) · Cape Town
  • Migration calving beginsJanuary to March · Southern Serengeti

Festival dates can change, especially those set by religious calendars. Confirm before you book.

Countries in their best season

AlgeriaBeninBurundiCameroonCape Verde (Cabo Verde)ChadCôte d’IvoireDemocratic Republic of the CongoDjiboutiEgyptEquatorial GuineaEritreaEthiopiaGhanaGuineaGuinea-BissauKenyaLiberiaMauritaniaNigeriaRepublic of the CongoRwandaSenegalSierra LeoneSouth AfricaSão Tomé and PríncipeTanzaniaThe GambiaTogoUganda

Countries where most governments advise against travel are left out.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I go in Africa in January?
Top picks for January include Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park.
Where is the Great Migration in January?
Usually around the Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Herds gather on the short-grass plains; calving begins. The herds follow the rain, so exact locations vary.
What is the weather like in Africa in January?
East Africa: Short dry season: great for Kenya and Tanzania. Southern Africa: Wet and green; Cape Town is hot and dry. North Africa: Cool, sunny days, cold desert nights. West Africa: Dry season; dusty harmattan winds. Islands: Hot and humid; cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean.