27 places at their best in November
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
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
The Garden Route
South Africa’s classic road trip of lagoons, forests, beaches and adventure.
Sep to Apr 4 to 7 days
Makgadikgadi Pans
Endless salt flats, meerkats and a zebra migration after the rains.
May to Mar 2 nights
Victoria Falls
One of the largest waterfalls in the world, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Feb to Nov 2 to 3 nights
Bazaruto Archipelago
Turquoise water, sand dunes and coral reefs in a protected marine park.
May to Nov 3 to 5 nights
Tofo
A laid-back beach town famous for diving with manta rays and whale sharks.
Apr to Nov 4 to 6 nights
Marrakech
Souks, riads and the nightly theatre of Jemaa el-Fna square.
Mar to May, Sep to Nov 3 to 4 nights
Fes
The world’s largest car-free urban area, a medieval medina still working as it always has.
Mar to May, Sep to Nov 2 to 3 nights
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes
Orange Saharan dunes, camel treks and nights in a desert camp.
Mar to May, Oct to Nov 1 to 2 nights
Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza
The last standing wonder of the ancient world, at the edge of a huge, lively city.
Oct to Apr 3 nights
Luxor
The world’s greatest open-air museum: temples, tombs and the Valley of the Kings.
Oct to Apr 2 to 3 nights
Aswan and Abu Simbel
Nubian culture, felucca sails and the colossal temples of Ramesses II.
Oct to Apr 2 nights
Red Sea coast of Egypt
Some of the world’s best coral reefs, a few hours from Europe.
Mar to May, Sep to Nov 4 to 7 nights
Simien Mountains
Dramatic escarpments with gelada monkeys and Ethiopian wolves.
Oct to Mar 3 to 5 nights
Cape Coast and Elmina
Coastal castles that tell the story of the Atlantic slave trade.
Nov to Mar 2 nights
Dakar and Gorée Island
A lively Atlantic capital, plus the island symbol of the slave trade.
Nov to May 3 nights
Andasibe-Mantadia
Rainforest where the indri, the largest lemur, sings each morning.
Apr to Nov 2 nights
Avenue of the Baobabs and Morondava
A dirt road lined with giant baobabs, glowing at sunset.
Apr to Nov 1 to 2 nights
Praslin and La Digue
Granite boulders, turquoise water and some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere.
Apr to May, Oct to Nov 4 to 7 nights
Le Morne and southwest Mauritius
A dramatic mountain over a turquoise lagoon, with kitesurfing and forest hikes nearby.
May to Dec 5 to 7 nights
Weather by region
Short rains; green and quieter.
First rains and baby animals.
Pleasant days, cool nights.
Dry season: best time to visit.
Warm; Seychelles calm season.
Eastern and central Serengeti. Short rains draw the herds south. The herds follow the rain, so this is the typical pattern, not a promise.
Month by month →Events and natural spectacles
- Whale sharks arriveAbout November to February · Djibouti
Festival dates can change, especially those set by religious calendars. Confirm before you book.
Countries in their best season
Countries where most governments advise against travel are left out.


























