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Best destinations to visit in August in Africa

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Serengeti National Park
The Ultimate Safari Adventure
7.9
The name comes from a Maasai word meaning endless plain. Wildebeest herds cross the Mara River in the northern Serengeti in August. Crocodiles wait in the water. Lions and cheetahs follow the herds across the grass. The park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
Highlights:
  • 🎈 Enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon safari over plains
  • 🚙 Take a thrilling game drive to spot the Big Five
  • 🦓 Witness the incredible Great Wildebeest Migration spectacle
Etosha National Park
Namibia's Wildlife Sanctuary
7.7
Dry, white and open, this park is built around a huge salt pan that is visible from space. Waterholes draw elephants, lions and black rhinos in the dry months. Floodlit waterholes at the rest camps let guests watch animals after dark. Roads are good enough for a hire car.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Drive the Etosha Pan’s vast salt flats at sunrise
  • 🦁 Join a guided safari to spot lions and rhinos
  • 🐘 Watch elephants gathering at the Okaukuejo waterhole
Victoria Falls
The Smoke That Thunders
7.5
A common way to see the falls is to walk the rain forest path on the Zimbabwe side. Spray soaks visitors near the edge. The water is lower than in April and May, so views of the cliffs are clearer. The Victoria Falls Bridge crosses the gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
  • 🪂 Bungee jump from the historic Victoria Falls Bridge
  • 🌊 Admire the thundering Victoria Falls from lookout points
Zanzibar
Turquoise Waters and Spice Perfume
7.4
This island off the coast of Tanzania has white sand beaches, coral reefs and the old town of Stone Town. Stone Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow lanes and carved wooden doors. Spice farm tours show cloves and vanilla. The weather is dry and mild.
Highlights:
  • 🐒 Visit Jozani Forest to see rare red colobus monkeys
  • 🤿 Snorkel in the clear waters of Mnemba Atoll and spot vibrant marine life
  • 🏰 Explore Stone Town's narrow streets and historic sites
Chobe National Park
Elephant Haven in Botswana
7.9
The park was created in 1967 and has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Herds come to the Chobe River to drink and bathe in the dry months. Boat safaris pass hippos, crocodiles and buffalo from the water. Game drives along the riverfront are busy with animals.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Watch massive elephant herds at Chobe Riverfront
  • 🚤 Take a boat cruise on the scenic Chobe River
  • 🦁 Join thrilling game drives for wildlife spotting
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Encounters in Ancient Forest
8.3
This ancient forest grows on steep hills in southwestern Uganda near the border with Congo. About half of the world's mountain gorillas live here. Trails are less muddy in the drier months from June to August. Rangers lead small groups to gorilla families. A permit is required for each trek.
Highlights:
  • 🐦 Birdwatch over 350 species including rare Albertine endemics
  • 🥾 Join guided nature walks on scenic forest hiking trails
  • 🦍 Trek with endangered mountain gorillas in their habitat
South Luangwa National Park
Walking Safaris and Wild Encounters
8.0
The park covers about 9,000 square kilometres along the Luangwa River. Hippos and crocodiles crowd the river as the water level falls. Walking safaris and night drives are popular. Leopards are seen often. Thornicroft's giraffe, a kind found only in this valley, feeds on the trees.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot over 400 bird species in diverse habitats
  • 🚶‍♂️ Experience walking safaris guided by expert rangers
  • 🦁 Go on thrilling game drives to see the Big Five
Tarangire National Park
Elephant Paradise with Baobab Backdrops
8.0
Herds of elephants gather along the Tarangire River from about June to October, when water elsewhere has dried up. Giant baobab trees stand across the hills. Lions rest in the shade of acacia trees. Zebras and wildebeest also come to the river to drink. Birdlife is rich, with more than 500 species recorded.
Highlights:
  • 🌳 Watch baobab trees glow under golden evening light
  • 🦁 Take a guided safari to witness the Big Five
  • 🐘 Spot herds of majestic elephants near the Tarangire River
Nyerere National Park
Untamed savannahs echo with wildlife symphony
7.8
The park lies in southern Tanzania along the Rufiji River. Boat safaris pass hippos, crocodiles and elephants at the water's edge. Walking safaris with armed rangers are also offered. Wild dogs are seen here more often than in many northern parks. Lakes and channels are good places for birdwatching.
Highlights:
  • 🦁 Witness lions hunting near waterholes at dusk
  • 🚣‍♂️ Explore mangrove forests on guided canoe tour
  • 🐘 Spot elephants roaming the riverine savannah
Okavango Delta
Africa’s Uncharted Water Wilderness
8.0
Guides pole mokoro, traditional dugout canoes, through reed channels. Water from Angola's rains reaches the delta in the dry months, so channels are full in August. Elephants and hippos gather near the water. Camps on islands have tents with views of the floodplain. Evenings are quiet except for frogs and hippos.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot diverse bird species during dedicated birding tours
  • 🛶 Glide silently through waterways in a traditional mokoro
  • 🦁 Explore the wildlife on guided 4x4 safari drives
Volcanoes National Park
Majestic volcanoes rise over misty valleys
8.5
This park is smaller than Bwindi and only a two hour drive from Kigali. Visitors trek through bamboo forest on volcano slopes to see mountain gorilla families. A permit is required for each trek. Golden monkeys can also be seen. The grave of researcher Dian Fossey is a day hike away.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Stroll through scenic Lake Kivu shoreline
  • 🐒 Spot golden monkeys in Nyungwe forest canopy
  • 🦍 Hike Volcanoes National Park's gorilla trail
Ruaha National Park
Untamed savannahs echo with ancient rhythms
7.6
Compared with the Serengeti this park is wilder and quieter, with only a few camps. It has large lion prides and many greater kudu antelope. The Great Ruaha River draws elephants and giraffes in the dry months. Baobab trees stand across the dry hills. Sunsets over the plains are wide and quiet.
Highlights:
  • 🦁 Track lions stalking prey in the early morning
  • 🐘 Spot a herd of elephants near the river bend
  • 🌅 Witness sunrise over the vast Ruaha plains
Maasai Mara
Endless savannahs echo with wildlife rhythms
8.6
The reserve is named for the Maasai people who live around it and for the Mara River. Wildebeest herds crowd the river banks before they cross. Lions, leopards and cheetahs are easy to find on the open plains. Hot air balloon rides drift above the grass at sunrise.
Highlights:
  • 🏕️ Camp under starlit sky, hear lions roar
  • 🎈 Ride a hot air balloon over Serengeti plains
  • 🐘 Witness the Great Migration across Mara River
Kenya
Safari paradise meets coastal charm
6.6
Dozens of parks and reserves, plus Indian Ocean beaches, fit into one trip. Amboseli has elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro behind them. Samburu in the north has rare species such as the Grevy's zebra and the reticulated giraffe. Diani Beach has white sand and calm water for a rest after safari.
Highlights:
  • 🦁 Go on a Big Five safari in Amboseli National Park
  • 🏔️ Climb Mount Kenya and enjoy panoramic alpine views
  • 🦓 Witness the Great Migration across the Maasai Mara plains
Namibia
Desert wilderness meets wildlife wonders
6.9
Days are warm and dry in the desert. Nights can be cold, so pack a jacket. The red dunes of Sossusvlei and the dead trees of Deadvlei are clear in the sharp light. Swakopmund on the coast has sandboarding and quad bike tours. Roads are quiet and the skies are full of stars.
Highlights:
  • ⚓ Visit the eerie shipwrecks along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast
  • 🐘 Spot wildlife on a safari through Etosha National Park
  • 🏜️ Climb the towering red dunes of Sossusvlei at sunrise
South Africa
Where wildlife meets diverse landscapes
7.6
Varied and well developed for visitors, this country has safari, coast and city travel in one trip. Kruger National Park is dry in August and animals gather at rivers. Southern right whales visit the coast near Hermanus from about June to November. Cape Town is cool and can be wet.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Explore the scenic Blyde River Canyon
  • 🥾 Hike to Maclear’s Beacon on Table Mountain
  • 🐘 Go on safari in Kruger National Park
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