African Safaris in March – Where to Go & Why

Quick snapshot:

• Best for: shoulder-season South Africa touring with safari, Kenya, Botswana’s Kalahari/Makgadikgadi, and Seychelles diving (March–May)
• Weather: the Cape starts cooling slightly (still hot in Cederberg); Namibia can still be hot with afternoon thunderstorms
• Watch-outs: Uganda’s southern rainy season begins (muddy tracks); Victoria Falls rafting is often paused due to high water

Top destination picks for March:

• South Africa – Cape Town / Winelands / Garden Route scenic touring, plus the Eastern Cape for safari; the Cederberg stays warm/hot for those escaping northern winters
• Kenya – still an excellent safari option, with good visibility in many areas
• Botswana (Kalahari & Makgadikgadi Pans) – a standout green-season choice; late Feb–Mar wildlife movements plus strong green season specials
• Namibia – dramatic scenery (but plan for heat and afternoon thunder storms)
• Seychelles – start of one of the best diving windows (March–May)

What’s happening in March:

March is a really useful “in-between” month in South Africa. Summer is easing, but it’s still warm; often perfect for a more active holiday (see our walking tours. and scenic touring without peak-summer heat). Cape Town is typically still dry, while safari areas like Kruger/Madikwe/Waterberg are moving toward the end of their wetter period.

Kenya remains a strong safari option in March. In Tanzania, many northern areas can still be good, but the south is more likely to be wet.

Across parts of Southern Africa the rainy season begins to taper. Namibia can still be hot with afternoon thunderstorms – but that can bring the desert to life, and you may even see landscapes in bloom after rain.

For something truly different, March can be a brilliant time for Botswana’s Kalahari, Boteti River and Makgadikgadi Pans, with seasonal zebra/wildebeest movements as well as excellent green-season prices.

And for a non-safari add-on: March marks the start of one of the best diving periods in the  Seychelles (March–May), with another strong window from September–November.

Victoria Falls is accessible and flow levels over the Falls are on the rise.