In every country the rhythm of the seasons clothes each land in new colours, causes birds and animals to migrate and brings festivals and carnivals. Some countries have two or three climates and the “best time to travel” can depend upon your aims and interests as much as weather charts. Take a look at this calendar for inspiration. Then talk to us and we’ll tell you which places would be ideal for you at the time of year you’d like to travel.
January is the height of summer in Cape Town, across the rolling winelands, and all the way along the scenic garden route. A week of bright blue skies and sunshine here is the perfect antidote to a British winter.
The green season occurs once the rains have come and the landscape turns to the lushest shade of jade. The birds and animals are thriving with so much to eat, but the camps are much quieter and affordable than in the drier months.
Hundreds of thousands of zebra gather on the Serengeti’s short grass plains ready to act as a giant lawnmower, eating the longer tough grasses before the million following wildebeest.
The world’s least explored continent must be seen from every angle. In January the sun barely sets, so it’s the ideal time to sail beside whale, walk through penguin colonies on the beaches, and witness the mighty albatross soar.
January is in the middle of Patagonia’s summer, so although there is still snow on the peaks, it’s an unbeatable time for hiking. Trek mountain trails, cross a glacier on foot, and kayak on lakes and rivers whilst admiring pristine landscapes.
When the rains arrive in Brazilian Pantanal -- the world’s largest tropical wetland -- the birds are in their element. More than 1,000 species, resident and migrant, have been recorded, including hyacinth macaw and crowned solitary eagle.
January’s Journeymiths’ favourite time to visit Costa Rica as you can combine the natural treasures of the rainforest with the laidback delights of the beach. Temperatures are warm and there’s little rain on the Pacific coast.
Volcanic Easter Island is famed for its mysterious moai, but there’s far more to the island than the stone heads. In January you can hike, bike, and even scuba dive on the coral reef. There’s even a moai under the sea!
Iguazu Falls straddles the border between Argentina and Brazil. The river is in full spate during the rains in January, so the falls are at their fullest and most impressive. The neighbouring parks and lodges are relatively quiet.
Start the year with some family time, getting to know your closest primate relatives better! The mountain gorilla are the biggest draw in Uganda and Rwanda, but we also adore watching the more active chimpanzee, who build their nests high in the trees.
In January the Great Migration - the world’s most spectacular movement of animals - settles in the plains of the southern Serengeti. Travel now to Tanzania to see the herds of zebra and wildebeest, and the predators following in their wake.
If you’re a keen birder, you’ll already know that Uganda is one of East Africa’s birding hotspot with more than 1,030 recorded species. Visit in January to see shoebill, green breasted pitta, African green broadbill, and more.
Make the most of the wet season in Zambia by taking to the water. Kayaking on the Zambezi, the Kafue, or the Luangwa Rivers in the early morning is the best way to see birds, and nothing is more romantic than a river boat cruise as the sun goes down.
The Pacific and Caribbean coastlines of tiny Costa Rica have glorious beaches, while inland you can discover a world of rainforests, volcanoes, and lively culture. February is a fantastic time to visit and experience everything the country has to offer.
It’s hard to believe, but if it weren’t for the rains which fall in the Angolan Highlands and flow along the Okavango River, the Okavango Delta would be a desert! Celebrate the life giving waters in February when the vegetation burgeons.
The Bengal tiger is the undisputed king of India’s jungles. In February, the weather is cool and dry, perfect for an adventure in the Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, or Jim Corbett National Parks, where the concentration of tiger is highest.
Encountering mountain gorilla in the Virunga Mountains - their last wild habitat - rightly tops many wildlife lovers’ bucket lists. Journeysmiths arranges exclusive gorilla treks and habituation experiences with Uganda’s leading primatologists.
Patagonia is the southernmost tip of South America, where steppe like plains collide with mountains and glaciers. The stunning national parks are a rugged playground for hikers, especially if you go all the way to the Tierra del Fuego.
The Kalahari zebra migrates from the desert to the delta in February, in pursuit of fresh, green grass. Follow the herds across the sands on their seasonal journey, when 30,000 sets of hooves kick up the dust in an awesome display.
Water levels in Pantanal - the world’s largest wetland area - are at their peak in February. The huge lagoons are interspersed with islands of vegetation. Food is abundant, and therefore so too are the stork, duck, teal, and egret.
South Africa is a year round destination, but the Cape really comes into its own in February, towards the end of its summer. Pick Cape Town for a fabulous city break, and combine it with a drive along the famous Garden Route to fully appreciate the coast.
Easter Island’s mysterious stone heads draw visitors to their remote Pacific island. This February, consider making the journey. You will certainly have seen them in photos, but nothing can prepare you for getting up close to the stones.
February in the Argentinian wine region of Mendoza means three things: clear skies, mild weather, and a sublime, warm colour palette as the leaves turn yellow, rusty red, and orange. Oh, and it’s conveniently grape harvest time, too!
The chances are that you are only going to visit Antarctica once. Make the most of it. Cruise down to the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia. Hike across the ice wearing snowshoes or skis. And then, the finale: fly right over the South Pole.
When you’re sailing by day and sleeping onboard a ship at night, you don’t want choppy waters. In February, the Galapagos is wonderfully calm, making boat trips pleasurable and ensuring it’s easy to get ashore to explore the many islands.
February is when the wildebeest are calving the southern Serengeti. Watching a calf be born and take its first few faltering steps in this world is a magical, often very emotional moment, and the reason this is Journeysmiths’ favourite time to visit Tanzania.
600,000 wildebeest calves are born in three mad weeks in February and March, and each one of them is up and running with the herd in matter of minutes. Join them as they begin their epic migration across Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains.
The most impressive waterfalls in Latin America are still full and powerful in March, but in places the rocks start to peak through the water. This makes for very attractive landscape photos, and you even have a chance of blue skies.
Peninsula Valdes has the most abundant marine life in Argentina. Allow yourself three weeks in March to make the most of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, watching endangered southern right whale, orca, elephant seal, and sea lion.
Botswana has the most luxurious camps and lodges in Africa, and in March they are wonderfully quiet. You might well have one of the stunning, secluded property to yourself, and with it an entire private concession to explore on an unforgettable safari.
Celebrate harvest festival in Mendoza, Argentina. In March, the grape harvest is complete, and there are all manner of festivities to mark the occasion, from community lunches to tastings, car rallies, concerts, and even a vineyard marathon.
Africa’s most famous waterfall straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. In March, the falls are in full flow, throwing up vast clouds of spray, with dozens of rainbows dancing majestically between them.
Pantanal is the birding heart of Brazil. And in a country with more than 1,800 confirmed species, that’s saying something! March is the end of the rainy season, and on a single trip you can expect to see as many as 350 different birds.
Before the monsoon rains arrive, head into India’s jungles to track the mighty Bengal tiger. Bandhavgarh National Park and the Kanha Tiger Reserve both have stable tiger populations and expert guides, who know just where the tiger are hiding.
The Cape’s fine weather continues into March, and at the end of a long winter at home, nothing beats stepping off the plane in Cape Town and being met by glorious sunshine. Treat yourself to a tour of the Cape Winelands: it’s the icing on the cake.
Costa Rica is the world’s pre-eminent eco tourism destination, and it also boasts some of Latin America’s very best beaches. Travelling in March, you can combine the two, seeing two very different sides of this stunning little country.
Looking for a hiker’s paradise? The national parks of Patagonia - the southernmost part of Chile and Argentina - have epic vistas, fascinating wildlife, well developed hiking trails, excellent guides, and some superb places to stay.
There’s far more to Easter Island than the famous and mysterious stone heads. What you probably didn’t know is that it’s also a fantastic destination for diving! You get good visibility down to 60 m and swim with sea turtle and whale.
By April, the sea water of the Galapagos is warm enough for you to jump off the back of your yacht and have a swim. You’ll be sharing the water with the archipelago’s incredible marine life, 20% of which is found nowhere else on Earth.
As connoisseurs of the Indian Ocean, we think that there’s no better time to visit Mauritius than in April. Gentle breezes and sunny days are perfect for water sports, beach life and a round of golf, rounded off with a candlelit dinner on the beach.
People wax lyrical about the autumn foliage in New England, but its fabulous explosion of colour is easily matched by that in Mendoza, Argentina. Here, it’s not just the trees turning gold, orange, and red: it’s the leaves in the vineyards, too.
There’s more than one way to get to Machu Picchu: that’s why we talk about the Inca Trails. In April, the routes are less crowded than at other times of year, enhancing the majesty of the landscape and the sense of achievement when you arrive.
By April, the rock formations behind the waterfall have started to become visible at Iguazu Falls, so you can better appreciate the geology. With the sunshine comes not only rainbows but butterflies, too, making the place feel very magical indeed.
Come to remote Easter Island in April and criss cross the island on a variety of eco friendly activities. Horses and ponies are commonplace, so there are plenty of opportunities to ride. The hiking and mountain biking trails are excellent, too.
The Kalolo-Lozi people call Victoria Falls Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders.” In May, this name is especially apt as the volume of water crashing down onto the rocks makes a formidable din. It’s guaranteed to set your heart racing.
To reset your body and mind, you need to go far from the madding crowd. Seek out Zambia’s remote Liuwa Plain and witness the second largest wildebeest migration in an unspoilt landscape of spellbinding beauty.
Peru is relatively quiet in May, so it’s one of our favourite times to tackle the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Take the opportunity to visit some of the other, equally impressive Inca sites along the way. They’re even more stunning without the crowds.
Everyone loves turtle: and rightly so! In the Galapagos in May, the waters are warm. Female turtle come up onto the beaches to lay their eggs, and when they hatch you’ll have a nail biting wait to see if the hatchlings successfully make it to the water’s edge.
The rivers and channels of Botswana’s Okavango Delta are at their highest in June. Big game is concentrated on the islands, and you can get between them on boat rides and a slow paced safari in a traditional style mokoro canoe.
The herds of the Great Migration reach the Grummell River in June. Here, you’ll witness terrifying moments as zebra and wildebeest cross the dangerous waters, crocodile and other predators snapping at their heels. You never know who will make it.
Humpback whale are remarkably agile acrobats, twisting, turning, and leaping from the waters. Whale breach to communicate with one another, and they are at their most active in the Galapagos in June.
Sail north to the Arctic, the land of the midnight sun, in the month when the sun barely sets. Polar bear, waterbirds, and marine species are easily spotted in the icy fjords around Svalbard, which has the most picturesque landscapes of any polar cruise.
June is the cool dry season across central and southern Africa, making it the perfect time to track elephant on foot. Led by an expert tracker and guide, you’ll observe the bush in detail, learning about the symbiotic relationships between animals and plants.
You’ve no doubt heard of Bolivia’s salt flats, but what about Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pan? Almost as large, the pan is all that remains of an ancient lake larger than Switzerland. Quad bike across the barren landscape, then sleep out under the stars.
You don’t have to stay on land to take a safari! In fact, some of South Africa’s most spectacular wildlife sightings take place in the waters off the Cape. The whale and dolphin are numerous and exciting; and you’ll also see great white shark.
In June, consider monkeying around with the chimpanzee in Mahale Mountains National Park. It’s one of only two places in Tanzania where you can see them, and the park’s location on the edge of Lake Tanganyika is absolutely stunning.
Mountain gorilla are one of the most endangered primate species on Earth. Thankfully, Rwanda is taking an energetic approach to conservation, and numbers there are on the rise. Track them in Volcanoes National Park in June.
It’s time to sail to the top of the world! Onboard the engineering marvel that is the 50 Years of Victoria polar expedition ship, you can cut through the ice all of the way to the North Pole. There is no more thrilling way to explore the Arctic.
The Amazon Rainforest and the Pantanal wetlands are the two most extraordinary ecosystems in Latin America. Visit them both together in July to see jaguar, ocelot, and an incredible array of birds as you cruise on the rivers, hike, and drive.
A walking safari is about the three Ps: prints, plants, and poo. It’s remarkable how much you can learn from them about the natural world! The walking safari was born in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, which still has the most skilled, entertaining walking guides.
Officially, July is within Costa Rica’s wet season, so very few people visit at this time. The reality is, however, that there is a window of several weeks in July when it’s dry, quiet, and you can see and do whatever you please.
Lemurs are the postcard mental image that we all have of Madagascar – and with good reason! With over 100 species of these bright-eyed, leaping primates, all endemic to this island, they are truly iconic.
Encountering a silverback mountain gorilla in the wild is thrilling, emotional, and a tiny bit scary all in one. Journeysmiths arranges private habituation experiences with the gorilla in Uganda and Rwanda, enabling you to get closer than anyone else.
Traditionally, safari and the Masai Mara were almost synonymous with one another. July is the best time of year to witness the Great Migration in Kenya, and as Journeysmiths knows the most exclusive private reserves, your experience will be second to none.
Namibia’s deserts are not always hot: in fact, in July the country is pleasantly cool! Whether you want to quad bike across the dunes, track desert adapted elephant, or watch colonies of seal along the Skeleton Coast, it’s an excellent time of year.
Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pan is one of the largest salt flats in the world. By day, you can explore its otherworldly landscape by quad bike, then wild camp by night, storytelling around the campfire and gazing up at the sparkling canopy of stars.
The waters off the Cape are rich in marine life, and in whale and great white shark in particular. In July, you can often see the pods of whales from the cliffs, and if you sail out into the ocean they will swim alongside you, granting you a closer view.
Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park is the only place on Earth where chimpanzee and lion co-exist. There are no roads within the park, so the best way to see the chimps is to track them on foot through their forested realm.
The polar bear rules the ice. There is no other predator so powerful, so intimidating, or so enthralling to watch. This July, head north into the Arctic Circle, sailing from Svalbard to see the polar bear hunting, playing, swimming, and raising their cubs on the ice.
There is no higher navigable lake than Lake Titicaca on the border of Bolivia and Peru. Sail between the floating man made islands, visit ancient ruins, watch Andean coot and other water birds, or simply sit back on the deck and admire the mountain views.
If you want to instil wonder in the world around us in your children, take them to the Galapagos. Every giant tortoise, iguana, gull, and whale tells part of the story of our shared evolutionary jigsaw, and inspires the next generation’s commitment to conservation.
The Atacama is the driest true desert outside the poles, but in spite of its arid conditions, there are lizard, flamingo, and even penguin! Combine these natural curiosities with the man made wonders of Peru’s Sacred Valley, following the Inca Trail.
South Africa is sublime in August. Plan a family adventure during the school holidays and you can spot the Big Five in malaria-free wildlife reserves, learn about the Anglo-Zulu wars in KwaZulu Natal’s battlefields, and finish off with some R&R in the Cape Winelands.
Meet the meerkat of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pan when you stay at Jack’s Camp. The meerkat thrive in the desert like environment, and are incredibly curious whenever anyone comes to visit. Prepare to be used as a climbing frame!
Machu Picchu and the fortresses, temples, and observatories of the Inca Empire form the centrepiece of a fascinating holiday to Peru in the long dry season. Talk to us about combining them with the natural wonders of the Amazon or Galapagos.
Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park is on the edge of Lake Tanganyika. It’s the only place where chimp and lion co-exist, and one of just two places in Tanzania where you can see wild chimpanzee flourishing in their natural environment.
In August the Great Migration has moved on to the Mara River, which straddles Kenya and Tanzania. The animals on the move number in the millions, and include not only wildebeest and zebra but Thompson’s gazelle, topi, and eland as well.
Who says a safari has to be on land? In South Africa in August, some of the best wildlife sightings are off the Cape. The whale are calving at this time of year, and on a boat trip you will also see great white shark, dolphin, and more.
Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. The guides he trained are still inspiring visitors with their knowledge, and Journeysmiths considers them to be amongst the very best in Africa.
Namibia is at its most comfortable weather wise during the southern hemisphere’s winter. Plan family expedition out in the desert, hiking and quad biking by day, then camping beneath the most incredible clear sky each night. An adventure like this takes some beating.
Lemurs are the postcard mental image that we all have of Madagascar – and with good reason! With over 100 species of these bright-eyed, leaping primates, all endemic to this island, they are truly iconic.
The archipelago of Svalbard lies between Norway and the North Pole. In the summer months, the sun barely sets, there are stunning opportunities for birding, and you stand a good chance of spotting polar bear out hunting on the ice.
In August, why not head to Latin America? The Amazon and the Pantanal both offer some extraordinary wildlife sightings, especially if you want to see big cats. The near threatened jaguar is the most impressive, and it is a keystone species in its ecosystem.
September is a phenomenal time to visit Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park. The great migration has reached the Mara River, and predators including lion, leopard, and hyena are in active pursuit of the millions of plains game.
In September as the dry season reaches a climax, great herds of elephant, cats, and buffalo gather at the Zambezi, creating an awesome wildlife spectacle in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. See it all by open vehicle, boat, or even whilst paddling a canoe.
Namibia’s wild Skeleton Coast is somewhere mankind has no right to be. It’s a world of shipwrecks, desert elephant, vast seal colonies, and, away from the pounding breakers, a haunting landscape of pastel dunes and tiny oases.
Botswana has more elephant than anywhere else in Africa. Seeing the herds in Linyanti and Chobe is an unforgettable experience, and they’ll beguile you for hours with their playful antics and endearing commitment to their family groups and herds.
Sand dunes? Check. Campfire? Check. Crystal clear night sky? Check. In September the happiest of campers will be in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pan, a vast salt flat populated by desert adapted wildebeest, zebra, ostrich, and chestnut banded plover.
Did you know that there are two sites in Tanzania where you can track chimpanzee in the wild? Choose between the Mahale Mountains by Lake Tanganyika, and the Gombe Stream National Park. This is where Jane Goodall has done some of her most important work.
Journeysmiths love walking safaris because the slow pace of travel allows you to take everything in, observing the smallest details of the bush. In September, both Zambia and southern Tanzania are ideal destinations for walking.
Lemurs are the postcard mental image that we all have of Madagascar – and with good reason! With over 100 species of these bright-eyed, leaping primates, all endemic to this island, they are truly iconic.
Southern right whale migrate annually to the waters off Cape Town, and there are humpback and Bryde’s whale here, too. False Bay is fabulous for whale watching, and the WWF rates Hermanus as one of the best whale spotting sites in the world.
Escape to the magical mountain kingdom of Bhutan. The autumn weather is perfect for a multi day trek. Journeysmiths will arrange a mobile camp and guides, and the only people you’ll meet along the way will be local villagers and yak herders.
Surround yourself with the vast elephant herds of Chobe and Linyanti in Botswana. Elephant sightings are pretty much guaranteed on every game drive, but to really get to know these incredible creatures, we suggest staying with the habituated group at Abu Camp.
Bask in the sunshine, stroll along the beach, and take a dip in the azure blue sea. There can be no better way to end an exhilarating African safari than with a few days chilling out on an island in the Indian Ocean, luxuriating in the warmth and opulent surroundings.
Argentina is famed for its cowboys, its polo, and its beef. Ride across some of the stunning, varied landscapes, and learn about the gaucho way of life, when you stay on an historic, family owned estancia, a private house on a farm.
October is your chance to reel in an African tigerfish in the Zambezi River. It’s a predatory freshwater fish which grows up to a metre in length and will even catch birds in flight! Journeysmiths’ partner properties encourage catch and release.
The vast salt pans of Botswana stretch as far as the eye can see. Traversing Makgadikgadi by quad bike you can appreciate the geology, and even in the dry season it’s likely you will see ostrich, Kittlitz’s plover, and other desert adapted birds.
There’s hardly a bad time to visit the Cape, and October is as beautiful a month as any. The marine life - dolphin, great white shark, and several species of whale - is a permanent draw, and you’ll spot these magnificent creatures from the cliffs as well as by boat.
When the weather’s dry, the animals and birds are forced out of the deep bush and come to the rivers and water holes to drink. Out in the open, without long grass and trees to camouflage them, you’ll get the best, closest sightings of the year.
Primatologists have been studying the chimps of Mahale for decades, and several of the family groups have been habituated by researchers. Journeysmiths invites you to join them in the forest, to sit a while entranced as they eat, play, and groom one another.
Journeysmiths love walking safaris because the slow pace of travel allows you to take everything in, observing the smallest details of the bush. In September, both Zambia and southern Tanzania are ideal destinations for walking.
If you are sailing all the way to Antarctica, you want to see the world’s wildest continent from every angle. Fly above the pole, kayak through the ice floes, and hike or snowshoe across the ice or along the beach.
The polar bear corridor leads to Canada’s Hudson Bay. When the annual polar bear migration begins in the autumn, this is the very best place to see them, and Journeysmiths partners with lodges with uninterrupted views of the bears out hunting.
Did you know that an Indian summer can continue all the way into November? Well, it certainly can if you’re in India! Why not delay the onset of winter a little longer and book a beach stay in Goa where the sun is guaranteed to be shining?
The Serengeti and Masai Mara are the most popular safari destinations in East Africa, but Journeysmiths knows how to get you the most exclusive experience in this game rich region. We have access to the best private reserves and the finest lodges and camps.
Head to the wild, wild west: Zambia’s Liuwa Plain. There’s just one permanent camp in this stunning, remote national park, so you’ll have front row seats not only on the thousands of migrating wildebeest but also on the big cats running in hot pursuit.
Christ the Redeemer watches over everyone in Rio de Janeiro. It’s a city buzzing with life. From the golden, sun drenched beaches to the Amazon wildlife and crashing waters of Iguazu Falls, let us talk you into a November escape to brilliant Brazil.
Don’t try to start counting the elephant in Botswana. The next generation will have been born before you get to the end. There are more elephant here than anywhere else in Africa, and the success of Botswana’s anti poaching programmes is inspiring.
Leave the rain and cold behind at home, and let Journeysmiths transport you to the Cape, where in December the sun always shines. Start with a city break in Cape Town, take a drive along the Garden Route, and finish with a gastro tour of the Cape Winelands.
If you want to get away from it all for Christmas, you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere remoter than Patagonia. Straddling the southernmost parts of Argentina and Chile, this wilderness has uncountable hiking trails and epic landscapes.
In December, the Great Migration returns to the southern Serengeti. Choose a mobile camp such as the Serengeti Safari Camp and you will move with the herds, always waking up in the optimum location for wildlife spotting.
Sail away with your family on an expedition cruise to the Antarctic aboard the specially equipped Akademik Sergey Vavilov. You will spend the Christmas holidays in the company of penguin on what is truly the trip of a lifetime.
Botswana is the most exclusive safari destination in Africa, and usually that means that it has a price tag to match. The green season - low season - is surprisingly affordable, however, and you might well get one of the extraordinary camps to yourself.
Exotic India draws us in with its rich history, sacred sites, and mouthwatering cuisine. Discover the subcontinent for yourself in December, tracking tiger in Bandhavgarh, staying in a maharaja’s palace, or gazing at the peerless architecture of the Taj Mahal.
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