Our Pick of the Best Holiday Destinations in June
Countries to visit in June: Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Madagascar
Winter in the southern hemisphere is an ideal time to visit Southern and Eastern African countries on safari. June is the start of the long dry season when the chance of rainfall is unlikely, the days are sunny and warm, and the temperatures much cooler than the hot summer months. A lovely time to go on safari, it’s the best season for wildlife viewing: the vegetation thins out so it’s easier to spot animals and wildlife gathers around water sources.
Tanzania
Famous for its wilderness and safaris, Tanzania is also well known for its remarkable annual great wildebeest migration. In June, the main part of the migration herd is in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park where thousands of wildebeest, zebra and other antelope are making the arduous crossing of the crocodile-infested Grumeti River on the way to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Seeing the river crossings is one of the highlights of this epic migration.
The Ngorongoro Crater is another great safari destination at this time of year with its abundant and diverse wildlife, most of which spends its entire life in the massive 260 square km, 600 m deep caldera – a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site. Here you can see Africa’s big five animals; elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards as well as a wealth of other wildlife and diverse bird species.
Many of Tanzania’s other premier parks, such as Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park and Selous Game Reserve (renamed Nyerere National Park), all offer exceptional game viewing and diverse landscapes at this time of year.
Recommended Safaris:
- 7-Day Serengeti Great Migration Safari
- 3-Day Top Notch Tanzania Safari
- Photographic Safari Migration Crossing | 13 Days
South Africa
June marks the beginning of the peak game-viewing season in the northern reserves of South Africa, as the vegetation starts drying out making it is easier to spot the wildlife. It is an excellent time to visit Kruger National Park while a visit to Madikwe Game Reserve could result in a rare sighting of endangered African wild dogs.
In contrast to the northern regions, the Cape region experiences the heaviest rainfall during this month. Despite the wet weather, the southern Cape is worth a visit to see pods of southern right and humpback whales who have moved on from their feeding grounds in Antarctica to calve and rear their young along South Africa’s south coast, from Cape Town to Mossel Bay.
Recommended Safaris:
- Guided Big 5 Kruger National Park
- Cape Town Whales & Garden Route
- 4-Day Kruger Park Fly and Drive Safari
Botswana
In Botswana’s breathtaking Okavango Delta, water levels swell from April to July as the floodwater arrives from Angola. June is a wonderful time to visit with water levels ideal for exploring the beautiful delta waterways by mokoro – gliding through the channels encounter elephants, hippos, countless birds and numerous antelope that hve come to drink. Stop off on an island for a bush walk and learn more about this fascinating ecosystem. The Okavango Delta can be combined with other Botswana parks such as Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, and Linyanti Wildlife Reserve.
Recommended Safaris:
Uganda
June is one of the best months to visit Uganda, with average daytime temperatures of around 27°C and little rain. It’s the ideal time for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Uganda’s oldest rainforests and home to around half the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas. Game viewing in some of Uganda’s other national parks is also ideal at this time of year, such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park and Kibale Forest National Park.
Recommended Safaris:
3-Day Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
7 Days Gorillas and Wildlife
5-Day Wildlife & Primate Safari
Rwanda
The long dry season begins in June, after a few months of heavy rains. It may be hot and humid in June, but the drier conditions means it’s the best time of year to join a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park due to easier hiking conditions. The park is accessible being only a two-hour drive from Kigali, the capital city. In Akagera National Park and Nynugwe National Park there are diverse landscapes, rich wildlife and numerous bird species.
Recommended Safaris:
Rwanda Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
3-Day Unforgettable Gorilla Safari and Twin Lakes
2 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s cool dry winter season begins in June and with the arrival of the dry season the vegetation dries up making it easier for visitors to spot the wildlife. It can be chilly in the mornings and evenings. Zimbabwe’s best known safari destinations are Hwange National Park, home to the big five and over 400 bird species, and Mana Pools National Park, on the beautiful Zambezi River offer game viewing by canoe, vehicle and on foot. The Victoria Falls are still powerful in June and look spectacular but with less spray.
Recommended Safaris:
- Affordable Victoria Falls & Hwange Experience
- 13-Day Best of Zimbabwe Safari
- 8-Day Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools National Parks Safari
Zambia
Zambia is known as the birthplace of walking safaris and June is the beginning of the walking safari season. There are still the remnants of lush vegetation as the first month of the dry season kicks in, with wildlife viewing opportunities increasing due to the thinning bush. The Lower Zambezi National Park and South Luangwa National Park are other fine safari destinations with superb remote bush camps and excellent guiding. Head to the town of Livingstone in June for a breathtaking sight of nearby Victoria Falls, which straddles Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Recommended Safaris:
- 2-Day South Luangwa National Park Safari
- 4 Days Breathtaking Safari in Lower Zambezi National Park
- Vic Falls to Chobe National Park Day Trip
Madagascar
Madagascar experiences pleasant weather in June, with balmy days, cooler nights and little rain, optimal conditions for finding wildlife, hiking and beach stays. Enjoy seeing lemurs, take a boat safari in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, go trekking in the Isalo National Park or head to the island Nosy Boraha, where you can scuba dive and snorkel in the beautiful Indian Ocean. In June a great number of humpback whales find their way towards the warm waters of Madagascar to breed and calve.
Recommended Safaris:
- Wildlife Heritage of Madagascar
- 14-Day Madagascar Highlight Tour
- 6-Day Madagascar Coral & Forest Safari
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