Tanzania Safari in November

November is the month that regular safari travellers recommend with a knowing smile — the one they do not post about on social media, the one they keep between themselves and their fellow Africa enthusiasts. The short rainy season has begun, the landscape has transformed from the parched gold of the dry season into a vivid emerald green, wildflowers are appearing on the plains, and the wildebeest herds are moving south from the Masai Mara back into the Serengeti. There are almost no other vehicles in the parks. The prices are at their lowest of the year. And the photography — when the afternoon storms are not interrupting — is extraordinary.

The short rains in November are not what their name might suggest. They are afternoon thunderstorms — often dramatic, with spectacular lightning and the occasional heavy downpour — but they are typically short-lived, leaving the evenings and mornings clear and fresh. The morning game drives are often completely dry, and the light through the post-storm clouds is some of the most beautiful you will experience on safari. The green transformation of the landscape within a few weeks of the rains beginning is remarkable: the bare, parched plains of October become a vivid green within weeks.

Wildebeest Herds Returning South

November marks the period when the wildebeest herds begin their southward movement from the Masai Mara back into the northern and central Serengeti. The short rains have fallen on the southern plains, fresh grass is beginning to grow, and the herds are responding to both the grazing opportunities and the photoperiod changes that trigger the annual cycle. Your guide will be tracking the leading edge of this movement — the herds often move in large, loose columns, and finding them on the move is one of the great safari experiences that is simply impossible in the dry season when they are concentrated at water sources.

The predator activity in November is notable. Lions and hyena follow the herds, taking advantage of animals that are weakened by the long dry season and the migration journey. Cheetah are often seen on the open plains in the central Serengeti at this time. The combination of green landscape, moving herds, and active predators makes November one of the best months for predator photography.

Ngorongoro Crater — The November Secret

November is, in our view, the single best month for a Ngorongoro Crater visit. The short rains have turned the crater floor a vivid green, the wildlife is still concentrated by the permanent soda lake and the remaining waterholes, and vehicle numbers are at their lowest of the year. You can descend into the crater and find yourself with two or three other vehicles at a wildlife sighting that would have twenty vehicles in August. The photography is exceptional — the green crater floor against the dramatic cloud formations of the short rainy season creates images unlike anything from the dry season.

The short rains also mean that the access road to the crater rim, which can be slippery after heavy rain, is generally manageable with a four-wheel drive vehicle and an experienced driver. Your guide will monitor conditions and time your ascent and descent accordingly.

Our Recommendation

November suits the traveller who prioritises beauty, solitude, and value over guaranteed peak-season concentrations. If you have ever dreamed of an African safari with almost no other vehicles, a vivid green landscape, dramatic skies, and the chance to photograph wildlife in one of the most beautiful times of year — November is your month. The short rains are manageable, the morning game drives are dry, and the transformation of the landscape from gold to green is one of the most remarkable things you will ever witness. November is our top recommendation for photographers, for first-time safari-goers who want the most beautiful experience, and for repeat visitors who have done the dry season and want something different.