December is undoubtedly the best time to explore Africa’s fascinating landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique wildlife. It is the summer season with less rain and more sunny days. Eastern Africa for instance is in its final month of the short rainy season while Southern Africa experience high temperatures and humidity levels, making it the one of the best places to visit in December.
This season features great wildlife migrations because of the sprouting of fresh grasses in the Serengeti and Kalahari Deserts. African safari visitors in December enjoy the great sights of big cats in action.
Also, December is perfect for beach holidays on the amazing African coastline. Therefore, whether you’re planning a beach vacation, a safari, or longing to connect with your roots, here are our recommendations for the best places to visit in Africa in December.
Check out the best places to visit in Africa this year.
Best Places to Visit in Africa in December
It is important to remember that Africa can be busy in December due to the Christmas and New Year festive season. So, to avoid the high prices of the Christmas season, make sure to book ahead of your visit (preferably within the first two weeks in December) – flights, accommodations, and sights.
Now, here are the best places to visit in Africa in December:
1. Best Places to Visit in Africa – Tanzania
Boasting lush landscapes and wildlife, Tanzania is top on most lists of the best places to visit in Africa in December. It is located in the Eastern part of Africa and the ease of obtaining visas for the country makes it a huge tourist attraction.
There are lots of incredibly fun things to do in Tanzania. So, if you’re looking for a beach and safari combination, Tanzania offers the classic African Safari and a beautiful beach experience.
Some of our favorite places in this Eastern country include:
Serengeti National Park
In December, the Wildebeest migration is almost over and begins massing in Southern Serengeti. The view from the Ndutu Plains is spectacular to witness the Wildebeest gathering en-masse. Seeing the birds and zebras flooding the Southern plains is a wonderful experience.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Crater was formed when a large volcano erupted and collapsed on itself two to three million years ago. The Ngorongoro Crater is known to be the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth. It is one of the world’s most iconic wonders hosting about 25,000 animals.
Also, the Crater is gorgeous at this time of the year because of the green vegetation across East Africa. It is one of the easiest places to see and capture the Big 5 game animals (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and African buffalo).
Zanzibar Island
Our third favorite place in Tanzania is Zanzibar Island. Zanzibar Island has some of the best African beaches, affordable lodges, beach resorts, and rich ocean culture and history. These are a few reasons why we love the Island.
You can enjoy fun activities such as snorkeling, diving, or just relaxing on a beach lounger. Because they are in the same country, you can combine a beach break at Zanzibar Island with a safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
2. Best Places to Visit in Africa in December – South Africa
South Africa is one of the best places to visit in Africa in December because it has one of the finest Big 5 game viewing on the continent, numerous opportunities for beach and bush holidays, and infrastructural development for ease of getting around.
The best sites to visit in South Africa in December include:
Cape Town
Cape Town is continually voted as one of the world’s top cities to visit making it one of the best places to visit in Africa in December. The “Mother City” is one of South Africa’s most-loved destinations for tourists due to the presence of lovely beaches, high mountains, and bottle-green wine valleys.
The city boasts of dry and sunny weather with the beaches full of cheerful activities. It is a perfect place to spend your Christmas holidays in Africa. We recommend you rent a private villa to enjoy VIP treats at the best beaches such as exclusive use of swimming pools and parking, housekeeping, and 24/7 security.
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is located further up the coast and offers a sunny subtropical beach experience, in addition to the Big 5 gram reserves, wetland parks, and coral reefs.
KZN is one of the best warm places to visit in South Africa in December for your beach and bush safari experience. For a more relaxing experience, you should rent a car to take you around the beautiful province.
The Garden Route
This is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Africa located in South Africa. The Garden Route runs from a couple of hours outside Cape Town to just a bit after the seaside town of Plettenberg Bay.
It is a fun place for family visits in December and you can enjoy the quaint towns, the sandy beaches, and rocky shores. You can drive around the indigenous forests and just explore the lovely landscapes.
3. Kenya
Although Kenya is best known for its famous safaris, it also has an abundant coastline of over 536 kilometers. Kenya has a wealth of wildlife locations to choose from. Tsavo, Danbury, and Amboseli, all feature the Big 5 game sightings such as lions, elephants, and herds of antelope.
The Masai Mara is doubtless the most popular safari destination in Kenya. Hence, with the combination of safari and coastline, Kenya is one of the best places to visit for a safari and beach holiday.
The Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is a fun place to visit in Kenya. This safari destination is full of wildlife all year round even after the great migration in July and August.
The Masai Mara has hospitable people and varying landscapes that you can explore. Other things we love about the Masai Mara are the hot air balloon ride and the walk with Masai Warriors in the African forests.
The Kenyan Beaches
The Kenyan Beaches have remained obscure over the years. However, from the famous Lamu Archipelago and Mombasa’s beach resorts, planning a beach getaway is worth it.
For beach lovers, get an authentic Swahili experience from the Lamu Archipelago and if you’re looking for aquatic sports like snorkeling, diving, surfing, and kayaking, the Diani or Galu Beaches are your best shots.
The Kikambala or Kilifi Beaches add an extra flavor to your beach holiday with trendy cafes and bars.
Worthy of note is Watamu Beach in the Watamu Marine National Park which boasts of incredible Marine life like whales, sharks, and manta rays which visit the waters in December and January.
With these beach and safari combinations that Kenya provides, you are in for a big treat on your visit in December.
4. Botswana
Botswana is one of the safest places to visit in Africa and also one of the top places with big game safari destinations in Africa. The country houses plenty of wildlife predators. You can see African wild dogs, hyenas, leopards, lions, and other games.
Although there are no beaches in Botswana, you can still enjoy the watery Okavango Delta and boat cruises in Chobe.
However, the Kalahari Desert is a must-experience if you visit Botswana.
The Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari occupies most of Botswana covering an area almost 1.5 times the size of Texas. It provides safari lovers with options for three memorable parks.
- Nxai Pan National Park
- Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Following the rains, December in Botswana is full of green scenery with trees and plants in full bloom. In Kalahari, we see multitudes of newborn animals, migratory birds, and top predators waiting to catch their prey.
We, particularly, fell in love with Nxai Pan National Park for its vibrant landscape and predator action. During December, over 30,000 zebras and wildebeest migrate to Nxai Pan from 500 kilometers away, considered the longest migration in Africa. They come to find green pasture in the plains and this is the birthing season, so new life is abundant. Hence, it is a great time of the year to watch the hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, lions, and other predators in action.
5. Best Places to Visit in Africa – Namibia
Namibia does not get much rain all through the year but when it does, the whole land comes alive with dry leaves becoming green and trickles of water. However, the Namib Desert has an abundance of sunshine and sand. There are numerous places to visit in Namibia and our favorite place is Etosha Pan.
If you love the heat, then Namibia is the best place to visit in Africa in December. You can take a trip to Etosha Pan, experience the Skeleton Coast, or take an adventure to Swakopmund.
Etosha Pan
November to April is the summer wet season in Etosha. A safari in Etosha Pan will enable you to witness the birthing of new animals and sights of migratory birds.
The abundance of water and vegetation makes the elephants and black rhinos more reclusive, making your visit memorable.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is Namibia’s largest town with a combination of old medieval architecture and desert landscapes. It is a popular place for tourists due to its cultural history, desert motorbike tours, and restaurants. All these make Swakopmund an incredible winter vacation.
The Skeleton Coast National Park
Another famous place to visit in Namibia in December is the Skeleton Coast National Park also known as “the Sands of Hell” by early Portuguese sailors. The Skeleton Coast stretches from Sandwich Harbour to the Kunene River having a harsh landscape.
Surprisingly, you get to see desert animals like lions, elephants, and the Cape Cross seal colony. The best way to enjoy the Skeleton Coast National Park is by a 4×4 tour visit or a light aircraft trip over the horizon.
Thinking of Visiting Africa in December?
Our top five destinations to visit in Africa in December are Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, and Namibia. These countries are busy in December as the summer rains have started. But, booking ahead gets you good deals on flights, reservations, and tours.
Africa in December offers you an array of opportunities to view the safari classic Big 5 games and enjoy relaxing moments on the warm beaches. You can also drive around the landscape or take a balloon flight.
