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Gosheni Safaris

Award-Winning African Safaris Since 2009

Travel by Month

November: The Short Rains

Short Rains · Crowds: Low

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Africa's Leading Tour Operator 2024 · World Travel Awards Winner

22°C

Average Temperature

29°C

Daytime High

146mm

Monthly Rainfall

16

Rain Days

Browse by Month

November brings the short rains, brief, dramatic afternoon showers that repaint the plains green almost overnight. The migration herds continue south through the eastern and central Serengeti, Eurasian migratory birds arrive in their millions, and the light after each storm is extraordinary.

Rates drop to green-season levels and the parks empty out, making this a rewarding month for photographers, birders and travellers who value solitude. Showers rarely disrupt game drives, and the calving grounds of the south are already beginning to fill.

Climate

Weather Across Africa in November

13 destinations shown for November.

Serengeti

22°C
Low 17°High 29°
146 mmRainy

Rain on about 16 days

Ngorongoro

18°C
Low 14°High 23°
100 mmSome rain

Rain on about 16 days

Tarangire

23°C
Low 19°High 29°
159 mmRainy

Rain on about 16 days

Kilimanjaro (Moshi)

23°C
Low 19°High 29°
112 mmSome rain

Rain on about 14 days

Zanzibar

27°C
Low 24°High 30°
166 mmRainy

Rain on about 24 days

Masai Mara

21°C
Low 15°High 28°
134 mmRainy

Rain on about 16 days

Amboseli

22°C
Low 18°High 28°
157 mmRainy

Rain on about 20 days

Volcanoes NP (Rwanda)

9°C
Low 6°High 12°
232 mmVery rainy

Rain on about 28 days

Bwindi (Uganda)

16°C
Low 12°High 20°
232 mmVery rainy

Rain on about 27 days

Kruger (Skukuza)

25°C
Low 19°High 32°
56 mmLow rain

Rain on about 9 days

Okavango (Maun)

29°C
Low 22°High 36°
21 mmLow rain

Rain on about 5 days

Chobe (Kasane)

28°C
Low 22°High 34°
41 mmLow rain

Rain on about 9 days

Cape Town

18°C
Low 14°High 22°
25 mmLow rain

Rain on about 6 days

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com · 5-year daily averages (2019-2023)

Best Time to Go

What November Is Like

Short rains bring lush green landscapes back to East Africa. Excellent birding with migratory species arriving. Shoulder season pricing across most destinations. The migration herds continue south through the Serengeti.

November
Short Rains

Short rains bring lush green landscapes back to East Africa. Excellent birding with migratory species arriving. Shoulder season pricing across most destinations. The migration herds continue south through the Serengeti.

BirdingValue pricingLush landscapes
Wildlife
Crowds
December to March
Green Season

Calving season on the southern Serengeti plains: thousands of wildebeest born daily, dramatic predator action, lush scenery and strong value at the lodges.

Calving seasonPredator actionValue pricing
Wildlife
Crowds
March to May
Long Rains

The quietest, best-value months. Landscapes are at their most dramatic, birding is exceptional, and gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda stays superb.

Best valueBirdingGorilla trekking
Wildlife
Crowds
June to October
Dry Season

Peak safari season. The Great Migration river crossings, wildlife concentrated at water sources, and classic golden-light game viewing across every park.

River crossingsBig FiveClassic safari
Wildlife
Crowds

Why Gosheni

Why Visit in November

01

Birding

Migratory species join the residents for exceptional birdwatching.

02

Value pricing

Green-season rates make top lodges significantly more affordable.

03

Lush landscapes

Short rains repaint the plains in vivid green.

Highlights

Wildlife This Month

Green-season rates

Green-season rates

Prices drop with the first showers while game viewing stays strong.

Migratory birds arrive

Migratory birds arrive

Millions of Eurasian migrants land alongside flamingo-filled soda lakes.

Short rains refresh the plains

Short rains refresh the plains

Afternoon showers repaint the savannah green and clear the air for dramatic light.

Where to Go

Top African Safari Destinations

Whether it's your first safari or your twentieth, our Africa Safari Experts can tailor-make any vacation to make it the trip of a lifetime.

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Money Matters

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Curated Journeys

Safaris for November

Hand-picked journeys that shine this time of year.

6 Days Best Northern Tanzania Safari
From $3,095
6 days
Featured

6 Days Best Northern Tanzania Safari

Serengeti National Park game drives. Ngorongoro Crater descent. Big Five game viewing. Tarangire elephant herds

Tarangire National Park | Arusha | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Serengeti National Park | Lake Manyara National Park
From
$3,095 - $5,200
per person
Request a Quote
5 Days Serengeti Great Migration Safari
From $3,570
5 days
Featured

5 Days Serengeti Great Migration Safari

Great Wildebeest Migration. Mara River crossings. Predator-prey action

Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater | Serengeti National Park | Ngorongoro Conservation Area
From
$3,570
per person
Request a Quote
5 Days Luxury Kruger Safari
From $3,832
5 days
Featured

5 Days Luxury Kruger Safari

Big Five in Sabi Sands. Private game reserve. Luxury bush lodge

Johannesburg | Sabi Sands Game Reserve | Kruger National Park
From
$3,832 - $4,800
per person
Request a Quote
5-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari
From $1,620
5 days
Featured

5-Day Tanzania Low Season Safari

Same camps and guides as the peak season, with far fewer vehicles at the sightings. Low-season rates for November 2026 and May 2027, from US$1,620 per person. A full day of game driving in Tarangire. Two nights in Central Serengeti, with a full day on the Seronera plains. A morning on the Ngorongoro Crater floor, with lunch by the lake. Your own Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, on-board Wi-Fi and a private guide. Starts from your hotel in Arusha, so it fits after a Kilimanjaro climb or a night in town

Arusha | Tarangire National Park | Serengeti National Park | Central Serengeti | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Ngorongoro Crater
From
$1,620 - $2,175
per person
Request a Quote
12-Day Signature Great Migration Calving Photographic Safari
From $6,820
12 days
Featured

12-Day Signature Great Migration Calving Photographic Safari

Four nights on the Ndutu calving plains, not a single overnight stop. A maximum of four photographers per private vehicle, for real access to the windows and pop-up roof. A full day inside Ngorongoro Crater, descending early while the light is still soft. Three nights in Central Serengeti for leopard, lion and cheetah photography. A scheduled Seronera to Arusha flight, so the last day is spent shooting rather than driving. Vehicle refrigerator, charging points and Wi-Fi where network coverage permits

Arusha | Ngorongoro Crater | Ndutu Area | Central Serengeti
From
$6,820 - $10,830
per person
Request a Quote
12-Day Signature Great Migration River Crossing Photographic Safari
From $6,500
12 days
Featured

12-Day Signature Great Migration River Crossing Photographic Safari

Four nights in Northern Serengeti, so the safari never depends on one afternoon at the Mara River. A scheduled flight straight to Kogatende, saving a full day of overland transfer. A maximum of four photographers per private vehicle, for real shooting space. Three nights in Central Serengeti for leopard, lion and cheetah photography. A full day inside Ngorongoro Crater, descending early into soft light. A final Arusha night to back up files and repack equipment before flying home

Arusha | Serengeti National Park | Central Serengeti | Ngorongoro Crater
From
$6,500 - $10,420
per person
Request a Quote
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