Best Holidays in January

I recommend you ignore all of this as it is simply untrue, January is a magnificent month to visit Africa and many regions in this part of the world are wearing their seasonal finery with great pride. It can even be argued that January is the best month to visit certain safari or beach destinations in Africa. Wildlife migrations are in full swing and beaches tend to be hot and dry. Since it is the off season, instead of closing, lodges and camps usually offer lower rates and there are less tourists to crowd up your holiday sightseeing.

The month of January offers incredible experiences ranging from gorilla trekking and game viewing to scuba diving and wine tasting, it is clear that you will not be missing out on anything if you decide to visit this majestic continent during this time, the only remaining question is where to go. Here are six destinations who are truly at their best during the month of January.

Uganda

Uganda or officially ‘The Republic of Uganda’ is a landlocked country that is located in East Africa, it is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. Uganda’s official languages are English and Swahili, so language barriers shouldn’t be an issue when visiting this beautiful country.

The month of January lies in the short dry period of Uganda’s seasons, this means it is a perfect time for gorilla trekking and game viewing. The dry ground underfoot makes walking or hiking a lot easier and despite being one of the hottest months of the year, trekking in the Biwindi forest can prove to be quite pleasant since the higher altitude provides a cooler temperature. Since Uganda has a tropical climate it is still possible that you will experience some rainfall, however, this does not affect your game activities and gorilla treks will still be undertaken. Uganda’s equatorial temperatures generally range from 17 – 28⁰C throughout the year, however, temperatures in the mountainous regions and during the evenings may drop to as low as 13⁰C.

Attractions and things to do in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking in Biwindi

Uganda is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, specifically the extremely endangered and majestic silver back gorilla. After a long bushwhacking hike in the Biwindi Impenetrable National Park you will be able to spend some time observing these gorillas in their natural habitat, something that not many people get to experience in their life time. The only drawback is the excursion can get a little pricey, you will first need a gorilla trekking permit, which costs around 600 USD, you will probably want to go with a tour which can range from 1000 USD all the way up to 6000 USD, quite a lot of money, but absolutely worth it if you can manage. Only 8 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family per day, so you will want to book your tour well in advance.

Murchison Falls National Park

This is Uganda’s largest national park of 1,500 square miles, Murchison Falls is located in the north western part of the country, about 200 miles from Kampala. Here, the Nile river gets forced through a small gap (also called the Devil’s Cauldron), creating a magnificent 140-foot tall waterfall. Bisected by the Victoria Nile, you will also be able to go on both land and water safaris where you can see warthogs, buffalo, storks, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and many other animals, as well as the breathtaking Karuma Falls.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda’s second largest, but most popular national park, Queen Elizabeth is located in the western region of Uganda about 250 miles south west of Kampala. Its biodiversity is what makes this park a true site to behold, it features everything from a flat savanna and humid forests to gorgeous lakesand sprawling wetlands, creating a dramatic atmosphere that is fertile for all kinds of flora and fauna. Here you can go on game drive safaris, nature walks or hikes and even gochimpanzee trekking through the forest, you can also take a boat ride through the Kazinga Channel, visit the salt lakes and go hot air ballooning while admiring the impressive sunsets against the green rolling hills.

Whitewater Rafting on the Nile

A trip to Jinja is an absolute must,also known as the adventure capital of East Africa, the rafting here is some of the best in the world but also some of the most frightening. You are able to raft up to Class V rapids at the source of the Nile River, and if you get thrown out during your journey, there are several kayakers are cruising around to help you get back into your boat. The trip there is fairly simple—from Kampala, you can drive about an hour, or take the Uganda Postal Service bus to the Jinja station.

Kibale forest national park

Known to be one of the loveliest and most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda and the primate capital of the world. The park is said to house around 1450 chimpanzees, representing Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. The forest is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the endangered red colobus and the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates found here include the black-and-white colobus, red-tailed and blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboon, bush baby and the potto. Travellers enjoy activities like tracking and birding here.

South Africa

South Africa or officially ‘The Republic of South Africa’ is a country located on the southernmost tip of the African continent, the country is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres of coastlinestretching along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Swaziland, it also surrounds the enclaved country of Lesotho. While South Africa has recognised eleven official languages, English is commonly used in public and commercial life, so there should be no language barriers while traveling around this beautiful country.

South Africa, and especially the Western Cape is a fantastic place to visit during the month of January. You will be greeted by clear blue skies and warm balmy weather making safaris and vineyard explorations both pleasant and exciting. The weather also makes it ideal for beach lovers and water sports. The penguins of Simon’s Town are also a must-see for anyone visiting Cape Town. If you were to travel further North in South Africa, then the usually dry and barren landscape would be replaced by lush vegetation and sparkly water holes.

Attractions and things to do in South Africa

The Kruger National Park

One of the world’s most famous safari parks and one of South Africa’s oldest game reserves, the Kruger National Park is located in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces which isabout a 3.5 to 4.5 hour drive from the city of Johannesburg and offers visitors the chance to see the incredible “Big Five”: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino, as well as an astounding number of other wildlife. This National Park is also home to Bushman rock paintings and other interesting archaeological sites. Visitors can explore the park via a self-drive along its vast network of roads or in an open vehicle safari tour with a qualified guide, accommodation here ranges from basic campsites to five-star luxury lodges.

Cape Town

Nature surrounds this multicultural city, which nestles between a rugged range of mountains and the ocean. For an incredible overview, take a hike up to the peak of the famous flat-topped Table Mountain, or glide to the top on the cableway. For an equally gorgeous view, you can also do the hour long hike up the Lions head mountain to enjoy breath taking panoramic views of the city and sea. On the eastern slopes of Table Mountain lies the magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the most popular attractions in Cape Town include; Cape Point, which is famous for its abundance of wildlife and botanical wonders, False Bay, where penguins can be found waddling along the beach front, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where visitors come to shop, dine, and enjoy the many entertainment venues, including the Two Ocean’s Aquarium and Camp’s Bay which is rimmed by beautiful boulder-flanked beaches and offers chic shops and cafes.

The Drakensburg

Found in the province of KwaZulu Natal, the Drakensburg which means “Dragon Mountains” is one of the most popular holiday spots in South Africa, it is also where the countries highest peaks are found. The region encompasses the World Heritage-listed uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, which is an area of jaw-dropping beauty with jagged basalt buttresses and San rock art, and Royal Natal National Park, home to the awe-inspiring Amphitheatre, a magnificent cliff face and source of South Africa’s main rivers. The area is home to over 800 different species of flowering plants as well as a wide range of wildlife. In the summer, the mountain landscapes are lush and fertile with flowing waterfalls and crystal-clear streams. In the winter, snow caps the dramatic peaks. Adventurous activities in the area include rock climbing, abseiling and parasailing, white river rafting and hot air ballooning over the mountain range.

The Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve

Considered one of the largest canyons on earth and possibly even the largest green canyon, this reserve extends along the Blyde River Canyon’s winding road path, which at every turn offers more and more impressive views over sheer edges dropping 800m into the riverbed. The fresh mountain scenery and panoramic views over the Klein Drakensberg escarpment are quite remarkable and give the area its name of the ‘Panorama Route’. Viewpoints are named for the spectacle they offer, and God’s Window and Wonder View hint at the magnitude of the scenery. Found along this route is the Pinnacle which is a single quartzite column rising out of the deep wooded canyon, there is also the ‘Three Rondavels’ (also called ‘Three Sisters’) they are three huge spirals of dolomite rock rising out of the far wall of the Blyde River canyon. Their domed heads are iced in green and their sides are stained with fiery orange lichen which makes them look like round little houses and earns them their name.

Kalahari Transfrontier Park

A blend of South Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and Botswana’s Gemsbok National Park, the Kalahari Transfrontier Park is one of the largest wilderness areas on the planet. The park was established in the year 2000, it is Africa’s first officially declared transfrontier park and is located in a remote region of South Africa’s Northern Cape.Twisted camel thorn trees, red sands, golden grasslands, and deep blue skies provide an incredible backdrop for photographs and game viewing. Amid the huge diversity of wildlife, this enormous conservation site is home to a number of incredible wildlife such as the black-maned Kalahari lion, stately gemsbok with their V-shaped horns,sprawling nests of sociable weavers, meerkats, and many different birds of prey. Other predators such as leopard, cheetah, and hyenas are also found here. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for some of the minor rugged roads or for those who wish to venture into Botswana.

Tanzania

Tanzania or officially the  United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa that is bordered by Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The official languages of Tanzania are Swahili and English, so language barriers shouldn’t be an issue when visiting this beautiful country.

Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons in a year, January lies in one of the short dry seasons which runs from January to early March, the long dry season is from June to October. January is actually the perfect time to visit Tanzania as the longer dry season is packed with tourist activity and holiday accommodations are at their high season pricing points. The dry season is so popular because the rainy season is extremely wet and difficult to get around in. So, visit in January and you will be able to enjoy a cheaper holiday with all the benefits of being in the dry season without the overwhelming crowds bustling about at every attraction the country has to offer.

Attractions and things to do in Tanzania

Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti is one of the largest and most popular national parks in the country, it is part of the Serengeti ecosystem in the Mara and Simiyu regions and hosts an incredible variety of wildlife. What most people come to see and what makes this park world famous is the migration of thousands upon thousands of white bearded wildebeest and zebra, this migration actually happens throughout the entire year so you will be able to organize a personalized tour of the park, walk in the fields and admire the nature without people interrupting the fun.

Ngorongoro Crater

Adjoining the southeast of the Serengeti National Park lies the extensive Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is the world’s largest inactive, unbroken and unfilled volcanic caldera and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including the “Big 5”. It is also presently one of the most likely areas in Africa to see the highly endangered Black Rhino. Local Maasai people are permitted to bring cattle to graze in the crater but are required to leave at the end of each day.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano in north-eastern Tanzania, near the border of Kenya.  Standing at an impressive 5,892 meters (19,331 feet) above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and the world’s highest free-standing mountain. Even though the mountain is positioned close to the equator, Mount Kilimanjaro is famous for its snow-capped peak looming over the plains of the savannah. The mountain has become a major tourist attraction for mountaineers and trekkers from around the world

Pemba Island

Pemba Island is also known as the Green Island in Arabic, it is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Tanzania and is part of the “Spice Islands”. The island is especially popular for its untouched coral reefs and very abundant marine life, which offers some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in the world.

Mafia Island

Mafia Island is also part of the “Spice Islands” but is much smaller than Pemba with a population of about only 40,000 residents. Don’t worry though, its seemingly sinister name derives not from organised crime but from the Swahili “mahali pa afya,” meaning “a healthy dwelling-place,” or from the Arabic “morfiyeh,” meaning “archipelago”. The island attracts scuba divers, game fishermen, and people wanting to relax on one of the island’s iconic white sandy beaches.

Botswana

Botswana or officially the Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, it is bordered by South Africa to the south and southeast, Namibia to the west and north, and Zimbabwe to the northeast. The official language of Botswana is English, with Setswana being the countries national language, so getting around should be a breeze with no language barriers.

Most people avoid Botswana during January because it is right in the middle of their rainy season and most of the elephant herds on the Chobe River have dispersed with dry-season waterholes laying abandoned. However, further south toward the great Kalahari you will find that the rains have transformed this red thorny scrub into a teeming green paradise with shallow lakes that attract flocks of flamingos, big cats who stalk skittish springbok mothers and their young; and flocks of the most incredible birdlife on the planet. January just like most places in Africa is the low season, so accommodation and activities will be much cheaper than during its peak tourist season which is between July and October.

Attractions and things to do in Botswana

Nxai Pan National Park

An incredible destination for a safari tour, the park is located in north-eastern Botswana which makes it easy to combine your visit with a trip to Chobe and the Okavango Delta, which actually reaches into Nxai Pan. The scenery here is the main attraction, with wonderful sand dunes, towering baobab trees, and of course the salt pans themselves. When flooded in the rainy season, the pans also offer tremendous birding and game-viewing opportunities. Short grasses replace the salt pans and attract vast herds of ungulates—including zebra and wildebeest.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is enormous, covering an area of 14,670 square miles/ 38,000 square kilometers. It consists of salt pans and Kalahari sand dunes that are rich in wildlife during the rainy seasonand covers two previously separate parks: the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and Gemsbok National Park in Botswana. You won’t be able to see the entire big five here, but migrating herds of wildebeest and other antelope do attract large numbers of predators and raptors. The park is not easy to get to, especially from the Botswana side, you will need a 4×4 vehicle and the ability to camp self-sufficiently.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established in 1992 in order to help save Botswana’s endangered rhinos and to re-introduce wildlife to the area so that the local community could benefit from increasing tourism. The rhino sanctuary also hosts and educates nearby school kids on the importance of conservation from the neighbouring communities andthe country’s second-largest city, Francistown. The sanctuary is formed around the Serwe Pan – a large grass-covered depression with several natural forming water holes in the Kalahari Desert. There are basic campsites and chalets that offer accommodation in the sanctuary with safari game drives on offer as the main activity, it is also a wonderful opportunity for a self-drive safari.

Okavango Delta

The Okavango River flows through the centre of the Kalahari Desert, creating a unique inland water system that offers life to anenormous variety of birds and animals. The Okavango Delta offers a very unique safari experience as you can view much of its wildlife from a traditional canoe, or mokoro. There are a number of lodges and luxury safari camps along the river, many of which offer walking safaris and/ or island camping trips.

Tsodilo Hills

Tsodilo Hills is said to be a spiritual outdoor art gallery that showcases more than four thousand ancient San Bushmen rock paintings. A truly awe-inspiring display of early man, there are around four hundred sites that depict hunting scenes, ritual dances and typical safari animals. Some of the rock art has been dated back as long as 20,000 years and archaeologists have determined that people lived in this area as far back as 100,000 years ago. The San Bushmen believed that this was a scared area for when the first man was created, they believe that it is also a special resting place for the spirits of the dead.Unsurprisingly, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site andvisitors can expect to hike three main hills, with the assistance of local guides. There is a basic campsite and a small but informative museum on site.

Kenya

Kenya, or officially the republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa that is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. Kenya recognises English and Swahili as their official languages so it is another African country where language barriers are not a problem while getting around.

January is a wonderful time to visit Kenya as it tends to be a little drier than most months and makes for great wildlife-viewing in the Masai Mara and its conservancies. January heralds the start of the calving season, so if you are lucky you will see many adorable new born baby animals. With mostly light afternoon showers, January is the perfect time for diving and snorkelling off the coast where you will have a higher chance of seeing turtles, rays, snappers and other marine life.

Attractions and things to do in Kenya

Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is one of the world’s most amazing game reserves, it is the northern extension of the Serengeti, bordering Tanzania and forms a wildlife barrier between the two countries. The park is named after the indigenous red-cloaked Maasai people who still live in the park and graze their animals here as they have done for centuries. What makes this park famous is the great migration of thousands of white bearded wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle who travel to and from the Serengeti, the park also has a large number of lions, cheetah, and leopard who wait for the migration and possibly that nights feast. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is also very well known for the Mara River, a river that lies directly across the migration path and is teeming with crocodiles and hippo.

Amboseli National Reserve

One of Kenya’s most popular tourist parks, the Amboseli National Reserve is crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak and gets its name from the Maasai word meaning “salty dust,” an accurate description for the park’s dry conditions. The reserve is one of the best locations for viewing large elephant herds up close and hosts a number of other wildlife including big cats, such as lion and cheetah, as well as giraffe, impala, eland, waterbuck, gazelle, and more than 600 species of birds. There are also five different habitats for nature lovers to explore here, ranging from the dried-up bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulphur springs, savannah, and woodlands.

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo is the largest National Park in Kenya, it is split into two parts, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, together these parks make up four percent of the country’s total land mass. This incredible park is made up of rivers, waterfalls, savannah, volcanic hills, a massive lava-rock plateau, and an impressive diversity of wildlife. Halfway between Nairobi and Mombasa is where you will find Tsavo East, it is most famous for their elephant herds who can be seen rolling and bathing in the red dust of the land. Other popular sites within the eastern park includes the Galana River which provides excellent game viewing and a lush counterpoint to the parched plains, the Yatta Plateau, the world’s longest lava flow; Mudanda Rock; and the Lugard Falls, which tumble into rapids and crocodile-filled pools. Tsavo West has a more varied landscape with far wetter conditions which provide the most beautiful scenery in the northern reaches of the park, the main attractions here are Mzima Springs, a series of natural springs with large populations of hippos and crocodiles; Chaimu Crater, a great spot for seeing birds of prey; and Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary.

Malindi

Located in the north of Mombasa on the Kenyan coast, Malindi is a beach resort that is very popular with European tourists; and thanks to its vast trading history it is also rich in culture and cuisine. Travellers come here to enjoy the white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters of Watamu beach, you can also go deep sea diving or snorkelling around thecoral reefs of the Malindi and Watamu Marine National Park. Here, you can also visit the Jami Mosque; two pillar tombs from the 14th century; and the Church of St. Francis Xavier, one of East Africa’s oldest churches as well as the Vasco De Gama Cross which is one of the oldest standing monuments in Africa.

Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba National Reserves

On the banks of the palm-lined EwasoNyiro River, Samburu, Buffalo Springs, and Shaba Reserves are located in an arid region in the remote north of Kenya. The Shaba National Reserve is one of two areas where George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the lioness, who was made famous in the film Born Free. The wildlife in all three of these reserves depend highly on the waters of the river to survive, with many species being specially adapted to the parched conditions, such as Grevy’s zebras; Somali ostriches; and gerenuks, the long-necked antelope who stand on two rear legs to reach the fresh shoots on upper tree limbs. The main attraction inSamburu National Reserve are the Sarara Singing Wells, these are local watering holes where Samburu warriors used to sing traditional songs while hauling water for their cattle to drink. If you are lucky, you may get to see the big cats and wild dogs that frequent this area.

Malawi

Malawi or officially the Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in South-eastern Africa that is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique surrounding on the east, south and southwest. Although the official language recognised by Malawi is English, most of the local people are unable to speak it, so getting a guide to help translate while traveling the country would be highly beneficial.

In Malawi, the month January is right in the middle of the rainy season and you will experience a number of large impressive thunder storms rolling through the country during this time. Flooding is a possibility and a few lodges do close, however, for bird watchers this is the best time to visit the country as migratory birds from the Northern Hemisphere are evident in all of Malawi’s national parks.

Attractions and things to do in Malawi

Lake Malawi

This lake is arguable the most captivating natural wonder that Malawi has to offer, there are various beautiful fish species like the unique chambo, a tilapia breed that isn’t found anywhere else on earth but in Lake Malawi and a range of bird species such as the famous Thyolo Alethe, which are endemic to this part of the world. The lake covers almost thirty percent of the country, is absolute heaven for nature lovers and is a pillar of pride and sustenance for the people near Lake Malawi. While visiting Lake Malawi you should not miss out on visiting the various islands that dot like lake such as Mumbo, Likoma, and Bird Island.

Liwonde National Park

Liwonde National Park is a bird lovers paradise, it boasts some of the most impressive bird life to be found in the country—you’re very likely to see African fish eagles displaying their skills as well as the rare Pel’s fishing owl here. The park is also a premiere wildlife destination with a lovely setting along the banks of the Shire River, where you can view hippo pods in the water and large herds of elephants on the side enjoying a drink and a splash.

Nyika National Park

Just over 50 years ago, in the north-western part of Malawi—an area of 1,250 square milesknown as the Nyika National Park—was so mysterious to the British (who were in charge at the time), that they sent explorer Laurens van der Post to report on what is was like there. He turned his mission to this enormous escarpment into a best-selling book “Venture to the Interior,” describing the beautiful high rolling hills of grasslands dotted with zebra, antelope, orchids, and butterflies that make Malawi’s largest national park well worth visiting. Hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding are the main activities here.

Mulanje Mountain

Mount Mulanje, is located in southern Malawi 65 kilometers (40 miles) east of Blantyre; its highest peak Sapitwa reaches just above 3,000 meters (nearly 10,000 feet). Hiking this mountain is made easier by the many different routes and trails to choose from and at the end of each route you will find a cute little hut. This is a fantastic hiking place for families, with lots of rivers and peaks to explore. Its advised that you spend at least two nights on the mountain. The Mountain Club of Malawi has excellent route information as well as details on fees and more. If you join the club, you can also use their cooking facilities in the huts.

Likoma Island

Likoma Island is technically in Mozambiquan waters but is still a Malawi territory. The island is home to a huge cathedral that was built in the early 1900s and boasts several lovely beaches with excellent eco-friendly resorts including Kaya Mawa, and some budget accommodation as well like Mango Drift. Likoma is a peaceful island where you can relax and unwind,take some nice walks inland to visit villages, the local market, or even kayak around the island.There is a diving school that offers certification at reasonable rates,dance troupes from other islands gather regularly for an entertaining “dance-off.” Getting to the island can be great fun too as the only way there is via boat, you will have to make a booking with the MV Ilala passenger vessel which stops there every week.

Tips for Traveling to Africa in January

Since January in Africa falls under summer, you will need to make sure to pack plenty of insect repellent as mosquitos will be out in full force during the warm African evenings, it is also recommended that you speak to your doctor about taking antimalaria medication before traveling.

Make sure that your passport is up to date, with at least 6 months left before expiry. You will also need more than 2 blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

If you are traveling to more than one African country or travelling from a high-risk zone you will have to make sure that you have an international yellow fever certificate before applying for your visas.

Lastly consider how you will be carrying your money with you on the road, venturing into remote areas of Africa means that there will be very little signal to operate credit card machines and carrying big wads of cash around can also be dangerous. It recommended that you take out only what you will need for that day and hide the rest in separate bags in clever locations like an empty shampoo bottle.