Christmas Safari in Africa

SWAP SHOPPING MALLS FOR SAFARI SIGHTINGS

We’re often asked whether Christmas can be spent on safari. The answer is yes – and it can be one of the most rewarding times of the year. Instead of snow and shopping malls, the season here is marked by dramatic skies, fresh landscapes, and the sounds of the wild all around you.

The Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: A festive journey

December in the Serengeti is part of the green season – a time of short afternoon showers that freshen the air and turn the plains brilliant. Wildlife is in excellent condition, predators are active, and migratory birds arrive in their thousands. For photographers, it’s a dream: clear light, rich colours, and fewer vehicles than in the peak months, so sightings feel more personal and unhurried.

We’ve always thought of this season as Africa’s own way of celebrating. Storms sweep across the horizon like fireworks, elephants wallow in newly filled waterholes, and the bush hums with energy. In camp, the sense of occasion continues – chefs prepare festive meals, and dinner is shared under the stars. 

Early January storm building on the horizon, by Sarah and Ken

For those wanting to mark the day in style, a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the Serengeti followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush is hard to beat.

Serengeti sunrise balloon safari

A week-long festive journey often combines the Serengeti with the Ngorongoro Crater.  We’ve always found this contrast striking – the endless Serengeti plains giving way to nature’s amphitheatre. Lions stretch out in the long grass, elephants with enormous tusks graze by the marsh, and flamingos gather on the soda lake. To descend 600m (2000ft) into the crater on Christmas morning feels almost theatrical – as though nature itself has set the stage. There’s also the added bonus of some camps offering a 20% discount for green season bookings made in under 60 days of your arrival.

“The Boys” in the Ngorongoro Crater, by Compass Odyssey’s Darren Humphrys

Christmas in Botswana: A stress-free holiday

If Tanzania is Africa’s grand theatre, then Botswana’s Okavango Delta offers a quieter, more intimate stage – a different but equally special way to spend the festive season.

For many, the choice comes down to simplicity. No frantic supermarket runs, no queues, no crowded kitchens. Everything is taken care of, so you can simply enjoy time together.

December also brings practical advantages: better availability than the peak months, and often more favourable rates. Some camps, such as Nokanyana in the Delta, even offer a Stay 4/Pay 3 option between November and March.

Tented suites at Nokanyana Camp, Okavango Delta

The Delta’s waterways and floodplains create a serene backdrop for festive days, while wildlife thrives in its channels and lagoons. Evenings are relaxed and unhurried, with the night sounds of frogs and birdcalls carrying across the water.

Woodland kingfisher in the Okavango Delta during December, by Ray

Top: Black-backed jackal in the Okavango Delta, by Ray
Bottom left: Wild dogs in Chobe during February, by Frederic and Julie
Bottom right: Lionesses in the Okavango Delta during December, by Erik and Barbie

Other festive possibilities

Of course, there are many other ways to spend Christmas in Africa – from South Africa’s coastal reserves to Kenya’s Mara and beaches – and we’re always happy to guide you towards what best suits your interests.

Why Christmas safaris feel different

On safari, Christmas settles into its own rhythm. Days begin with early drives across the plains, meals appear without effort, afternoons drift by in camp, and evenings draw everyone to the fire. The season’s essence – time together, good food, and moments that spark wonder – is all here, only shaped by the bush instead of the bustle.

Africa may not bring snow, but it has its own kind of celebration. Rain clears the air and sharpens the horizon, birds arrive from across the globe, and the sky shifts constantly – storm clouds building in the afternoon, stars scattered bright at night. Christmas here is marked not by noise or hurry, but by space, light, and the rhythm of the wild.