March is one of East Africa’s hidden gems for safari enthusiasts, offering an enchanting blend of fewer crowds, lush green landscapes, and extraordinary wildlife activity. As the continent transitions from the dry season into the green season, travellers are rewarded with dramatic skies, lush backdrops, and some of nature’s most spectacular displays – including the tail-end of the Wildebeest Migration’s calving season and heightened predator activity.
At Asilia, we understand that timing is everything when it comes to crafting the perfect safari experience. March presents unique opportunities for travellers seeking authentic encounters with wildlife while enjoying the benefits of shoulder season travel. Whether you’re planning a spring break adventure, a romantic honeymoon, or simply want to experience East Africa at its most photogenic, March offers compelling reasons to embark on your safari journey.
Why Go on Safari in March?
March strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and authenticity, making it an ideal time for travellers to experience East Africa’s wonders. The shoulder season brings numerous advantages that enhance your safari experience while providing exceptional value.
Great Value: March falls outside peak tourist season, meaning you’ll often find better rates on accommodations and flights. This allows you to experience luxury safari camps and lodges at more accessible prices, maximising your budget for longer stays or additional experiences.
Fewer Tourists: With schools still in session and peak season behind us, March offers a more intimate safari experience. You’ll encounter fewer vehicles at wildlife sightings, enjoy quieter camps, and have more personalised attention from guides and staff.
Exceptional Photography: The green season transforms the landscape into a photographer’s paradise. Lush vegetation provides stunning backdrops for wildlife photography, while dramatic cloud formations and golden light create great conditions for capturing Africa’s beauty. This is an ideal time for an African photo safari, with emerald landscapes offering a striking contrast to the region’s incredible wildlife.
Unique Wildlife Behaviour: March coincides with birthing season across East Africa, creating extraordinary opportunities to witness new life and the thrilling predator-prey dynamics that follow. The abundance of young animals attracts increased predator activity, providing thrilling game viewing experiences.
March is particularly appealing for families planning spring break travel or couples seeking a romantic getaway without the crowds and premium pricing of peak season. The weather remains warm and pleasant, making it comfortable for travellers of all ages.
What to Expect on Safari in March in East Africa
March safaris in East Africa offer a distinct experience characterised by:
- Weather: Warm temperatures with occasional afternoon showers that refresh the landscape and create spectacular photographic opportunities with dramatic skies and rainbow formations.
- Wildlife: The tail end of birthing season means abundant young animals, which in turn attract high predator activity and exceptional game viewing opportunities.
- Crowd levels: Low to moderate tourist numbers ensure a more exclusive and peaceful safari experience with better wildlife viewing conditions.
- Photography: The green season provides incredible photographic opportunities with lush backdrops, dramatic cloud formations, and excellent wildlife activity.
Best safari Destination in March
Southern Serengeti, Tanzania
The Southern Serengeti in March represents one of East Africa’s most spectacular wildlife theatres. As the tail-end of calving season continues, thousands of wildebeest calves dot the plains, creating an irresistible magnet for predators. This concentration of vulnerable young animals triggers intense predator activity, making it an exceptional time for spotting big cats.
Lions, cheetahs, and leopards are particularly active during this period, taking advantage of the abundant prey. The Great Migration herds remain in the southern plains, providing opportunities to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles against the backdrop of green grasslands and acacia woodlands.
The Southern Serengeti’s open plains offer excellent visibility for game viewing and photography, while the presence of the migration herds ensures constant wildlife activity. This is an ideal time to experience the raw drama of Africa’s wildlife in one of the continent’s most iconic destinations.
Discover Olakira Migration Camp, perfectly positioned to take advantage of the Southern Serengeti’s March wildlife concentrations.
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Early March in Ruaha National Park offers an exceptional safari experience for more intrepid travellers seeking authentic wilderness encounters. The park remains lush throughout the green season, but with fewer insects and consistently warm weather, it creates ideal conditions for extended game viewing.
Ruaha’s massive elephant herds are particularly impressive during this time, as the abundant water sources and green vegetation attract large concentrations of these magnificent creatures. The park’s diverse ecosystem supports exceptional predator populations, including some of East Africa’s largest lion prides, making for thrilling wildlife encounters.
The park’s remote location and challenging accessibility mean fewer visitors, ensuring an exclusive safari experience. March’s pleasant weather conditions make it perfect for exploring Ruaha’s diverse landscapes, from riverine forests to open savannas and rocky outcrops. In the second half of the month the rains usually arrive, prompting most camps to close by the middle of the month to avoid the unpleasant conditions.
Experience Ruaha’s wilderness at Jabali Ridge and Private House, both of which offer exceptional access to the park’s wildlife and stunning landscapes.
Masai Mara & Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya
March transforms the Greater Masai Mara into a verdant paradise, with rolling green hills and abundant wildlife creating picture-perfect safari conditions. The conservancy’s resident wildlife thrives during this period, with numerous baby animals born into the lush environment.
The reduced number of safari vehicles during March ensures more peaceful and intimate wildlife encounters. The Mara’s famous predators – lions, leopards, and cheetahs – are highly active, taking advantage of the abundant prey species and their vulnerable young. This creates exceptional opportunities for witnessing predator-prey interactions in their natural habitat.
The Mara Naboisho Conservancy offers particular advantages in March, with its exclusive access and lower visitor numbers ensuring exceptional game-viewing conditions. The conservancy’s commitment to sustainable tourism means your visit directly supports local communities and conservation efforts.
Encounter Mara offers the ideal base for exploring the Mara’s March wildlife spectacle while supporting local community conservation initiatives.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
March marks the beginning of the shoulder season in Uganda, making it an ideal time for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking adventures. The early March period offers particular advantages, with reduced rainfall creating more comfortable trekking conditions while maintaining the forest’s lush beauty.
Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking: March provides excellent availability for gorilla permits and fewer crowds on the trails. The mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga are active and easily located, while Kibale Forest offers exceptional chimpanzee tracking opportunities alongside encounters with other primate species.
Early March Advantage: The reduced rainfall at the beginning of the month creates more comfortable hiking conditions, with clearer trails and better visibility for wildlife photography. The forest remains beautifully green and lush, while offering more predictable weather patterns.
Lush Forest Encounters: March’s conditions are perfect for exploring Uganda’s diverse forest ecosystems. The abundant vegetation supports incredible biodiversity, from colourful butterflies to endemic bird species, creating a naturalist’s paradise.
Birding & Photography: The lush green landscape and abundant wildlife make March an exceptional time for birders and photographers. The forest’s primate populations are particularly active, providing numerous opportunities for behavioural photography and observation.
Learn more about optimal timing in our guide to the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, and experience this magical destination at Erebero Hills.
How Asilia Plans Your Safari for March
We understand that every traveller’s safari dreams are unique, especially when planning for March’s distinctive opportunities. Our approach to crafting your March safari experience combines decades of expertise with intimate knowledge of seasonal wildlife patterns and regional variations.
Custom Itinerary Planning: Our expert safari planners work closely with you to understand your specific interests, whether you’re drawn to the dramatic predator action of the Serengeti’s calving season, the intimate encounters of Uganda’s forests, or the photographic opportunities of the green season. We tailor every aspect of your itinerary to maximise March’s unique advantages while ensuring seamless logistics and memorable experiences.
Advice on Regions Based on Your Interests: March offers diverse opportunities across East Africa, and our regional specialists help you choose the perfect destinations based on your priorities. Photography enthusiasts benefit from our insights into the best lighting conditions and wildlife behaviour patterns. Families receive guidance on child-friendly camps and activities, while couples seeking romance discover secluded camps with exceptional service and intimate settings.
Sustainable Camps with Exceptional Guiding: All our camps are strategically located to take advantage of March’s wildlife concentrations while maintaining our commitment to conservation and community development. Our experienced guides possess intimate knowledge of local wildlife patterns and seasonal variations, ensuring you don’t miss any of March’s special moments while contributing to conservation efforts and local communities.
Ready to Plan Your March Safari Adventure?
Contact us to get started on planning your March safari adventure and discover why this hidden gem of a month might just be the perfect time for your African journey.
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