Christmas and New Year are a wonderful time for an East African safari: the weather is mostly dry, the wildlife is excellent, and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is in a dry season. In Tanzania the Great Migration herds are gathering on the southern Serengeti's short-grass plains ahead of calving. The catch is demand: this is peak season, with festive supplements, minimum stays and the earliest sell-outs of the year. Book 9–12 months ahead, especially for gorilla permits and small camps, or travel in early December or after about 6 January for better availability and prices.
Why the festive season works so well
- Weather: across most of East Africa the short rains end by early December, and late December to February is a drier, warm period.
- Wildlife: the plains are green, many animals give birth, and predators follow the young.
- School holidays: the long break makes it the easiest time for families and multigenerational groups to travel together.
- The setting: a Christmas dinner under the stars or New Year's Eve around a campfire is hard to beat.
The trade-off is popularity. Expect higher prices, fuller camps and more vehicles at the most famous sightings than in early December or late January.
Where to go: country by country
| Destination | Late December–early January | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania: southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro | Migration herds arriving on the short-grass plains; superb predator action; Ngorongoro excellent but busy | Excellent |
| Tanzania: southern parks (Nyerere, Ruaha) | Hot, with rains possible from mid-December; some camps close in the later rains | Good |
| Kenya: Maasai Mara | The migration has left, but resident big cats are excellent and the plains are green | Very good |
| Kenya: Amboseli, Samburu, Laikipia | Dry, clear views of Kilimanjaro from Amboseli; good game | Very good |
| Uganda: gorillas, chimps and savanna parks | Dry season; excellent trekking; permits in high demand | Excellent |
| Rwanda: Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera | Dry season; excellent trekking | Excellent |
| Zanzibar | Hot, sunny and busy; calm seas on most coasts | Excellent |
| Seychelles | Warm, humid season with occasional heavy showers | Good |
The Great Migration at Christmas
From late November into December, the herds leave the north and move south towards the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area on the edge of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Their exact position each year depends on the rains, but by Christmas large herds are usually on or approaching the southern plains, and calving follows from about late January to March. Mobile camps move south to meet them. For detail, read the Great Migration in December, which compares early December with the Christmas weeks, and the Great Migration in January.
In Kenya, the Mara is quieter of migrating herds at this time but excellent for resident lions, leopards and cheetahs, often with fewer vehicles than in August. See our Maasai Mara guide.
Gorilla trekking over the holidays
December to February is a dry season in Uganda and Rwanda, so trails are easier and trekking conditions are good. That is exactly why permits for the days between Christmas and New Year sell out early. Uganda's gorilla permit is $800 per foreign non-resident and Rwanda's is $1,500; if you want specific dates, secure permits as soon as your flights are fixed. Our guides on the best time to book a gorilla permit and how to book gorilla permits explain the process.
Remember that the minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15. Families with younger children can do chimp tracking in Kibale (minimum age 12) or focus on savanna parks.
Christmas on the beach
A safari followed by a few days on Zanzibar is one of the most popular festive combinations. December and January are hot and sunny with mostly calm seas, and the island is lively over New Year. Beach hotels are at their fullest, so book early. The Seychelles are in their warm, humid season, with beautiful days broken by occasional heavy showers. Compare them in best time for Zanzibar and the Seychelles, and see adding Zanzibar to your safari for routes.
Prices, supplements and minimum stays
The festive weeks are the most expensive of the year in many camps. Expect:
- Peak or festive rates, usually from around 20 December to early January.
- Festive supplements at some properties, sometimes covering a compulsory Christmas or New Year's Eve dinner.
- Minimum stays, often three or more nights over Christmas and New Year.
- Higher international and light-aircraft fares, especially for flights arriving around 20–23 December.
Park fees and gorilla permits do not usually rise for Christmas; it is accommodation and flights that change. For budget ranges, see our East Africa safari cost guide.
How to save: travel from about 1 to 18 December, or after about 6 January, when the weather is very similar and many camps return to standard high-season rates.
When to book
| Item | Book by |
|---|---|
| Gorilla permits for 22 December–2 January | 9–12 months ahead |
| Small camps in the southern Serengeti, Mara conservancies and Bwindi | 9–12 months ahead |
| Family tents and connecting rooms | 12 months ahead (very limited) |
| International flights | As soon as dates are fixed |
| Zanzibar beach hotels for New Year | 9 months ahead |
More detail is in when to book your safari and gorilla permits and how far ahead to book a migration safari.
How camps celebrate Christmas and New Year
Every camp is different, but many mark the days with decorations, a festive dinner, staff choirs singing carols, and sometimes a bush dinner by lantern light. On New Year's Eve expect a special dinner and a toast around the campfire rather than fireworks: most camps keep things calm out of respect for the wildlife. Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania have large Christian populations, so Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays, many shops close, and towns can be quiet as people travel home to their families. If you would like to attend a Christmas service, your guide can usually arrange it.
Festive safaris for families
Christmas is the most popular time for family and multigenerational safaris. Look for camps with family tents, children's programmes and flexible meal times, and consider private vehicles so that younger children can set the pace. Our guides to the best age for a family safari, family-friendly safari camps, Kenya family safaris and multigenerational safaris will help.
Sample festive itineraries
Tanzania migration Christmas (10 nights)
Arrive at Kilimanjaro on about 20 December. 2 nights Tarangire, 2 nights Ngorongoro, 4 nights in a southern Serengeti or Ndutu camp over Christmas, then 2 nights on the central Serengeti before flying out, or add Zanzibar for New Year.
Gorillas and Zanzibar New Year (12 nights)
Kibale (2 nights) for chimps, Queen Elizabeth (2 nights), Bwindi (3 nights) for gorillas over Christmas, then fly to Zanzibar for 5 nights including New Year's Eve.
Kenya family Christmas (9 nights)
Nairobi (1 night, Giraffe Centre), Amboseli (2 nights), Maasai Mara (4 nights in a family-friendly camp), then 2 nights on the coast. Ready-made trips include our Kenya family safari with the coast.
Tips from our team
- Fix your dates early. Most festive disappointments come from waiting too long.
- Arrive a day early. Flights into East Africa around 20–23 December are often full and delays happen.
- Pack light rain gear. Late-season showers are still possible, especially in the south of Tanzania.
- Ask what is included in festive dinners and supplements before you compare prices.
- If your dates are flexible, the week after New Year offers almost identical conditions with much better availability.