Why winter is the best time for a safari in South Africa

There’s something magical about the bushveld in winter.

There’s something magical about the bushveld in winter. The air feels crisper. The grass turns golden.

The mornings begin with steaming mugs of coffee and blankets draped across your lap as the safari vehicle crunches along dusty roads before sunrise.

It might not sound like the obvious season for a bush escape, but ask almost any experienced ranger or safari regular, and they’ll tell you the same thing: winter is when the bush truly comes alive.

Many South Africans automatically associate safaris with summer holidays and long December breaks.