Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Namibia in 2026.
I’m torn between visiting the Fish River Canyon and the Caprivi Strip / Victoria Falls.
I’d also love your advice on the best time to travel for wildlife viewing and pleasant weather.
I haven’t chosen a tour operator yet... since I’m traveling solo, I’d prefer a small-group escorted trip. Has anyone traveled with a local agency and what’s your feedback or advice?
Thanks so much!
I haven't chosen a tour operator yet either... since I'm traveling alone, I'd like to do a small-group escorted trip. Has anyone traveled with a national agency, and what's your opinion or advice?
Thanks everyone.
These are also two trustworthy companies whose websites you can visit.
For your info, during a safari trip in Botswana, the last 3 days were spent in Victoria Falls (in October, if I remember correctly). We saw the Victoria Falls with very little water flow. Mostly, I remember a country where extreme poverty reigned (and likely still does) due to the dictator at the time. It left a deep impression on us. The only really pleasant memory was a boat ride on the Zambezi at sunset (a classic tourist activity there). That was in 2001.
Allibert, Atalante, Terre d'av, Huwans...
There are plenty of options for traveling in a small group.
I went in June 2023 with one of them.
We slept in tents—the nights were really chilly.
I never travel in a group, so I can’t answer the question about the tour operator.
However, here are some general tips:
- Group size (as few people as possible, max 20)
- Transportation: no bus trips (minibus is okay)
- Stay inside the parks, not outside, especially when visiting Etosha
About the climate:
- For Etosha: dry season, so avoid December to April.
- For crowds: avoid July and August.
- For hiking: not during the hot season, so avoid November to April (peak is December to February).
- For comfortable nighttime temperatures: avoid June–July.
So, around September–October if you want to hike Fish River Canyon and go on safari in Etosha.
For Victoria Falls, the best season isn’t the same. It’s better during or after the rains, but that’s not great for wildlife in Etosha.
Personally, I really like Fish River Canyon and the south.
Victoria Falls is stunning too, but for a safari combo, it’s better to go to South Africa + Victoria Falls (wildlife is more abundant in South Africa year-round).
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
I’d also love to hear your thoughts on the best time to travel to see animals.
Hi,
When it comes to seeing animals, the same rule applies everywhere you go on safari. During the wet or rainy season, animals find water everywhere and are therefore less visible because they’re often far from the tracks where vehicles are allowed. Plus, in grassy regions, animals can be hidden by the tall grass.
During the dry season, animals head to waterholes where water remains. That’s why the dry season gives you the best chance of spotting animals (Sept.–Nov. for Namibia, if I remember correctly).
In the vast Etosha Reserve, water points (natural or artificial) are well-known and even mapped out.
In Namibia, you can also see animals along "dry riverbeds" outside of heavy rain periods—especially the desert elephants, who know where water lies just beneath the sand and dig holes to drink. Other animals then use these holes too.
Correlating animals with the dry season isn’t true everywhere.
You can see animals year-round in Kruger, for example. I’ve been there regularly in both summer and winter, and it was pretty much the same. Personally, I even prefer the wet season because the vegetation is lush, whereas it’s pretty dreary during the southern winter.
In KTP, the best season isn’t during the southern winter.
At Etosha, the roads only cover a small part of the park—the area where the waterholes are during the dry season. Outside of that period, water is available elsewhere, so the animals aren’t necessarily visible.
I’d never seen so few animals in Etosha as I did in April...🤪
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026
Rubrique Jeux Voyages
C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
For an organized trip, I wouldn’t be able to answer—I always go self-drive.
For the timing, Attila summed up the options really well.
Personally, my two favorite periods are from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October.
Mid-April to mid-May: the rainy season is over, and even if the vegetation isn’t as green as in February, it’s still decent. Wildlife starts moving closer to waterholes, and there are plenty of babies or young adolescents around. The animals are also in great shape and active, so you’ll see some amazing scenes. Temperature-wise, it’s ideal—not as hot as the previous months and not yet as cold as June and July. Daylight hours are moderate (longer than in July/August). Plus, there are fewer crowds.
Mid-September to mid-October: the vegetation is very dry, so it looks a bit bleak, but you’ll spot wildlife more easily—it’s actually the best season for animal sightings since they’re near waterholes at the end of the dry season. However, they tend to be more static because food and water are starting to run low.
Temperature-wise: it’s less cold and not yet as hot as in October/November. Daylight hours are moderate.
It’s peak season, though, so expect more visitors.
As for choosing between Fish River Canyon and the Caprivi Strip: I’d go with the Caprivi Strip because the landscapes and wildlife are different from the rest of Namibia. The Caprivi has water, so you’ll find water-based animals like hippos, crocs, plenty of elephants, aquatic antelopes, and more birds.
En projet pour 2006 un séjour de 4 semaines en Namibie.Qui pourrait me conseiller sur la meilleure période? Si vous avez de bonnes adresses pour les billets…
Je prévois un voyage en Namibie de mi-décembre jusqu'au début janvier. Je ne suis pas encore sûr de ma destination. En faisant des recherches, il me semble que…
Hi,
We're leaving on June 19th for an 8-day road trip in South Iceland. I've heard that even in summer, it's cold and the weather can change several times a day. Should we mainly pack winter gear, like a K-Way, fleece, down jacket, beanie, etc.?
For those who’ve experienced it, what’s the weather like in Shanghai at the end of December?
I’ve heard it’s cold, but coming from France, is the winter milder than in Lyon, for example?
I’m tempted to spend the Christmas holidays in Shanghai and the surrounding areas (Nanjing, Suzhou) with my family—kids are 11 and 2. It’d be a bummer if the little one catches a cold over there.
Generally, is this a good time for simple family visits to the main spots, restaurants in the city, indoor heating, and outdoor walks?
Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Mauritius—anyone have advice on when to go? I’m thinking April, May, or June for my stay. Which month would you recommend for the best beach weather, sunbathing, and exploring the island? Thanks!
Hi,
we’re planning to travel through Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) in February and March 2027.
From a seasonal and weather perspective, at that time of year and with hiking as our main activity, is it better to explore Patagonia from south to north or the other way around?
Thanks in advance.
Anne Marie
I’ve planned a three-week itinerary for this summer, from August 9 to 27, in Sri Lanka:
Negombo – 1 night
Sigiriya and the Cultural Triangle – 4 nights
Kandy – 2 nights
Ella – 3 nights
Tangalle – 6 nights
Colombo Airport – 1 night
I know this isn’t the ideal time for the south since the beach conditions aren’t great, but we’ve booked a hotel with a pool and won’t be swimming in the sea. We want to relax after all the travel since we’re bringing our two kids, aged 6 and 8.
I know the east would be better, but (i) I’m struggling to find suitable accommodation, and (ii) it adds a lot of travel time, and my kids can only handle about 3 hours at a stretch.
I looked into Arugam Bay, but it’s a 7-hour trip back to Colombo from there.
I’ve checked every weather site imaginable, but they don’t all agree. Do you think we’ll spend our whole trip in the rain, or is the monsoon in the south mostly limited to the sea, as I’ve read?
I’m worried about ending up in the middle of a natural disaster with my two young kids, given recent events.
hi
After reading quite a few posts and buying a guidebook, I’m still struggling to finalize my suitcase.
Given that we’ll be visiting both islands during our road trip and suitcases aren’t exactly expandable,
I’ve noted that temperatures can be changeable—but should I pack more winter clothes than summer ones?
Thanks for your help
We’ve decided to go to Skopelos for 2 weeks at the end of April. What kind of weather should we expect? Any special things to know about this remote island?
Thanks for your tips
Hi there. On my itinerary from São Luís to Jericoacoara, I’ll be passing through the Lençóis. Is there any point stopping there this time of year? Apparently, the lagoons are dry, but aside from the lagoons, is the surrounding landscape still interesting enough to warrant a 1- or 2-day stop? Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi,
We’ve booked our flight tickets and we’re leaving from October 29th to November 13th for Mauritius.
I just reserved our accommodation in Cap Malheureux.
We’re used to hot and especially very sunny destinations like Oman, Jordan, Uzbekistan...
If you can reassure me about the period—can we expect sunny weather? I’m really dreaming of discovering Le Morne Brabant under beautiful sunshine...
Thanks
Hi everyone,
I need to go to Sri Lanka at the end of January.
I’ve seen that many roads, hotels, and parks were closed after the cyclone, which unfortunately caused a lot of damage.
Does anyone have more information?
Would it be wiser to postpone our trip?
Thanks, Alain.
Hi,
I’m planning a trip to Oman, probably the first half of February to avoid the extreme heat and Ramadan.
But after checking various weather sites and reading accounts, I’m a bit worried about rain, which can apparently be frequent and heavy in February. I’d love to hear from travelers or locals who’ve been there recently.
What would be the ideal month to explore Oman without extreme heat or rain? November?
Also, it’s best to avoid visiting the wadis on weekends—does that mean Saturday and Sunday?
This year, 2026, I can only get away in April and May. I never travel during these months usually, and from what I know, they aren’t the best for India. But in such a big country, there are always spots that are better than others weather-wise.
Which region would you recommend?
Given that I’ve already traveled quite a bit in this country, and in any case, I’ll be discovering places I don’t know yet. No need for a major tourist hotspot or luxury comfort.
Hi everyone,
We’d love to return to India next year for 3 weeks (we visited Rajasthan about fifteen years ago). Unfortunately, we’re tied to traveling in September, and our initial plan was to explore Himachal Pradesh. However, it seems like that might not be the best month for this region.
Could you share your experiences from that time of year in Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, or even the Spiti Valley—in short, anywhere in Himachal Pradesh? Otherwise, which region of India would you recommend for a September trip?
Thanks so much!
Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip from mid-January to the end of February but I just can’t make up my mind 😕
I’ve looked into a few different options: Brazil, Cambodia, and Ecuador. The last one really appeals to me, but what’s making me hesitate is the risk of our trip being a bit too rainy (literally ),
We’re more drawn to the Andes, exploring colonial cities, typical villages, markets, and a bit of the coast. We’ve already gotten a taste of this in Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile. Plus, we’d love to do part of it by car since we’re used to driving at our own pace and stopping whenever we feel like it. Anyway, time’s running out, and I need to decide so I can finalize a route and book the tickets!!
Can anyone help me make up my mind or decide to postpone it for later? But for this year, I don’t have any other time slot to travel. Thanks for reading this far! !
I’ve planned a trip to Asia for the first half of November.
I’ll arrive in Singapore at the start of November for about 3 days, and I’ll leave from Bangkok in mid-November.
In between, I’d like to gradually head north to visit some less touristy islands on the Thai coast.
Since the weather is a big risk during this period, I’d love to hear your recommendations.
I’m looking for: sunshine, snorkeling, beaches, nature / jungle in places that are easily accessible without too much transport to make the most of my trip.
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Chile this coming August and would love to head down to Chiloé. We’ve heard that as we go further south at this time of year, the weather gets pretty rough.
What’s the weather like in Chiloé in late August/early September? What activities can we do? And which ones become really tricky because of the weather?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Marie
So great to be back on this forum after being away for—I don’t even know what!
I’m planning a trip to Malaysia in July with my 5-year-old son. The thing is, I’m not sure which coast to choose. AI keeps telling me east one minute and west the next. Which spot is least affected by rain during this time?
Hey everyone! 🙂
Just giving you the quick context: A group of friends and I are planning a trip to South Korea (Seoul/Busan) at the end of June/July next year. It falls right in the middle of the monsoon season, but we don’t really have other availability options.😕
I’d love to hear from people who’ve visited the country and these cities during this period—basically, is it not as bad as it sounds, or should we just cancel our tickets (we don’t mind the heat, it’s mostly the rain that scares us).
I know there are plenty of indoor activities, but do you think we’ll still manage to get a few sunny days, or will it be torrential rain for our entire 2-week trip?
The only other country we’ve visited during the rainy season is Brazil (in the northeast) around the same time, and honestly, aside from a few really annoying downpours, we had sunshine most of the time and it was awesome. That said, the climate is totally different, so I’m not sure how relevant the comparison is.
Thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read or reply to this post! 🙂
Hi everyone.
Not sure if guidebooks, agencies, and other tour operators are keeping up by changing their visiting hours and offerings.
Personally, I see a promising opportunity here—jumping on this adaptation to extreme climates before others do, since they’re inevitably coming.
From my own travel experience, I’ve met a few guides so far who are starting to adjust, like in Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, and elsewhere.
They avoid crowds and the hottest hours by starting their tours around 6–7 AM, when it’s cooler.
Yeah, you’ve gotta wake up early, but the payoff is so worth it. 😴
If you’ve got any great tips like this, why not discuss them in this thread and share addresses or websites where the people in charge have realized climate change is real and are adapting? 😊
I’m taking a month-long trip to northern Argentina throughout September. Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Salta, Humahuaca, Cafayate, and if time allows, La Rioja. I’m unsure about what clothes to pack. What are the temperatures like in September?
Thanks for your great tips!
Dominerja
hi
It seems that in recent years, January and February in Bohol have seen an increase in rainy periods. Have any of you noticed this?
Thanks in advance for your replies
Hello, We’re heading to Finnish Lapland near Rovaniemi as a family at the end of February with two kids (8 and 14 years old). We’ve got direct flights with Luxairstours. The itinerary is already set, but I’m wondering if anyone has traveled with Luxair before and knows exactly what kind of clothes they provide on the second day? The agency just told me it’s a heavy-duty cold-weather suit. I’m thinking we should get Sorel Caribou boots, maybe second-hand. Here’s what I’ve already planned:
- Thermolactyl leggings and tights from Damart for the whole family as a base layer.
- A first layer of Damart socks + Nordic Stocks socks in 70% merino wool for all four of us.
- Loose fleece layers, including some Polartec.
- Ski pants for hikes.
- For my son and me, a The North Face Himalayan down parka with a hood.
- A ski parka for my husband and my 14-year-old daughter (she *really* wants a Roxy one—I hope it’ll be warm enough).
- For myself, for the flight and the first day at Santa’s village, I’ve packed The North Face winter hiking pants, a long-sleeve merino wool top from Decathlon (thin), a fleece, and my big parka.
I’m wondering if I should just pack fleece joggers or sweatpants for the kids and my husband, at least for the first and last days, to be comfortable on the plane?
I’m also planning to buy balaclavas and neck warmers in addition to our beanies, as well as mittens for all of us. I really need advice because I have no idea—I’ve never been skiing! Also, for a 4-night, 5-day trip, should I pack a second set of base layers, like from Odlo?
Of course, I’ll be leaving cotton clothes out of the suitcase.
As you can tell, I’m someone who gets cold easily—especially my feet, hands, and ears—so that’s my biggest worry. I *don’t* want to be cold, even at -20°C during dog sledding, snowmobiling, or aurora hunting when we might be standing still. We won’t be in the city, and the kids will likely spend most of their time outside, as they usually do.
Hi there!
I’m planning a 10-day trip to Greenland in early August.
Could anyone tell me what kind of weather and temperatures to expect?
I’ve heard there are mosquitoes—is that true?
Thanks!😊
Sunny destinations in October???
Not too much rain.
Martinique, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Cape Verde, or somewhere else?????
Any tips? Thanks for your help
Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Thailand from October 16 to 29, 2025, with my two teens.
We’d love to explore Southern Thailand (for the beaches...).
I’ve read that it’s the end of the rainy season—do you think it’s a bad idea or not?
Also, I’m familiar with traffic in Asian countries—it’s pretty challenging.
Do you think I should go through an agency for a well-defined itinerary?
Or do you have any tips for hotels and getting around?
Looking forward to hearing from you, and thanks in advance! 😊
Mylène