Have you ever thought about doing a flower safari? No? - well read on to find out where and when you can.
Faran's pick of long-haul August holiday destinations, from raw 'Big 5' experiences in Zimbabwe's largest national park to festivals in Sri Lanka and seeking out jaguars in the Pantanal.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Best for an affordable 'Big 5' safari and expert guiding
Take your pick of safari destinations across southern and eastern Africa in August. Generally conditions are perfect for wildlife viewing, alongside pleasant temperatures as the sharp winter chill subsides and uncomfortable summer temperatures haven’t hit yet. However, as it is peak season it also means that while conditions are very attractive the prices might not be. In some destinations you may see safari lodges in peak season costing two or three times more than low season.
I wanted to highlight Hwange as the perfect anecdote to unaffordable peak season safaris but still with some of the best wildlife viewing on the continent and legendary Zimbabwean guiding. Zimbabwe has the most rigorous guide training programme on the continent and the difference this makes to the enjoyment and experience of any safari shouldn’t underestimated.
Yes prices do increase for peak season in Zimbabwe but it is more moderate than some of its neighbouring countries. Hwange National Park is the largest and one of the most renowned national parks in Zimbabwe, located in the northwest corner of the country, it is easy to combine with Victoria Falls and if you have time it is worth visiting more than camp in this diverse park. Have a look at our Hwange Highlights itinerary for an idea.
The park is famous for its density of elephants and since rhinos were introduced to community land on its eastern edge it now offers a ‘Big 5’ experience, along with a good chance of seeing Africa wild dog and cheetahs as well as 400 species of bird.
We’d recommend at least 6 nights on safari.
Trips start at £4,000 per person, excluding flights.
The view from Deteema Springs in Hwange National Park
Pantanal, Brazil
Best for city exploring and epic wildlife
August sees Brazil on the verge of spring and not only is it a great time to visit for wildlife across the country it is a beautiful time to explore the country's vibrant cities with comfortable warm temperatures and fewer visitors than during summer.
The Pantanal to the south of the country is a seasonally flooded area with islands of dry land where the wildlife concentrates. During the wet season it is hard to explore as you can’t drive anywhere and you have to travel by horse or canoe. The dry season is between July and October and this is the best time to visit.
Dry, warm conditions draw wildlife to the rivers and lagoon to quench their thirst, which can make for some excellent sightings of birdlife, primates and potentially jaguars. The Pantanal offers so much more than just this apex predator and August is one of the best times to visit for concentrations of wading birds, sightings of giant otters and busy stork colonies all with a backdrop of pink and yellow flowered Tabebuia tree species.
We’d recommend at least 8 nights.
Trips start at £4,500 per person, excluding flights.
Sri Lanka
For beach lovers with a side of wildlife
Sri Lanka can be visited throughout the year and while there are nuances in what you can expect month to month across the country, with Sri Lanka’s rich culture, penchant for a festival and diversity of landscapes it is possible to make an argument for any month of year.
Sri Lanka’s east coast beaches come into their own in August and depending on the rest of your itinerary - Trincomalee and Nilaveli, Passekudah and Arugam Bay are worth considering. If you can be tempted away from the glittering ocean bays then out to sea blue and sperm whales migrate at this time of year and from Trincomalee for example they can be as close as 6-8 nautical miles from the coast (around 30 minutes by boat). A chance to the see the world’s largest ever living creature shouldn’t be passed up and you may also see dolphins and gravity defying flying fish.
From Colombo as you head east you may like to coincide your trip with a visit to Kandy and the Kandy Perahera. The annual festival of dancing and parades focused around the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha is often held in August.
If you'd like to include more wildlife during your trip then to visit Yala National Park, stay near the Kataragama Gate as this is much less crowded or instead head to Wilpatu National Park or Gal Oya.
We’d recommend at least 10 nights.
Trips start at £3,000 per person, excluding flights.
West Coast National Park, South Africa
For a flower safari
Every year, during August and September (depending on the rains) the Western Cape in South Africa is transformed into a glorious carpet of bold, bright, and beautiful colors and wildflowers burst to life in early austral spring.
Typically the best time to see the wildflowers is the second week of August through to mid-September, however it does vary slightly from year to year depending on a range of factors. As the climate changes around the world it is becoming increasingly hard to predict. However mid to late August is a great bet.
As the first hints of spring fill the air, you might like to start your trip in Cape Town for a few days exploring everything this city has to offer, along with a visit to the stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It gets very busy at this time of year, so arrive early to avoid the crowds.
The West Coast National Park around an hour’s drive north of Cape Town is where the real magic happens as the vast landscapes of the park are covered in a glorious abundance of wildflowers. Keep a look out for eland and bontebok grazing among the ‘sea’ of reds, yellows and pinks.
Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel in the quaint town of Paternoster is one of our favourite accommodations in the area for day trips into the West Coast National Park during the day, with a luxury, beachfront base to return to.
We’d recommend at least 7 nights.
Trips start at £2,850 per person, excluding flights
Strandloper Boutique Ocean Hotel
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