When to go

Where to go in November

Conditions across all 46 destinations we cover, ranked for November. Wildlife viewing first, then weather, with the quieter option leading where two places are equally good.

Best in November

Kidepo Valley National ParkUganda
Peak dry season — the best game viewing and the highest prices.
Mgahinga Gorilla National ParkUganda
Wet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkUganda
Wet month — expect rain most days, and lush, difficult country.

Good conditions, few people

Strong weather this month without the high-season crowds — usually the best value on the calendar.

Murchison Falls National Park

Every destination in November

Ratings are out of five. Crowds invert: more bars means busier.

Wildlife, weather, crowd level, rainfall and temperature for each destination in November
Destination	Wildlife	Weather	Crowds	Rainfall	Temperature
Kidepo Valley National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 5 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	25 mm	17–35 °C
Mgahinga Gorilla National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	140 mm	10–21 °C
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	11–22 °C
Volcanoes National ParkRwanda	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	190 mm	10–20 °C
Mafia IslandTanzania	Wildlife: 5 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	200 mm	24–32 °C
Murchison Falls National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 4 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	90 mm	18–32 °C
Ngorongoro CraterTanzania	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	9–21 °C
Kibale National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	15–26 °C
Nyungwe Forest National ParkRwanda	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	190 mm	11–21 °C
Serengeti National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 4 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	15–27 °C
Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo LengaiTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	105 mm	22–37 °C
Lake Manyara National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	17–29 °C
Ruaha National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	90 mm	18–32 °C
Tarangire National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	16–29 °C
Nyerere National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	90 mm	20–34 °C
Diani BeachKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	120 mm	24–32 °C
Watamu and MalindiKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	120 mm	24–32 °C
Mahale Mountains National ParkTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	160 mm	18–28 °C
Pemba IslandTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	200 mm	24–32 °C
Samburu National ReserveKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	120 mm	20–34 °C
Amboseli National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	130 mm	16–30 °C
Akagera National ParkRwanda	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	190 mm	16–27 °C
Laikipia and Ol PejetaKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	120 mm	11–27 °C
Lake Mburo National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	16–27 °C
Lake Naivasha and Hell's GateKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	130 mm	11–27 °C
Lake Nakuru National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	130 mm	12–28 °C
Maasai MaraKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	130 mm	14–28 °C
Queen Elizabeth National ParkUganda	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	17–28 °C
Nairobi National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	130 mm	14–26 °C
ZanzibarTanzania	Wildlife: 3 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	200 mm	24–32 °C
Tsavo East National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	130 mm	21–34 °C
Tsavo West National ParkKenya	Wildlife: 2 / 5	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	130 mm	19–31 °C
LamuKenya	—	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	120 mm	25–33 °C
ArushaTanzania	—	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	14–26 °C
Mount KilimanjaroTanzania	—	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	105 mm	8–22 °C
MombasaKenya	—	Weather: 3 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	120 mm	24–32 °C
Rwenzori Mountains National ParkUganda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	140 mm	6–17 °C
TangaTanzania	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 1 / 5	200 mm	23–32 °C
Dar es SalaamTanzania	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	200 mm	24–33 °C
Jinja and the Source of the NileUganda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	17–27 °C
Mount KenyaKenya	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	200 mm	5–19 °C
Lake BunyonyiUganda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	12–23 °C
Ssese IslandsUganda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 2 / 5	140 mm	18–27 °C
KampalaUganda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	140 mm	18–27 °C
KigaliRwanda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	190 mm	15–26 °C
EntebbeUganda	—	Weather: 2 / 5	Crowds: 3 / 5	140 mm	18–26 °C

Climate normals and typical patterns, not a forecast. East African rains have been arriving less predictably than these averages suggest — treat them as a guide to the shape of the year, not a promise about a given week.