A Christmas safari in Kenya or Tanzania is a magical way for Americans to celebrate the holidays. Instead of snow and shopping malls, you wake up to the calls of lions and the sight of elephants crossing sunlit plains, then end the day with a festive dinner under the stars. With US schools on winter break and many workplaces closed between Christmas and New Year, the holiday season is one of the most popular times for American families to travel to East Africa.
This guide explains everything you need to know about a Christmas safari, from the weather and wildlife in December to booking tips, festive celebrations at lodges, beach extensions on Zanzibar and why Thanksgiving week is another excellent time to travel.
In This Guide
- Why Choose a Christmas Safari?
- Weather in December
- Wildlife Over the Holidays
- Christmas at the Lodges
- 9 Wonderful Holiday Tips
- A Sample Holiday Itinerary
- Thanksgiving Safaris
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose a Christmas Safari?
For many families, a Christmas safari replaces gifts with experiences that last a lifetime. Children remember the first lion they saw far longer than any toy, and the holidays give everyone time to travel together without missing school or work. The warm, sunny weather is also a welcome escape from the cold of a northern US winter.
The festive season is a wonderful time in the parks. The short rains have usually ended, the landscapes are green, many animals have newborn young and migrant birds have arrived from Europe and Asia. In Tanzania, the great herds of the migration are gathering in the southern Serengeti ahead of the calving season.
It is also a season of celebration in Kenya and Tanzania, where Christmas is widely observed and many people travel home to their families. A Christmas safari also lends itself to combining with a beach stay on Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast, so you can celebrate New Year's Eve on the sand.
Weather in December
December marks the end of the short rains. Early in the month there may still be afternoon showers, but by Christmas the weather is usually warm and mostly dry across Kenya and northern Tanzania. Daytime temperatures typically reach the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, while early mornings in higher areas such as the Masai Mara and the Ngorongoro Crater rim can be cool, in the 50s.
The landscapes are lush and green after the rains, with dramatic skies that are wonderful for photography. Dust is minimal, and wildflowers often bloom on the plains. On Zanzibar and the coast, December is hot, sunny and perfect for swimming. Read our guides to the best time for a safari from the USA and the best time to visit Kenya.
Wildlife Over the Holidays
A Christmas safari offers excellent wildlife viewing in both countries.
- Southern Serengeti and Ndutu, Tanzania: the migration herds move south in December, with calving beginning in late January and February. Predators follow closely.
- The Masai Mara, Kenya: the migration has left for Tanzania, but the Mara's resident lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and buffaloes remain, and visitor numbers are lower than in the summer peak.
- Amboseli, Kenya: elephants enjoy the fresh green grass, and Kilimanjaro is often clear after the rains.
- The Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania: excellent year round, with a good chance of seeing black rhinos.
- Birdwatching: migrant birds from Europe and Asia make December one of the best months for birding. Read our guide to birdwatching in Kenya.
Read our guides to the Great Migration month by month and the Serengeti National Park.
Christmas at the Lodges
Safari lodges and camps celebrate the festive season in style. Many decorate their common areas, serve special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, and host New Year's Eve celebrations with music, dancing and sometimes fireworks. Some lodges arrange carol singing, visits from staff dressed as Santa for children, or traditional performances.
Because the holidays are the busiest time of year at many lodges, festive meals are often included or charged as a supplement, and some lodges apply a festive season supplement on key dates such as December 24, 25, 26 and 31 and January 1. Your safari company will include these details in your quote.
Christmas services are held in churches in Nairobi, Arusha and Stone Town for those who wish to attend. For families who want a traditional touch, bring a few small decorations, Christmas stockings or gifts to open on Christmas morning. Exchanging small gifts in a tent overlooking the savannah is a memory your family will treasure.
9 Wonderful Holiday Tips for a Christmas Safari
1. Book a Year in Advance
Lodges in the Serengeti, the Masai Mara and on Zanzibar often fill up a year ahead for the festive season. Book your Christmas safari as early as possible.
2. Book Flights Early
Holiday flights from the USA are in high demand. Reserve your tickets as soon as your safari dates are confirmed. Read our guide to flights from the USA to Kenya and Tanzania.
3. Consider the Southern Serengeti
For the most dramatic wildlife, follow the herds to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania.
4. Avoid Travel on Christmas Day Itself
Plan to be at a lodge on December 24 and 25 so you can enjoy the celebrations rather than spending the day on the road.
5. Pack for Showers
Bring a light waterproof jacket in case of late-season rain, especially in early December.
6. Apply for Entry Documents Early
Government offices may be busier or closed around the holidays, so apply for your Kenya eTA and Tanzania eVisa well ahead. See our guide to the Kenya eTA for US citizens.
7. Plan a Beach Finale
End your Christmas safari on Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast for New Year's Eve on the beach.
8. Bring Small Gifts
A few small, lightweight gifts or decorations make Christmas morning special without adding much weight to your bags.
9. Budget for Tips and Supplements
Festive supplements and holiday tips for staff are part of the season. Read our guide to US dollars on safari.
A Sample 10-Day Christmas Safari
- December 20: fly from the USA.
- December 21: arrive in Nairobi and rest.
- December 22 to 23: Amboseli, for elephants beneath Kilimanjaro.
- December 24: Lake Naivasha, with a boat ride and Christmas Eve dinner.
- December 25 to 27: Masai Mara, with Christmas Day game drives and a festive dinner.
- December 28 to 31: fly to Zanzibar for beach time and a New Year's Eve celebration.
- January 1: fly home.
Our 6 Day Amboseli and Masai Mara Safari and 5 Day Zanzibar Island Tour combine perfectly for a holiday trip. In Tanzania, the 4 Day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Safari is ideal for following the herds south.
Christmas Safari in Kenya vs Tanzania
Both countries are excellent for a Christmas safari, but each has its own strengths at this time of year. In Kenya, the parks are close together and easy to reach from Nairobi, so you can visit Amboseli, the Rift Valley lakes and the Masai Mara in a week without long drives. With the migration gone south, the Mara is quieter than in summer, but its resident big cats keep game viewing excellent.
In Tanzania, December is the start of one of the most exciting periods in the Serengeti. The herds gather on the short-grass plains of the south, and predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas are never far away. Combined with the Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire, Tanzania offers a classic holiday circuit. Many families combine both countries, crossing at Namanga between Nairobi and Arusha. Read our Kenya and Tanzania safari guide for Americans.
What to Pack for a Holiday Safari
- Light, breathable clothes in neutral colors, plus a fleece for cool mornings
- A light waterproof jacket for occasional showers
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Insect repellent, as mosquitoes are more common after the rains
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens
- Swimwear for lodge pools and the beach
- A smart-casual outfit for festive dinners
- Small gifts, stockings or decorations for Christmas morning
Remember that safari flights limit luggage to a soft duffel bag with a modest weight allowance. Read our full safari packing list.
Christmas on Zanzibar
Ending a Christmas safari on Zanzibar is a favorite with American families and couples. The island is hot and sunny in late December, with calm seas ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Beach resorts host festive dinners and New Year's Eve parties, while Stone Town's rooftop restaurants offer views of fireworks over the harbor. Because this is peak season on the island, book beach hotels early. Read our guides to the best time to visit Zanzibar and our safari and Zanzibar honeymoon guide.
Photography in the Green Season
The weeks around Christmas are wonderful for photographers. Fresh green grass makes colorful backdrops for wildlife, storm clouds create dramatic skies and the air is clear after the rains, with little dust. Newborn animals offer touching moments, and predators are active as they follow the herds. Bring a zoom lens and spare batteries, and ask your guide to position the vehicle with the light behind you. Read our Kenya photography safari tips.
Giving Back During the Holidays
The holiday season is a natural time to think about giving. Many lodges and conservation groups support local schools, clinics and wildlife projects, and some welcome donations or visits from guests. Buying crafts directly from Maasai and other community cooperatives also supports families who live alongside wildlife. If you would like to include a meaningful visit or donation as part of your Christmas safari, let us know and we will suggest options. Read our guide to Masai Mara conservancies to see how tourism supports local communities.
A Family Christmas Safari
Winter break is a perfect time for a family Christmas safari, as children are out of school and the whole family can travel together. Choose lodges with swimming pools and family rooms, keep driving times short and build in rest afternoons. Children love spotting animals from the pop-up roof, walking with giraffes on Crescent Island and visiting a Maasai village. Read our guide to a family safari from the USA.
A Day on a Christmas Safari
Christmas morning on safari is unlike any other. You might start with a sunrise game drive, watching a cheetah scan the plains or a family of elephants feeding on fresh green grass. Back at the lodge, a festive breakfast awaits, and there is time to open small gifts on your veranda while weaver birds chatter in the trees.
The afternoon brings another game drive as the light turns golden, perhaps followed by a sundowner on a hilltop with views across the savannah. In the evening, the lodge's Christmas dinner brings guests together, often with traditional dishes alongside local specialties, candles, music and decorations. Many families say this blend of adventure and celebration becomes a new holiday tradition.
Other US Holidays for a Safari
If Christmas and Thanksgiving do not suit your schedule, other US holidays can also anchor a great trip. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day fall in the dry, warm months of January and February, when the calving season is under way in the southern Serengeti. Spring break in March often catches the end of the dry season, and Memorial Day comes at the end of the green season, when parks are quiet and lush. Read our guide to the best time for a safari from the USA for a full holiday calendar.
Safety and Peace of Mind
Traveling during the busiest season of the year is easier with a local operator. If flights are delayed or plans change, your safari company can adjust transfers and lodge bookings quickly. Keep copies of your documents, carry travel insurance with medical evacuation cover and share your itinerary with family at home. Safari areas are generally very safe for visitors. Read our guide Is Kenya safe for tourists?
Thanksgiving Safaris
If the Christmas period is too busy, Thanksgiving week is another excellent time for Americans to travel. Late November falls during the short rains, when brief afternoon showers keep the landscapes green and the dust down. Visitor numbers are lower than over Christmas, lodges are easier to book and many offer good-value rates.
In late November, the migration herds are usually moving south from the Masai Mara through the eastern Serengeti, while the Mara's resident wildlife remains excellent. Using the Thanksgiving holiday and a weekend, you can enjoy a week-long safari with fewer vacation days. Some lodges even serve a special dinner for American guests. Read our guide to how many days you need for a safari.
New Year's Eve in Africa
Celebrating New Year's Eve on safari or on the beach is unforgettable. Lodges host gala dinners and parties, while Zanzibar's beach resorts and Stone Town come alive with music and celebrations. For a quieter evening, toast the new year around a campfire under a sky full of stars, listening to the sounds of the bush. Read our guide to festive-season adventure ideas.
Health and Practical Tips
Visit a travel clinic six to eight weeks before your Christmas safari, as holiday appointments can be harder to book. Read our safari vaccines guide for US travelers, and check the CDC pages for Kenya and Tanzania. Mosquitoes are more common after the rains, so use repellent and follow your doctor's advice on malaria prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good month for a Christmas safari? Yes. The weather is warm and mostly dry, the landscapes are green and wildlife viewing is excellent.
Where is the Great Migration at Christmas? Usually moving into the southern Serengeti in Tanzania, ahead of the calving season.
Do lodges celebrate Christmas? Yes. Many host festive dinners, decorations and New Year's Eve parties.
How early should I book a Christmas safari? Ideally a year in advance, especially for popular lodges and Zanzibar hotels.
Is Thanksgiving a good time for a safari? Yes. It is green, quieter and good value, with excellent resident wildlife.
Is it very busy at Christmas? Popular lodges are full, but the parks are large, and a private vehicle with a good guide helps you find quieter sightings.
Will it rain on a Christmas safari? Occasional showers are possible early in December, but by Christmas the weather is usually warm and mostly dry.
Can we celebrate Hanukkah or other holidays on safari? Yes. Let your safari company know, and lodges can often help with special meals or arrangements.
Can I combine a Christmas safari with the beach? Yes. Zanzibar and the Kenyan coast are perfect for New Year's Eve.
Plan Your Christmas Safari
Give your family the gift of Africa this holiday season. Our team can design a Christmas safari or Thanksgiving trip around your dates, with festive dinners, family rooms and beach extensions arranged for you. Contact us for a free, tailor-made itinerary, or explore our Kenya safari packages and Tanzania safari packages. For official park information, see the Kenya Wildlife Service and Tanzania National Parks.