Off-peak travel earns a bevy of nicknames. Shoulder, low and off-season are common. ‘Green’ or ‘emerald season’ are monikers that refer to the time of year when the grasses are tall and landscapes are lush thanks to the life-giving African rains.

We don’t love any of these terms because the language infers that any months falling beyond ‘dry season’ are inferior when in fact, they’re not. In our opinion, overlooking them is a missed opportunity. Hence, we prefer the term ‘secret season.’

Africa’s secret season has fewer crowds, amazing value with lower rates, stunning leafy green landscapes, plenty of newborn wildlife, and it’s the very best time for birdwatchers interested in migratory birds. Read on to learn more…

Photograph courtesy of Great Plains Sitatunga

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What is a Secret Season Safari in Africa?

Each summer, East Africa welcomes a parade of wildebeest and zebra numbering in the hundreds of thousands in a phenomenon known as The Great Migration. However, what portraits of a sun-drenched savannah fail to capture in widescreen are the downsides of visiting at the same time as everyone else: line-ups at the gates of national parks; a string of Land Cruisers stalking a lone cheetah; vehicles jockeying for the best view of a fresh lion kill. Not to mention, rates are at their highest. As an alternative, Extraordinary Journeys safari specialists instead point to traveling during the green season. Or, as we like to call it, ‘secret season.’ Think: fewer people in camp equating to a more personalized experience, and camp staff who are able to pull out all the stops when they aren’t at capacity. You might even get a private vehicle at no cost. Read the blog to learn more about this special time to travel in Africa…

Photograph courtesy of Time and Tide Chongwe

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Itinerary: Gorillas, Monkeys, and Adventure in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking and chimp trekking are major highlights in Rwanda. Thanks to these countries’ equatorial geography and rainforest habitats, the trekking experiences are fairly consistent in whichever month. The cost of permits can drop in secret season if you’re visiting more than one national park, and you will save on lodging, your hiking party may have fewer people, and you might get more say in which habituated family you visit. This eight-night itinerary showcases the best of Rwanda’s primate destinations from the comfort of two exclusive resorts, Nyungwe House and the newly re-built Gorilla’s Nest, as well as time to retreat at the stunning Cleo Lake Kivu, situated on the lakeshore with stunning views.

Photograph by Alicia-Rae Light

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Itinerary: Explore Northern Tanzania

Tanzania is an iconic safari destination, offering the largest concentration and diversity of animals in Africa. This itinerary showcases three outstanding locations in northern Tanzania: Tarangire National Park is something of a hidden secret, offering a huge concentration of game with a fraction of the visitors found in other parks. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, offering a microcosm of East African scenery as well as abundant wildlife—Entamanu Camp where you’ll stay is located in a pristine environment with uninterrupted views of wilderness. Wrap up your adventure at Serengeti Safari Camp, an intimate mobile camp which moves four times a year throughout the Serengeti.

Photograph courtesy of Getty Images

Explore Northern Tanzania

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