Where to go in August
August is Europe at its most crowded, but the southern hemisphere runs the other way: whale season in South Africa and the last, clearest weeks of the dry season in Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Countries in high season in August
Zimbabwe
The last month of the dry season: 31C, zero rainy days and the highest concentration of wildlife.
What to expect: With water scarce, sightings peak for the year. Middays are hot and daytime drives get shorter.
Open the Zimbabwe page
Zambia
The same window: 31C, rain-free and the last easy month for walking safaris.
What to expect: The falls run at their lowest, which is when spots such as Devil’s Pool open. Dust is heavy.
Open the Zambia page
South Africa
Late winter: 20C, five rainy days and whale season along the Hermanus coast.
What to expect: The bush is thin around Kruger and visibility is open. Cape Town is cool and windy, so the two regions need two kinds of packing.
Open the South Africa page
Indonesia
The middle of the Bali dry season: 29C and one of the lowest rainy-day counts of the year.
What to expect: Surf and dive conditions are at their best. It overlaps with the European summer break, so the island is busy and prices are high.
Open the Indonesia page
Madagascar
Dry season: 21C, three rainy days and the whale migration along the coast.
What to expect: Nights on the high plateau are cold. Road conditions are the best of the year, which makes long overland transfers possible.
Open the Madagascar page
Portugal
The driest month of the year: 28C and a measured single rainy day.
What to expect: The whole country is on holiday, so coastal towns and rooms are at their priciest. The Douro in the north stays cooler than inland.
Open the Portugal page
Temperature and rainfall figures are multi-year averages for the cities in our catalogue. This is an editorial suggestion, not a weather or availability guarantee.
Cruises this month
The peak continues. Family demand is at its strongest and balcony cabins sell out months ahead.
All cruises