September (and August) is widely regarded as the best months to travel to Africa. Virtually everywhere offers great game viewing before the long dry season ends around mid/late-September. The north west of Canada offers prime grizzly bear viewing, when the salmon are usually in abundance swimming on a journey upstream to their place of birth to reproduce.
Top tips:
Namibia is one of Africa’s most enticing destinations. Many of the unique animals have adapted to life in the desert and congregate around drying waterholes in September as the temperatures rise. The scenery is spectacular here.
September is a good month to visit Borneo, as it’s outside the main monsoon season. Although being primarily rainforest, it’s never completely dry. You will get a good view of the endangered orangutans.
The Otago Peninsula, in New Zealand, is home to the only mainland colony of Albatross, where you can witness them as they breed and raise their young. The previous year’s hatchlings impress too, as they begin to take their maiden flight you can see just how big there wingspan really is. September is the start of the breeding season, where the Albatross begin to arrive and build their nests.
The world’s best shore-based whale watching experience can be seen off the coast of Hermanus, South Africa, between July and November. Humpbacks and Southern right whales are frequently spotted here, and up the coastal path, for a good vantage point atop of the weather-beaten ocean cliffs or book a boat trip for a closer view. Not sure where to look? Listen out for the town’s ‘whale crier’, whose bellowing horn indicates that a pod of whales is nearby.
Best September destinations for wildlife watching
- Desert adapted elephant’s, Namibia.
- Critically endangered orangutans, Borneo.
- Albatross at Otago Peninsula, New Zealand.
- Whale Watching, South Africa.
- Bears, whales, and puffins, Canada.
- Bears, Romania.
- Galápagos (see what is happening month by month on the islands).
- Africa (see what is happening month by month on this continent).
