The secret beauty of autumn: Why April and May are a spectacular time for safari

Cooler days, golden sunsets and exceptional game viewing

Mornings on safari now carry a refreshing crispness, inviting you to wrap up in a light jacket and savour a comforting cup of Amarula coffee during your game drive. As the sun rises, golden light spills over the landscape, illuminating a bush that is still full of life yet beginning to open up. As the vegetation thins, the landscape opens up, offering even clearer views of wildlife.

Elephants, which could drink from seasonal rain puddles just weeks ago, now make more frequent visits to permanent waterholes. With them come herds of buffalo, small groups of zebra, and solitary giraffes, all taking advantage of the last of the lingering water sources before the dry months ahead.

Elephant calf and mom at the waterhole at Shumbalala Game Lodge.

Afternoons are warm yet pleasantly mild, perfect for a leisurely lunch overlooking the lodge’s waterhole, where warthogs and nyala casually drop by for a drink - and sometimes, a thirsty elephant herd may join in too. There are still occasional late showers, refreshing the earth. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky ignites in vibrant shades of orange and pink, creating some of the most beautiful golden sunsets of the year.

Sunset view on game drive in the Thornybush Nature Reserve.

The impala rut: A time of drama and excitement

By now, the impalas are anything but quiet. The rutting season is in full swing, and the change in their behaviour is impossible to miss. Normally delicate and cautious, the males have become restless and vocal, their grunts and snorts echoing through the bush as they chase rivals and attempt to gather harems of females.

Impala rutting. 

With their minds fixed on challenging opponents and securing mates, impalas are distracted - making them prime targets for stealthy predators. It’s during these weeks that leopards take full advantage, slipping through the grasses while an impala ram is too busy posturing to notice. Lions and wild dogs, too, are drawn to the easy opportunity, creating thrilling sightings on game drives.

This timing is no coincidence - by synchronising mating in autumn, impalas ensure that most lambs are born in early summer, when fresh grazing is plentiful and survival chances are higher.

Herd of Impala ewes. 

A season of strength and abundance

Unlike the dry winter months ahead, April and May still hold onto the generosity of the rainy season. This means that wildlife is in peak condition - impalas are muscular and sleek, buffaloes are well-fed and strong, and even the elephants seem to move with an extra sense of ease.

The landscape still provides enough food, but signs of change are emerging. Zebra herds and wildebeest start shifting slightly, following the best remaining grazing areas. Giraffes stretch toward the last fresh leaves before they begin browsing more on tougher acacia trees. The first hints of winter movement are visible, but for now, the bush is still full of life.

An autumn scene: Zebra in Thornybush Nature Reserve.

Predators sharpen their advantage

With the bush slowly thinning, predators are gaining the upper hand. Lions patrol more confidently, their golden coats blending seamlessly with the drying grasses. Leopards become easier to spot, no longer able to disappear into thick summer foliage. Wild dogs start scouting for den sites, as their breeding season approaches in the coming months.

A perfect perch - this leopard surveys the autumn bush from above. Image by Jordi Woerts.

Spotted hyenas follow the changing movement of prey, ever watchful for an opportunity to steal a meal. And high in the skies, martial eagles and tawny eagles soar, their sharp eyes scanning the open ground below for signs of movement.

A vigilant hyena waits below, eyes fixed on a carcass suspended high in the branches—hoping for a fallen scrap. Image by Jordi Woerts.

The smaller wonders of autumn

It’s not just the big animals that undergo seasonal shifts - some of the bush’s smallest inhabitants are also adjusting to the change in weather. Dung beetles continue their last push before winter, rolling their prized balls of dung before burying them in the earth. Baboon spiders and scorpions emerge more often at night, when the air is drier and cooler.

Leopard tortoises make the most of the last remaining pools of water, slowly ambling between patches of damp grass. Frogs and insects start to quiet down as the season shifts, their presence fading with the retreating warmth of summer.

Birdlife, too, is on the move. Summer visitors like Wahlberg’s eagles, barn swallows, and European bee-eaters begin their long migration north, and the bush feels just a little quieter as their calls fade. But while some birds depart, resident raptors take centre stage - tawny eagles and African hawk-eagles make the most of the thinning vegetation, while Verreaux’s eagle-owls and pearl-spotted owlets remain active, hunting under the cover of night.

A European roller makes a final stop before its long journey north, as autumn settles over the bush.

As temperatures drop further, reptiles like snakes and lizards bask more frequently in the sun, storing warmth for the cooler nights ahead.

Autumn at Shumbalala Game Lodge: A season for slow afternoons and cosy evenings

Back at the lodge, autumn brings with it long, relaxed afternoons and atmospheric evenings spent under the stars. The days are warm and balmy, perfect for enjoying lunches out on the deck, where you might find yourself joined by a family of nyalas nibbling on the fresh grass nearby.

As the evenings turn cooler, our private wine cellar becomes a favourite retreat, with guests beginning to reach for full-bodied South African reds over crisp summer whites. A glass of Shiraz or Pinotage by the fire, paired with a beautifully prepared meal, feels like the perfect way to wind down after a day of adventure.

Father & Son Shiraz – a fireside favourite.

On warmer evenings, dining under the open sky remains a must-do experience, with clear, starry nights and the distant call of a hyena providing the ultimate bush soundtrack. But as the nights grow cooler, the warmth of a crackling fire inside the lodge becomes just as inviting, creating the perfect setting to savour a slow-cooked venison dish or a fresh, seasonal plate inspired by the bushveld. No matter the setting, each meal feels more indulgent in the crisp autumn air.

Fireside dining on a crisp autumn evening.

A perfect time for a spontaneous safari adventure

The beauty of autumn in the bush is that it offers the best of both worlds - the last warmth of summer and the first signs of winter’s approach. It’s a season of transition, of golden light, and of wildlife thriving in a time of balance.

For those who know the bush well, April and May are a secret season - one of the most rewarding times to visit. The wildlife is at its best, the landscapes are stunning, and the safari experience feels peaceful and exclusive, just before peak season begins.

A peaceful retreat after a day in the bush—our Superior Suite awaits.

If you’ve been thinking about a safari but haven’t made any plans yet, this just might be the perfect opportunity to discover the magic of autumn in the bush.