Let's start with when not to travel: November, April and May. This is the rainy season in East Africa and it becomes pretty hard to get around in the remote places our guests want to explore. The mass migration moves from Kenya into the Serengeti in Tanzania in December, January, February, and March. That can be a spectacular time to travel in Tanzania.

Kenya and Tanzania are great year-round destinations. July through August and the month of December are the busiest times in Kenya and Tanzania. Lodges and parks can be crowded with tourists and reservations often must be made six, eight, even nine months in advance. July and August also happen to be the best time to catch the wildebeest in the Maasai Mara. Seasonal rains hit hardest from March to May (with lighter rains falling October to December).

July and August offer the best deals on hotels and fewer visitors than the spring or fall, but the heat index soars. December and January also offer reasonable deals along with milder temperatures. The busiest times to visit (other than Mardi Gras, of course) are March and October when the weather is gorgeous and city wide conventions are most commonly booked. Hotel rooms can be hard to find and expensive.

There are two rainy seasons that you should probably avoid. The short rains are in November and the long rains start at the end of March and go through to the end of May. Although, having said that, we will add that it is not really a big deal, people are used to it and manage to carry on with rain or not, and skidding on the muddy roads in a 4x4 wheel drive can actually be a lot of fun. August and October are just about the best times but to see the wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara.

If you are interested in hiking, the best time to visit is July through October. Trails are typically still covered with snow through the middle of June. Of course, this all depends on weather conditions. Aspen does not typically see a heavy first snow until October/November. Again, this cannot be predicted.

Several periods offer their own advantages: the first 15 days of January, and the period comprised between August 1 and August 15 are the best periods for hotel discounts. August is a great month until August 20 because car trafic is much lighter. May and June are usually great months for their mild temperatures. September can be great during an Indian summer, but the hotels get crowded. The period extending from right before Christmas to righ after New Year Eve is terrifically romantic.

Most visitors come to the Canyon from May through September. If you decide to come then, be aware that the high season, while beautiful, means large crowds and parking at a premium. In the off-season from October through April, crowds are minimal and seeing the Canyon with a dusting of snow is worth the trip! Beware that some parts of the park and some services are closed in the off-season.

Kenya offers excellent game-viewing throughout the year. The country is divided by the Equator and enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. The hottest period is in February and March and the coldest in July and August.

The best time to visit Bhutan are: March through May in spring, and September through November in Fall. The climate is best in fall, from late September to late November, when skies are clear and the high mountain peaks are visible. This is the ideal time for trekking and for travelling throughout the country. You may arrange your trip surrounding an annual Tsechu (relegious dance festival).

Any time is the best time. If you are feeling ill in any way it never hurts to get a professional opinion.