Desperate for some sun? Our expert reveals the 18 destinations to visit NOW for some much-needed warm weather... no matter your budget
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Easter falls on April 6 this year, meaning most of March is likely to be free of school holiday crowds – wherever you choose to travel. And particularly as it's still firmly off-season in many parts of the world – especially in Europe, towards the Med – hotel prices are also well below their peak.
Here are 18 places around the world that shine in March, and should be booked now to score some exceptional deals...
Florence, Italy
Average March temperature: 7–17°C
Florence in March means Botticelli without the hordes and Brunelleschi’s dome without peak-season queues. The Boboli Gardens begin to green up now, while the markets are quieter and gorgeous spring light flatters the Arno at sunset.
Spend the temperate days lingering in the Uffizi, climbing San Miniato al Monte, and eating Tuscan soup ribollita without breaking into a sweat.
The gorgeous spring light flatters the Arno at sunset in Florence
ON THE CHEAP: Hotel Davanzati
Tucked behind the Via Tornabuoni, family-run palazzo Hotel Davanzati dials up the old-Florence charm.
The bedrooms feature terracotta floors, exposed beams and traditional Tuscan furnishings, while communal spaces include a cosy amnesty bar, and a daily aperitivo hour with prosecco and nibbles.
The hotel’s big draw, though, is its location: five minutes’ walk from the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio, this is a favourite with returning cultural vultures.
BLOW THE BUDGET: The Palazzo Firenze by Baglioni Hotels & Resorts
The Palazzo Firenze by Baglioni Hotels & Resorts is a five-star, 18th-century Renaissance palazzo near Santa Croce, in the heart of Florence.
The hotel leans into Florentine pomp, with frescoed ceilings, marble bathrooms and classically dressed rooms, with studded leather armchairs and black wooden panelling.
Cocktails are served in the magnificent Music Room, while breakfast is a genuine indulgence with specialities including eggs Royale with black truffle.
The cool spring weather is ideal for cycling along the Rhône and Saône river banks in Lyon
Lyon, France
Average March temperature: 5–14°C
Reaching its zenith at renowned food market, Les Halles de Lyon, France’s gourmet capital bursts at the seams with fresh produce in early spring months.
Beyond the market stalls, sample the lighter menus rolled out by the city’s bouchons featuring quennelles and salad lyonnaise, or stop at boulangeries along the Renaissance streets of Vieux Lyon for a praline brioche.
The cooler spring weather is also ideal for cycling along the Rhône and Saône river banks, or for a day trip to the vineyards of Beaujolais, before the summer tour groups arrive en masse.
ON THE CHEAP: MiHotel, Lyon
Right in the centre of the city, and an easy stroll to the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, the MiHotel has a high-fashion apartment-feel with marble fireplaces, herringbone parquet flooring and quirky touches in some rooms, such as a swing and a retro projector.
There's no traditional lobby experience, either: check in online, and you’ll be sent an entry code before you arrive.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Villa Maia, Lyon
Snug in the folds of Fourvière Hill, the Villa Maia was part designed by the architects behind one wing of the Louvre – so expect a seriously stylised experience. The balcony rooms have gorgeous views out over the russet rooftops of the city and the river Rhone while, inside, the bathrooms are bedecked in Carrera marble and high-end toiletries by Louis Benech.
Breakfast in the garden should be possible on a mild March day without an overcoat, and, as you'd expect from Lyon, there are superb offerings to start the day, including artisan breads, praline-filled brioche and, naturally, freshly baked croissants.
The Hagia Sophia grand mosque in Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Average March temperature: 7–14°C
March marks the beginning of tulip season in Emirgan Park – but the crowds are still thin enough to properly enjoy the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum, and Basilica Cistern without enervation setting in before lunch.
The ferries across the Bosphorus are also quieter, the Grand Bazaar a little more navigable, and the myriad hammams at their most inviting.
To top it all off, after a day of sightseeing, it will still be warm enough for tea on the Galata Bridge and a view of the sunset from Pierre Loti Hill.
The Neorion Hotel might be inexpensive, but it has an underground spa complete with Turkish hammam, pool and sauna
ON THE CHEAP: Neorion Hotel, Istanbul
In Sultanahmet’s quieter backstreets, Neorion’s main draw is its underground spa, complete with Turkish hammam, pool and sauna – unusually comprehensive for a hotel of its size.
Rooms have a gently Ottoman feel, with dark woods and Turkish rugs, while breakfast is a generous spread of fresh pastries and hot dishes. It’s also an easy walk from here to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Raffles, Istanbul
Don’t be put off by the fact that the Turkish branch of this Singaporean staple is located in a shopping mall – Raffles knows what it’s doing.
Amid the alluring boutiques and restaurants of the Zorlu Center, Raffles Istanbul is modern, glossy and international in feel, with vast rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bathrooms and private balconies overlooking the Bosphorus.
There’s a sprawling spa complex, while the service is slick and cosmopolitan – and includes a personal butler assigned to you on arrival.
With temperatures in the low double figures, it's just about time for beach walks in Barceloneta
Barcelona, Spain
Average March temperature: 9–18°C
March is a great month to view Gaudí without pedestrian gridlock. The Sagrada Família is calmer, Park Güell is breathable, and La Rambla belongs more to locals than selfie sticks.
It’s also just about time for beach walks in Barceloneta, while the Boqueria market stalls will be full of seasonal local produce like artichokes, and famed Catalan green onions, ‘calçots’.
ON THE CHEAP: Hotel Allegro
Hotel Allegro is compact, contemporary and very well-priced for its position in a less boisterous part of the Eixample neighbourhood.
Rooms are smart and efficient, with retro colour hues of sage and blue. And while there’s not much in the way of other facilities, the breakfasts are generous with eggs, bacon and cheeses served up in a dining room that’s an unusual shade of fuchsia.
BLOW THE BUDGET: El Palace
Originally the Barcelona Ritz, today’s five-star El Palace has retained an old-school level of luxury with its new owners.
A short walk from Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s upmarket avenues, the hotel itself comprises chandeliers, silk wall coverings and vast, traditionally styled rooms.
The rooftop garden serves up gorgeous croquettes and cocktails, while the Bluesman bar features a painting donated by former hotel resident, Ronnie Wood.
And this is not the hotel’s only brush with celebrity – hang around long enough, and you’ll probably overhear someone discussing the time Salvador Dali ordered a taxidermied horse be delivered to his Palace room.
It can still be chilly in the German capital in March, but this does at least mean the city is quieter
Berlin, Germany
Average March temperature: 3–10°C
It can still be chilly in the German capital in March, but this does at least mean that Museum Island is quieter – and it’s easy to warm up in the city’s legendary clubs, in full swing after winter lulls.
The cold, clear days also make this an excellent month to delve deep into Berlin’s Cold War sites, linger in Kreuzberg cafés and maybe even cycle your way around the Tiergarten.
ON THE CHEAP: Hotel Amano, Berlin-Mitte
This is a stylish, design-forward boutique right in the middle of the trendy neighbourhood Mitte.
Bedrooms here are smartly laid out, with sleek, monochromatic décor, and there’s a roof terrace serving up belting cocktails for an evening’s visit.
Downstairs, the lobby area transforms into a bar after dark with an impressive choice of regional wines.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Hotel de Rome
Housed in a 19th-century former bank on the Bebelplatz, Hotel de Rome is one of Berlin’s most grand addresses.
Vaulted ceilings, oversized rooms and marble-heavy bathrooms underline its luxury credentials, while the lobby bar retains echoes of the building’s financial past.
Overlooking Museum Island, the spa is located in the old jewellery vault and offers steam rooms, saunas and a 20-metre heated pool.
As spring arrives in the Czech capital, the Charles Bridge regains its romance
Prague, Czech Republic
Average March temperature: 2–10°C
As spring arrives in the Czech capital, the Charles Bridge regains its romance – yet the queues are a lot shorter than in peak season in the Castle District.
Beer halls are cosy rather than cramped with noisy stag dos, and early blossoms soften Petrin Hill, which you should ascend before dipping into the hugely atmospheric Strahov Monastery.
ON THE CHEAP: The King Charles by Axxos Hotels
Set in a 17th-century Baroque palace near Prague Castle, The King Charles hums with period atmosphere.
The rooms feature painted ceilings – some even have stained glass windows – and it’s well worth exploring the public areas, where you’ll spot 19th-century frescos and stucco.
Breakfast is reasonable for the price, with more than enough cold cuts, pastries and coffees to set you up for a morning’s stroll around the hills.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Hotel U Prince Prague by BHG
Directly on the city’s Old Town Square, Hotel U Prince dates back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city – no mean feat for a place with such rich historic credentials.
The rooms mix traditional décor with modern comforts, featuring leather armchairs and parquet floors.
The rooftop bar Terasa U has some of the best views in the city, in direct view of the Astronomical Clock, while down in the basement, the Black Angel’s bar (a Top 10 Best Hotel Bars) is a good spot for a decent cocktail.
March is still cosy ‘hygge’ season in the Danish capital, but longer stretches of daylight are returning
Copenhagen, Denmark
Average March temperature: 2–8°C
March is still cosy ‘hygge’ season in the Danish capital, but longer stretches of daylight are returning.
Tivoli Gardens begins to stir around now, and it’s just about warm enough to spend more outdoor-orientated days cycling the lakes, before exploring Designmuseum Denmark and café-hopping around Vesterbro.
ON THE CHEAP: Steel House, Copenhagen
A hybrid between hostel and hotel, Steel House is industrial-chic and unusually well-equipped.
Formerly the home (appropriately) of the Danish Union of Metalworkers, it’s primarily a dorm-style hostel, but there are private rooms which are very small but feel comfortable if you pick one with a terrace.
Facilities are surprisingly varied, with a swimming pool and a games room, as well as a cinema room complete with daybeds for lounging.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Coco Hotel, Copenhagen
Part of the stylish Hotels & Co group, Coco brings Parisian brasserie flair to Vesterbro, a funky neighbourhood just a 20-minute walk from the centre.
The interiors here are softly chic with lots of abstract prints on the wall and Murano-style light fittings, and there’s a lovely, ivy-smothered courtyard.
Vesterbro itself is packed with independent vintage shops, cafes and wine bars.
Wawel Castle in Krakow... while still very chilly, the city is atmospheric and uncrowded in March
Kraków, Poland
Average March temperature: 1–9°C
While still very chilly, Krakow is atmospheric and uncrowded in March, and, on a clear day, it’s a marvel to see Wawel Castle without too many fellow visitors.
Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter, feels cosy in early spring, and day trips to Auschwitz or Wieliczka Salt Mine are easier to book.
The low prices for hotels and eating out also remain among Europe’s best for a culture-heavy city break.
ON THE CHEAP: Puro Hotels, Krakow Kazimierz
Puro delivers modern, tech-forward comfort in the historic Jewish neighbourhood of Kazimierz, just a short walk from the Old Town.
An area now packed with art studios and eateries, PURO mirrors this artistic revival with rooms that are exceptionally sleek for the price, with minimalist décor and paintings by local artists.
The downstairs coffee shop MAX do outstanding flat whites, cinnamon buns, and a breakfast shakshuka with eggs or tofu.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Hotel Copernicus, Krakow
A Relais & Châteaux property on Kanonicza Street, close to Wawel Castle, Copernicus occupies a Gothic townhouse dating back to the 1500s.
Rooms are suitably rustic, coming with wooden ceilings and stone walls. It’s worth splashing out on the Canon’s suite, which features a gorgeously restored fresco.
There’s a small spa in medieval cellars, a (tiny) swimming pool and a breakfast spread that contains enough smoked salmon, breads, eggs and pastries to keep you going until nightfall.
Monte Albán’s ruins are blissfully walkable in the cooler weather of March
Oaxaca, Mexico
Average March temperature: 12–28°C
March is dry season in Oaxaca: an ideal time to get to grips with the markets and sample the goods in the numerous mezcal distilleries.
Monte Albán’s ruins are blissfully walkable, while the cooler weather may improve your appetite for sampling the local mole, a slow-cooked sauce made with dried chiles and chocolate that dominates restaurant menus.
Grana B&B is a delightful, design-led guesthouse with calm, contemporary interiors overlooking Parque Labastia
ON THE CHEAP: Grana B&B
Grana B&B is a delightful, design-led guesthouse with calm, contemporary interiors overlooking Parque Labastia. Rooms are bright and airy, with natural materials and modern Mexican design touches.
Breakfast highlights local produce, and hosts offer tailored advice on markets, mezcalerías and galleries. Breakfast is unmissable for the stupendous hot chocolate, served alongside croissants, muffins and scones galore, best eaten on the alfresco patio.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Escondido Oaxaca Hotel
On a remote stretch of Pacific coastline near Puerto Escondido, this design hotel is minimalist and intentionally unplugged.
The concrete-and-thatch bungalows face the ocean, and textiles by local artists line the stone and wood walls.
Digital nomads adore the place, and although the hotel is right in the middle of historic downtown, you’ll be sorely tempted to spend at least one afternoon by the pool sipping a potent mezcal margarita or three.
March sees the first of the Washington DC’s famous cherry blossom begin to flower
Washington DC, US
Average March temperature: 5–15°C
March sees the first of the city’s famous cherry blossom begin to flower while the Smithsonian museums are still quiet and Capitol Hill tours are easier to book.
It’s ideal weather for cycling the National Mall, wandering Georgetown and even catching some early-season baseball at the Washington National’s stadium without sweltering humidity.
ON THE CHEAP: Hotel Hive
A micro-hotel concept in Foggy Bottom, Hotel Hive offers ultra-compact rooms that don’t feel claustrophobic, coming as they do with high ceilings and a lot of natural light.
There’s an on-site pizzeria run by local chain &pizza, which offers an array of toppings, from roasted corn to blue cheese.
Walk off the carbs with a stroll to the nearby Kennedy Center, or, if a stagger is all you can muster, the Lincoln Memorial is only ten minutes away on foot.
The spa at the Salamander DC, formerly the Mandarin Oriental, is one of DC’s best
BLOW THE BUDGET: Salamander DC
Formerly the Mandarin Oriental, luxury hotel Salamander occupies a grand waterfront site overlooking the Tidal Basin.
The rooms are spacious and refined, with pastel oil paintings, huge bathrooms and city or water views.
The spa is one of DC’s best, while the in-house restaurant Dogon serves a fabulous Afro-fusion menu where you can sample the likes of jerk 'shroom with skewered trumpet and tamarind, followed by coconut mussel curry with callaloo, rice and peas.
In March on the Canadian west coast it’s possible to ski in the morning and cycle Stanley Park in the afternoon
Vancouver, Canada
Average March temperature: 4–11°C
In March on the Canadian west coast it’s possible to ski in the morning and cycle Stanley Park in the afternoon.
Whistler is still in full snow and, with cherry blossoms blooming downtown, walking to the seawall makes for a glorious spring afternoon outdoors.
There’s prime wildlife spotting around Howe Sound too, with bald eagles, harbour seals and sea lions all in residence.
ON THE CHEAP: Exchange Hotel Vancouver
Set in the historic Stock Exchange building, this boutique hotel is primarily geared towards business travellers. That said, the rooms are far from anonymous, coming with high ceilings, artist-designed back walls and decent L’Occitane toiletries.
Rooms are modern and comfortable, with high ceilings in many categories and strong tech features.
The breakfast is nothing to write home about (machine coffee and a few pastries), but the in-house restaurant Hydra offers decent Med-influenced fare, and a raw bar where you can order a ‘seafood tower’ of lobster, prawn cocktail, octopus and local oysters.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Wedgewood Hotel & Spa
A European-style boutique favourite, the Wedgewood’s location is superb: you’re just across the street from the Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square in the city’s Downtown district.
Every one of the 83 rooms have balconies with superb views over the city, and there’s complimentary cruiser bike hire and a spa.
Michelin-recommended Bacchus also provides fine dining onsite, serving unctuous mains such as foie gras mousse terrine and truffled mushroom risotto amid Venetian style decor.
In downtown Havana, the vintage Chevrolets cruise the Malecón, the plazas are breezy rather than sticky, and you’ll hear live music spilling from courtyards into the early hours
Havana, Cuba
Average March temperature: 19–28°C
The midpoint of the dry season, March is approaching perfection in this corner of the Caribbean.
In downtown Havana, the vintage Chevrolets cruise the Malecón, the plazas are breezy rather than sticky, and you’ll hear live music spilling from courtyards into the early hours.
It’s ideal for beach days in Playas del Este, rum distillery visits and rooftop mojitos without hurricane-season rain or heat.
ON THE CHEAP: Malecon 663, Havana
A stylish, privately-run guesthouse overlooking the Malecón, Malecon 663 has only four rooms but offers contemporary Cuban design and personalised service.
The rooms are all unique; we particularly love the El Cuarto de Tula’s carnival theme, with huge stained glass windows.
There’s a whirlpool tub on the rooftop, and the Sunday brunches are legendary; resist the urge to explore the city for at least an hour so you can help yourself to the array of mini-lobster sandwiches, fruit juices and artisanal cheeses on offer.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Iberostar Grand Packard
Set back from the Malacon on Paseo del Prado, the Grand Packard is a beach resort in the heart of the city, combining contemporary architecture with colonial-era façades.
The slick white rooms are spacious and sleek, and come with some of the most powerful rainforest showers in Cuba.
There’s a very classy piano and cigar lounge while the spa is unique, offering a special ‘Cuban massage’ where the oils are mixed with rum.
March is harvest season in the wine-growing region of Mendoza, and the vineyards are buzzing
Mendoza, Argentina
Average March temperature: 14–27°C
Harvest season hits Mendoza in March. The vineyards are buzzing, grape-picking festivals pop up everywhere, and the local wine tastings are at their liveliest.
Taking a day hike up into the Andes delivers crystal clear skies, while cycling between the bodegas is a blissful way to work up an appetite for a colossal alfresco steak dinner on a balmy evening.
ON THE CHEAP: Casa Lila, Mendoza
In a peaceful, residential area of the city, this intimate guesthouse exudes wine-country calm.
Rooms here are comfortable rather than flashy, while the hosts specialise in arranging vineyard visits, tastings and private drivers to Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Awasi Mendoza
Set among vineyards in Luján de Cuyo, Awasi, owned by Relais and Châteaux, is one of Argentina’s most celebrated wine hotels. Individual casitas feature private plunge pools, writing desks and roll top baths with wine-infused salts.
The wine list is every bit as interesting and immense as you would expect, and you can even saddle up with the resident gaucho and ride on horseback to nearby vineyards.
Amber Fort is climbable if you set out in the early morning in Rajasthan's heat
Rajasthan (Jaipur & Udaipur), India
Average March temperature: 15–30°C
March can still get extremely toasty in Rajasthan – but be reassured that you’re far from experiencing the region at its most furnace-like.
Amber Fort is climbable if you set out in the early morning, the City Palace courtyards glow, and Lake Pichola boat rides are still pleasant.
The Hindu festival of Holi falls on March 4 this year, bringing waves of colour to the streets as locals and tourists alike throw paint powder, Gulal, in celebration of spring’s arrival.
ON THE CHEAP: Castle Khandela, Rajasthan
A restored 18th-century palace near Shekhawati, Castle Khandela offers heritage-style rooms filled with antique furniture, frescoed walls and family heirlooms.
The public spaces are akin to a museum in miniature, featuring family heirlooms curated by owner Dr. Raisal Singh, a descendent of the area’s former rulers, and a doctor who runs a free medical clinic.
The staff can arrange jeep tours into the countryside and Dr. Singh himself often leads birdwatching tours for guests.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Sujan The Serai, Rajasthan
On the edge of Ranthambore National Park, The Serai is a luxury camp where the vast canvas tents come with wooden floors, private gardens and outdoor bathtubs.
The pool, lined with candles and lanterns after dusk, looks spectacular, while staff are happy to arrange jeep rides further out into the desert for sundowners, or tours of local temples and textile markets.
Early spring is a particularly great time to visit vibrant Medellín
Medellín, Colombia
Average March temperature: 17–28°C
Early spring is a particularly great time to visit this vibrant Colombian city.
The cable car over the formerly dangerous, now vibrant and welcoming Comuna 13 offers lush views, while Medellin’s flower markets and café culture thrives (head to the El Poblado for the best caffeine in town).
It’s a perfect month for day trips to Guatapé’s El Peñol rock, and for evening outdoor dining before the heavier rains arrive.
ON THE CHEAP: Patio del Mundo, Medellin
A small, art-filled villa in El Poblado, Patio del Mundo has just seven individually decorated rooms, plus a private garden and terraces where you’ll find a jacuzzi.
Owned by a French couple, it’s well-placed for restaurants and nightlife, yet feels wonderfully removed from the more frenetic elements of the city bustle.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Elcielo Hotel Medellin
Linked to the acclaimed restaurant brand of the same name, this modern boutique hotel is in the heart of the leafy (and extremely safe) enclave of La Poblado.
The rooms are modern affairs, with marble floors and hard wood panelling, but the real draw is the restaurant, owned by Colombia’s most revered chef, Juan Manuel Barrientos.
Featuring hugely inventive flair dishes such as tuna on cuca, sun-dried beef and slices of cake soaked in liquor, the 18-course tasting menu here might just be the highlight of your trip to Medellin.
The Kuang Si waterfalls run with crystal clear waters
Luang Prabang, Laos
Average March temperature: 18–32°C
Dry, calm and spiritual, spending time in March in Laos’s most captivating city means serene days ambling around waterfalls like Kuang Si as they run crystal clear, before taking a cruise along the Mekong.
It’s a great month for temple-hopping and idly cycling between villages, before cooling off while watching the sun set over Mount Phousi.
ON THE CHEAP: The Apsara, Luang Prabang
A small boutique hotel in a colonial-era building overlooking the Khan River, the Apsara offers understated style with shimmering views.
The rooms are simple but characterful, with some featuring silk screens and antique baths. The terrace restaurant is popular for sunset dining, and if you breakfast here too you may well see groups of orange-robed monks walking past.
It’s well-located for temples, markets and riverside walks, service is relaxed and personal, and there are complimentary bikes available for hire if you fancy pedalling past the rice plots into the old town.
BLOW THE BUDGET: Sofitel Luang Prabang
Housed in a former French governor’s residence, this Sofitel is a low-rise luxury resort, set in manicured gardens just outside the old town.
It’s worth paying extra for one of the suites with a private plunge pool here, but all the rooms have private back gardens, high ceilings and four-poster beds.
The in-house Governor’s Grill offers up superb local dishes such as Lao red duck curry with mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves and coconut milk.
March is close to late-summer perfection in Oz’s largest city
Sydney, Australia
Average March temperature: 18–25°C
March is close to late-summer perfection in Oz’s largest city. It’s just about cool enough to make a Bondi to Coogee coastal walk pleasurable if you rise early, the Sydney harbour cruises are glorious, and the beaches are absent of the school-holiday crowds.
If you have a head for heights you can climb the Harbour Bridge, before deservedly unwinding by dining al fresco in Surry Hills.
ON THE CHEAP: The Ultimo
A heritage-listed building near Darling Harbour and Chinatown, The Ultimo markets itself as the world’s first astrology hotel.
Right in the centre of Sydney’s Chinatown, not everyone will opt for the ‘Star Package’ where guests receive the personalised star chart and moon calendar on arrival, but whether you care not for Cancer or Capricorn, there’s plenty to enjoy here.
Upgrade to an Ultimo Terrace room on the rooftop to enjoy great city views and a private courtyard all to yourself.
Capella's interiors blend heritage architecture with contemporary Australian paintings in a Baroque-meets-bohemian atmosphere
BLOW THE BUDGET: Capella
Right next to the Royal Botanic Gardens and set in a grand former government building, Capella Sydney is one of the city’s most luxurious recent accommodation arrivals.
The interiors blend heritage architecture with contemporary Australian paintings in a Baroque-meets-bohemian atmosphere.
The best rooms are the Prestige suites, which have floor to ceiling windows, while the Capella Suite offers direct views of the harbour from your bed.
An oryx wanders across the Deadvlei in the Sossusvlei desert of Namibia
Namibia (Sossusvlei & Etosha)
Average March temperature: 18–32°C
Green season in Namibia means the desert dunes are glowing after the summer rains, Etosha’s skies are clear for stargazing, and the animal life is outstanding.
Take a safari at this time of year and you stand an excellent chance of spotting elephants, giraffes, springbok, oryx and maybe some lion cubs, who will have only been born a month or two ago at the peak of birthing season.
ON THE CHEAP: Lion’s Den Guesthouse, Namibia
There’s not much in the way of budget accommodation in Namibia - particularly if you want a safari experience – but the Lion’s Den is worth knowing about if you’re on a road trip.
This is a small, friendly guesthouse in the tiny town of Otjiwarongo that’s mostly used as a base for desert travel with simple rooms but very sociable public areas. It’s an ideal stop off on the drive between the capital Windhoek and Etosha, in the north of the country
BLOW THE BUDGET: Ongava Lodge, Etosha National Park
Set on a private reserve bordering Etosha National Park, Ongava Lodge is blisteringly expensive but offers one of the best safari experiences in Southern Africa.
The thatched cabins overlook a busy waterhole which, come late afternoon, is visited by thirsty lions and rhinos.
When the animals have trotted off to explore the rest of this 74,000-acre private reserve, you can relax with an oryx steak (yes really) cooked on the braai (local parlance for BBQ), while sipping on a superb bottle of South African red from the wine cellar.
