Where to go in July

Will July be the month you add a new travel experience to your memory book?

Still wondering about the best place to go in July?

There are numerous fantastic destinations worth visiting in July. We’ve put together 10 of them below.

Not looking for July after all? Then see where you should travel in June.

Tanzania and Zanzibar – From savannahs to sandy shores

In July, we’re in the heart of the dry season in Tanzania. The weather is warm, the humidity is low, and rain is rare.

As the dry season progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for the animals to find water. You’ll notice animals gathering around the few remaining waterholes, making them easier to spot.

July is one of the best times to witness one of the world’s most spectacular natural phenomena – the Great Migration. During this period, animals congregate around our wild camps in the north-western Serengeti. On some of our tours, you can even drive to the Mara River and witness the dramatic river crossing to the Masai Mara.

Moreover, July is an excellent time to combine Tanzania and Zanzibar, when the weather is warm and dry on the tropical isle. In fact, July is considered by many to be one of the best months to visit Zanzibar.

3 reasons to visit Tanzania and Zanzibar in July

• Dry season with warm weather and minimal rain
• Easier to spot animals and witness the Great Migration at the Mara River
• Perfect time to end a safari in Tanzania with a beach holiday in Zanzibar

Ecuador – Volcanoes, hikes, and wildlife

July marks the dry season in most of Ecuador.

In the Andes Mountains, where the capital Quito is situated, the weather is mild with spring-like temperatures. This pleasant climate makes it ideal to explore the stunning mountain landscapes, for instance, in Cotopaxi National Park, where you can see fascinating volcanoes, including the iconic Cotopaxi volcano.

In the Amazon rainforest, it’s warm and rainy year-round, but July is one of the months most likely to be dry, making it a popular time to explore the vibrant jungle and its exotic wildlife and plant species.

July marks the start of the dry season in the Galápagos Islands, where temperatures are comfortable and the sun shines from a clear sky. It’s the perfect time to experience the islands’ unique wildlife. In July, the blue-footed boobies are nesting, and the Galápagos tortoises begin their migration from the lowlands back to the highlands of Santa Cruz.

3 reasons to visit Ecuador in July

• Mild weather in Quito and the Andes
• Less rain in the Amazon
• Opportunity to see the blue-footed boobies nesting or the Galápagos tortoise migration

Malaysia and Borneo – City life, paradise beaches, and rainforest adventures

Travelling to Malaysia in July is popular, as the weather is dry across most of the country, including the mainland.

Experience, for example, the diverse neighbourhoods of Kuala Lumpur, such as Chinatown and Little India, or explore more modern attractions like the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world.

July is one of the hottest months of the year, making it ideal to combine your trip with a few relaxing days on the beaches of Malaysia’s tropical islands. Visit Langkawi, for instance, which offers pristine white beaches, charming promenades, and stunning landscapes.

If you travel to Malaysia in July, you can experience UNESCO World Heritage Day in the colonial town of Georgetown, Penang, celebrated on the 7^th of July every year. It was on this day in 2008 that the town was listed on the UNESCO world heritage list. The day is celebrated with cultural festivities and local traditions.

No tour to Malaysia is complete without experiencing the lush, green landscapes – and July is the perfect time to venture to Borneo, where the weather is warm and relatively dry. Sail down the Kinabatangan River, explore the beautiful national parks, and encounter the fascinating Malaysian wildlife, such as the endearing proboscis monkeys.

3 reasons to visit Malaysia and Borneo in July

• Dry season in most of the country with warm weather and less rain
• A great time for a beach holiday, e.g., on Langkawi
• Ideal weather to experience Borneo’s stunning nature and wildlife

Madagascar – Extraordinary wildlife

Visiting Madagascar in July is quite popular – right in the middle of the island’s dry season, which is also the country’s winter.

It’s generally dry with very little rain, and the temperatures are more comfortable for exploring wildlife and scenic landscapes than they are in the rainy season.

The mild weather offers perfect conditions to explore Madagascar’s magical rainforests, such as in Andasibe-Mantadia or Ranomafana, where you can encounter the island’s famous lemurs in their natural habitat.

In July, it’s also the season for humpback whales, which you might be lucky enough to see in large groups off the coasts of Sainte Marie, Nosy Be, and Anakao. This period is when they arrive in Madagascar’s warm sea currents to breed and raise their calves.

3 reasons to visit Madagascar in July

• Dry season with very little rain
• Pleasant temperatures for exploring the country’s national parks
• Opportunity to see humpback whales along the coasts

Bali – Temples and turquoise seas

If you’re dreaming of exploring Bali in dry weather with plenty of sunshine, July is a perfect time to visit. It’s right in the middle of Bali’s dry season.

The dry weather is ideal for experiencing Bali’s many attractions. You can, for instance, visit some of the island’s beautiful temples – many of which are set against stunning backgrounds, such as the Besakih Temple, spectacularly located on the slopes of Mount Agung. It’s also a great time for short hikes, where you can explore the beautiful landscapes with rice terraces and waterfalls. The lovely weather is also perfect for discovering Bali’s charming towns like Ubud or Munduk.

Moreover, July is one of the best months of the year for snorkelling, e.g., around Menjangan Island, due to the excellent water visibility.

3 reasons to visit Bali in July

• Plenty of sunshine and dry weather
• Great weather for exploring temples, nature, or cities
• Amazing snorkelling with high visibility

Kenya – Safari in the sunshine

In July, the dry season is in full swing in Kenya, meaning warm weather and very little rain. The month is one of the coldest of the year, and while daytime temperatures are warm, it can be cool in the mornings and evenings.

July is a fantastic month for a safari in Kenya, where the sun shines and the savannah teems with wildlife. In both Amboseli and Masai Mara, the dry and sunny weather allows for hours of spotting the Big Five. As the dry season progresses, the vegetation becomes sparser, making it harder for the animals to hide. In Amboseli, enjoy the sight of elephants with Mount Kilimanjaro as a majestic backdrop, and at Lake Naivasha, see hippos in large numbers under blue skies.

One of July’s major highlights in Kenya is the Great Migration. While the migration happens year-round, from July (through around October), you can witness millions of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River in a spectacular journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya’s Masai Mara in search of lush grass.

3 reasons to visit Kenya in July

• Dry season with very little rain and warm temperatures
• Easier to spot wildlife due to less rain and sparser vegetation
• Chance to witness the Mara River crossing during the Great Migration

Sri Lanka – Plenty of sunshine and elephants

Sri Lanka is a perfect travel destination in July, with pleasant temperatures across the island.

The sun-drenched northern and eastern coasts invite you to unwind on the golden shores, for instance, at Trincomalee, where the azure sea provides the perfect finish to your adventurous days.

It’s also warm in central Sri Lanka, for example, at the iconic Lion Rock, Sigiriya, which you can visit under sunny and dry conditions.

Additionally, July is considered one of the prime times to visit Minneriya National Park in central Sri Lanka, where the phenomenon ‘The Elephant Gathering’ occurs. Here, large herds of elephants trek to the park’s expansive lake, the Minneriya Tank, in search of water.

3 reasons to visit Sri Lanka in July

• Pleasant and warm weather across the island
• Ideal for a beach holiday at Trincomalee
• Chance to witness ‘The Elephant Gathering’ in Minneriya National Park

Botswana – Nature’s wonders

In Botswana, it’s winter in July, but not as we know it at home. Daytime temperatures are pleasant, reaching 25-27 degrees on average, and there’s hardly any rain.

July is one of the best months to visit the lush Okavango Delta, where water levels are at their highest. This brings the animals flocking, and you might be lucky enough to spot large groups of elephants.

If you visit Botswana in July, it’s a great idea to combine it with a tour to Cape Town in South Africa and the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zambia.

It is winter in Cape Town, but you can enjoy plenty of lovely sunny days. Additionally, winter is also one of the best times for whale watching in South Africa, when southern right whales arrive in South African waters. In July, Victoria Falls also boasts a strong water flow, and the air is mild and clear.

3 reasons to visit Botswana in July

• Mild weather with warm temperatures
• High water levels in the Okavango Delta, attracting more wildlife
• Perfect time to combine your trip with a visit to Cape Town and Victoria Falls

Peru – Clear weather in the land of the Incas

July is a wonderful time to visit most parts of Peru.

Along Peru’s coast and in the capital, Lima, the weather is mild in July, although nights can be chilly. Lima may even be shrouded in its characteristic mist, Garúa. On July 28-29, you can experience the celebrations of Peru’s independence from Spain in 1821, marked by festivities across the country, including a major military parade in Lima.

In the country’s mountainous and highland regions, July falls in the dry season, where you can expect clear and warm weather during the day (with cold evenings and nights). The month is among the best times to experience the legendary Machu Picchu and charming Cusco, where the sun often casts a magical glow over the ancient Inca ruins.

July is also an excellent time to embark on the Inca Trail, where the paths are dry and easier to traverse, unlike February, when the trail closes due to adverse weather conditions.

The Amazon rainforest experiences nearly the same weather conditions all year round, but July is one of the months with the highest chance of dry weather. While there are no guarantees, even in rainy weather, the Amazon is a remarkable place to visit.

3 reasons to visit Peru in July

• Mild weather in Lima and along the coast
• A great time to visit Machu Picchu, Cusco, or take the Inca trek with clear and sunny weather
• Higher likelihood of dry weather in the Amazon

USA – Summer vibes in the states

In July, it’s summertime across most of the USA. Weather-wise, summer can mean different things in this vast country that spans various climatic zones.

On the northern East Coast, where major cities like New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia are located, temperatures are warm and the weather is sunny in July. You can cool off in the cities’ many museums, shopping centres, or other indoor attractions, or enjoy the warm summer weather in New York City’s many iconic parks, for instance.

July is perfect for a road trip in California, where you can drive along the iconic Highway 1, savour a stunning sunset over the Pacific Ocean, and experience the legendary cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco in glorious summer weather.

3 reasons to visit the USA in July

• Summer weather
• Warm temperatures in iconic cities like New York City and Boston
• Ideal weather for a beach holiday in California

What are the best destinations in July?

Whether you dream of experiencing wildlife on an African safari, exploring Asia’s paradise beaches, or being amazed by South America’s magnificent landscapes, July is a fantastic month to travel.

With sunny days and unforgettable nature experiences, it’s the perfect time for an adventure.

Still unsure where to travel in July? Our experienced travel specialists are ready to help you find the perfect tour.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller