September is a brilliant month to travel. The school holidays have ended, prices start to ease, and in a lot of places, you’re getting peak conditions without the peak crowds. It’s a month that rewards a bit of flexibility, especially if you’re not tied to specific dates.For many of our Destination Managers, it’s actually their favourite time of year for a holiday. Read on below to find out more about the places that our experts personally recommend for September.If any of these destinations jump out at you, chat to one of our experts, and they’ll give you the full rundown.
These are our top picks on where to go in September
Taken by Paul, Helmcken Falls, Wells Gray Provincial Park.
Why Canada in September?
If we had to pick one standout destination for September, Canada would be right up there.As our Canada expert, Paul, puts it, “September doesn’t compromise on anything.” And he’s right. You’ve still got that late-summer warmth, but with far fewer people on the roads, trails, and in the national parks.Out west, this is when things get particularly interesting. The salmon run kicks off, which means grizzly bears start gathering along rivers, especially in places like Vancouver Island and the Great Bear Rainforest. It’s one of the most memorable wildlife experiences you can have, and September is the moment it really comes alive.At the same time, the Rockies are still fully accessible. You’ve got clear days for hiking, waterfalls in full flow, and that slight crispness in the air that makes being outside feel even better.Places like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake feel calmer. Trails through Kootenay are quieter. And if you set off early (Paul’s top tip), you’ll often have entire viewpoints to yourself.It’s a rare window where everything lines up: wildlife, weather, space. which is why we rate it so highly.
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September doesn’t compromise on anything.
PaulHA Destination Manager, Canada
”
Family of orangutans in Borneo
What is September like in Borneo?
September is Erin’s favourite, best value month to visit Malaysia.We love designing Borneo trips in September.You’re getting the same conditions as July and August. Those warm temperatures, great wildlife sightings, and really good sea conditions for snorkelling, but all without the school holiday crowds or price spikes.In Sabah, this is a great time to head into the rainforest. Along the Kinabatangan River, boat safaris offer the chance to spot orangutans, pygmy elephants, and proboscis monkeys, often in the early morning or late afternoon light.It’s also an excellent time to combine the jungle with the coast. Around the islands off Kota Kinabalu, the sea is typically calm and clear, ideal for snorkelling through coral gardens and tropical fish.What's different about Borneo in September is the pace. The lodges feel quieter, river cruises feel more personal, and the whole experience becomes a bit more immersive.If you’re not tied to summer travel, this is how Erin, our expert, would choose to experience Borneo. (Especially for the first time!)
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The Kinabatangan River will always hold a special place in my heart – and dare I say it remains firmly my favourite place in Borneo. The diversity of the wildlife here is unrivalled!
ErinHA Destination Manager, Borneo
”
Giraffe on safari in South Africa
September is a really well-balanced month in South Africa.In the Greater Kruger area, the dry season is still in full swing, which means wildlife gathers around waterholes and game drives are consistently rewarding. Early mornings out in the bush, following tracks, watching elephants and big cats in that orange light, it’s classic safari, without the peak-season intensity.At the same time, the Cape starts to come into its own. Spring arrives in the Winelands, bringing greener landscapes and a softer feel to places like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.You can move between regions without it feeling rushed, which is always the way we recommend. Spend a few days on safari, before heading down to Cape Town for coastlines, food, and wine. Or flip them around! As always, your holiday is yours alone, so your HA expert will tweak and tinker until it's perfect.
Rebecca, Passikudah Beach on the East Coast of Sri Lanka.
Rebecca's favourite month to visit Sri Lanka.
September is one of our Sri Lanka experts, Rebecca's favourite month, which says a lot.It’s a slightly more under-the-radar time to visit, but that’s part of the appeal. You can still build a really varied itinerary, and some standout experiences are particularly good at this time of year.This is a great month for spotting sloth bears, especially along the South East coast in Yala, and in the national park of Wilpattu in the North West. This is thanks to the dry arid landscape where the Palu tree can thrive, and the sloth bears can feast on plenty of their favourite food.Moreover, over on the East Coast, places like Trincomalee are at their best, and it's a peak time to spot dolphins and whales off the coast. Long stretches of quiet beach, warm seas, and excellent conditions for snorkelling around Pigeon Island (a must-visit if you have the time!).Inland, you've got climbing Sigiriya Rock early in the morning, before the heat builds, wandering through temple caves in Dambulla, or heading out on safari in places like Wilpattu, where sightings will also include elephants, crocodiles, and even leopards.This is what we mean by how varied the days feel. You can go from a sunrise climb to a village lunch with some wonderful locals, to a slow evening by the water, all in the same day.Some of Rebecca's favourite Sri Lanka holidays she's ever designed have been in September. Get in touch today to see if your adventure could be added to the list!
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[content] => “If you're in Sri Lanka in September, it's one of the best times of year to experience a seriously impressive wildlife phenomenon. Hundreds of elephants gather and move through Minneriya National Park in the Cultural Triangle, and they can be seen in huge numbers! I've been lucky enough to experience it a couple of times, and I'll never forget it.”
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“If you're in Sri Lanka in September, it's one of the best times of year to experience a seriously impressive wildlife phenomenon. Hundreds of elephants gather and move through Minneriya National Park in the Cultural Triangle, and they can be seen in huge numbers! I've been lucky enough to experience it a couple of times, and I'll never forget it.”
RebeccaHA Destination Manager, Sri Lanka
”
Diving in the Galápagos
September is a fantastic time to visit the Galápagos, particularly if you're looking for those unforgettable wildlife encounters.The cooler Humboldt Current brings nutrient-rich waters, which means incredible marine life. Snorkelling will often treat you to sightings of rays, sea lions and turtles! With the chance to see torpedo-like Galápagos penguins darting through the water in pursuit of small fish.On land, the wildlife activity is just as exciting. Head to islands like Mosquera, Española and Bartolomé, where colonies of chattering seabirds gather at their nesting sites, and sea lions are particularly animated, with males frequently competing for mating rights along the shores.Despite it being the peak of the cooler season, with air temperatures sitting around 19°C, the wildlife feels at its most alive during September. You can get surprisingly close, whether it’s blue-footed boobies nesting or marine iguanas basking on the rocks.
Zanzibar City, Tanzania.
What is September like in Zanzibar?
If your idea of a perfect September getaway is slowing down a bit, Zanzibar fits the bill beautifully.The main summer holiday crowds have gone, the weather is nice and settled, and the island settles into a much calmer rhythm of life.Along the east coast, around places like Matemwe or Paje, beaches stretch out almost empty at certain times of day. Mornings are for swimming or snorkelling, afternoons drift into long lunches, and evenings are best spent walking along the shoreline as the tide moves out. Stone Town adds a different layer to any Zanzibar holiday, wandering through carved doorways, shaded streets, and hidden courtyards. Plus, in September, you get to soak up the atmosphere without the intensity of peak-season crowds.Zanzibar works particularly well at the end of a Tanzanian safari. That shift from early mornings in the bush to complete stillness by the sea feels even more pronounced in September. It's a great holiday combo!
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"The North East coast is known for offering far less crowded experiences than the South, with just the odd traditional fishing village, here and there".
Catherine WilliamsHA Destination Manager, Zanzibar.
”
Church of the Society of Jesus in Cuzco.
Why is Peru best in September?
September in Peru has a completely different feel from the peak summer months.The big crowds have thinned out, but conditions are still really good across much of the country. It’s quieter, a bit calmer, and generally easier to move around.Around Cusco and the Sacred Valley, you can explore at a slower pace. Markets feel less hectic, ruins like Ollantaytambo are quieter, and there’s more space to take things in properly.For those heading to Machu Picchu, earlier starts still pay off, but you’re more likely to find those quieter moments once you’re there.It’s also a great time to layer in different experiences. A few days in the Sacred Valley, time in Cusco, maybe even heading further afield to places like Lake Titicaca or the Amazon.Our expert Dawn particularly favours September for travellers without children. Landscapes still hold their colour, but the air feels lighter and less humid.
Namibia at the end of the dry season
September, a stand-out month for Namibia.
September is one of the best months for wildlife in Namibia.As our expert, Kirsty always says, "September is an absolutely standout month to experience the best of Namibia". It’s the end of the dry season, so animals can be seen gathering around waterholes, particularly in Etosha, which makes sightings far more consistent. You can spend time taking it all in, watching elephants, giraffes, and antelopes come and go, often all from the same spot.The landscapes are drier and more stripped back by this point of the year, but that’s part of what makes places like Sossusvlei feel so dramatic. The iconic, big open horizons, dusty tracks, and that vast sense of space that Namibia is so known for.It’s also a good time to travel from a value perspective. You’re still in a prime safari window, but without the same demand you’d see at other times. It’s a month that would suit you if you appreciate space, silence, and that sense of being somewhere completely different.
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I love September in Nambia. It's a standout month to visit, especially if you're keen to see as much wildlife as possible.
KirstyHA Destination Manager, Namibia
”
Bwindi National Park, baby gorilla in the trees.
Why September is the best time to see Uganda
September is a great time for gorilla trekking in Uganda.Conditions are generally good for adventuring through the forests of Bwindi, and the experience itself is something that’s hard to put into words. When you're sitting quietly, and a gorilla family moves around you, going about their day. It's an unforgettable honour that we think is pretty tough to beat.An hour spent observing these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is, quite simply, one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences anywhere. (Just ask our Uganda expert, Cat!)But Uganda isn't just about the gorillas.It's one of the best birding destinations in the world, with more than 1,000 species found across its varied landscapes, from dense forests to open savannah. We also recommend making time for a transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see the magnificent rhino.In many of these same habitats, you’ll also find chimpanzees, other primates, and a huge diversity of wildlife, from large mammals to smaller, often overlooked species.Tracking a chimpanzee family through Kibale Forest, or heading out on a boat along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, adds another layer to the experience, each day offering something completely different.It’s immersive, rich in biodiversity, and ideal for those who want a deeper, more rounded connection to the natural world.
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If you are an all-round nature lover and would like to see birds along with other wildlife, this could be the safari for you.
Catherine DalyHA Destination Manager, Uganda
”
All round, September is a great month for travel. Many destinations are thriving, with wildlife active, landscapes at their best, and often more space and peace to experience it all.If you're open to where works well when, rather than fixed ideas, it can open up some incredibly rewarding experiences.If you're thinking of a September trip, have a chat with one of our destination experts, they can help shape something that's right for you.
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