Where’s hot in October? It’s the question that floats into many minds as the summer months come to a close and the first inklings of winter start to make an appearance. It’s the perfect time to jet off to the lands that the sun hasn’t quite turned its back on and extend your summer that much longer. “And where might this sunny October getaway take me?” we hear you ask. The answer? To countless gems across the continents that are lucky enough to feel the warming rays of the sun as the autumn season kicks off. A post-summer getaway can take you everywhere from the baking savannahs of Botswana and the golden deserts of Egypt, to the isolated islands of the Seychelles and the luxurious beach clubs of Dubai. So sit back, relax and let your mind escape to sunnier pastures as we take you on an adventure under the October sun.
- The Cool Mediterranean Coast: Cyprus and Greece
- The Jewels of the Arabian Gulf: Oman and the UAE
- The Southern African Savannah: Botswana and South Africa
- The Cultural Capitals of North Africa: Morocco and Egypt
- The Islands of the Indian Ocean: Mauritius and the Seychelles
The Cool Mediterranean Coast: Cyprus and Greece
For Oceanside Lounging Without the Crowds
The shoulder season of autumn is the perfect time to jet off to Cyprus or the Greek Islands: the weather is pleasantly warm, with daily highs hovering between 25°C and 30°C, and the glistening azure waters are about as warm as they’ll get. This is the time for oceanside lounging in some of our favourite coastal resorts – we’re talking architecturally-impressive hotels in the city of Paphos, Cyprus, or charmingly-quaint boutique hotels in the secret islands of the Cyclades, Greece. And the best part? With its world-famous cuisine and beautiful neolithic sites, a sun-drenched Mediterranean escape can cater to both sun-worshipers and culture-buffs alike.
The Jewels of the Arabian Gulf: Oman and the UAE
For an Urban Adventure in the Sun-Drenched Desert
Keen for a sunny city break with nature still at your fingertips? The Arabian Gulf is the place to be. With temperatures cooling down to average daily highs of around 35°C (considered nice and balmy in the gulf), October is the month that sees locals climb out of their summertime hibernation to enjoy life outdoors once again. Cities like Dubai and Muscat come alive with glamorous beach clubs, luxurious souqs and bustling marinas filled to the brim with beautiful yachts. When you’re ready to answer the call of the wild, we can have our top local guides whisk you off into the golden dunes of the Arabian desert for some serious adventure. The Dubai Desert is a place for leisure-lovers and thrill-seekers alike, with camel rides and spa treatments as much on the agenda as dune bashing and wildlife safaris. The sandy surrounds of Muscat, for their part, are all about ancient cultures – think peaceful walks under the shady palms of date plantations, refreshing dips in natural springs and stargazing from a traditional sand camp.
The Southern African Savannah: Botswana and South Africa
For Big Game Drives Under the Infamous African Sun
If your dream answer to “where’s hot in October?” involves some serious heat, then Botswana is hard to beat. Temperatures on the savannah tend to sit around a toasty 35°C but can soar as high 45°C – so make sure to pack your finest safari-ready outfits and wide-brim hats. Despite the heat, October is one of the most popular times for big game safaris, as marvellous creatures like elephants, giraffes and zebras tend to congregate around water pools, making them easier to spot with the help of our talented local guides. For more comfortable temperatures of around 25°C, head down to South Africa. This is another great spot (and time) for big game safaris, as well as bespoke wine tastings in the Western Cape, whale watching on the Cape Peninsula (keep an eye out for migrating humpback whales) and beach-hopping along the idyllic Garden Route, a 165-mile coastal road between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay.
The Cultural Capitals of North Africa: Morocco and Egypt
For Sightseeing in Balmy Temperatures
Carved straight out of the desert like a hot knife through butter, the scintillating cities of Northern Africa – like Marrakech and Casablanca in Morocco, or Cairo and Aswan in Egypt – offer a symphony for the senses at just about any time of year. That said, to best enjoy the timeless temples, ancient forts and sumptuous souqs, it’s best to avoid the scorching summer – that means travelling in October, a month in which temperatures rarely climb above 30°C throughout the region, instead hovering around a pleasant 25°C. Our team of experts can personalise your itinerary to include some magical experiences in the sun – be that trotting though the Atlas Mountains of Morocco atop a camel, soaking in some Vitamin D from the rooftop terrace of our 19th-century steamer, the Steam Ship Sudan, as you drift down the River Nile or meandering through the immensely-impressive Pyramids of Giza with one of our top local guides.
The Islands of the Indian Ocean: Mauritius and the Seychelles
For Some Serious Robinson Crusoe Relaxation and Adventure
Our final answer to where’s hot in October takes us to the tranquil shores of some of our favourite islands in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean: Mauritius and the Seychelles, both of which enjoy some of their finest weather in October. Average daily highs hover around 28°C, rainfall is limited, and the winds are kept at bay, making it the perfect time for beach frolicking and outdoorsy adventures alike. The main island of Mauritius is certainly the larger of the two archipelagos, with plenty of different landscapes. We can arrange hikes through colourful flora to clandestine waterfalls, visits to fruit farm plantations to sample local delicacies and nights spent on a private island just off the mainland. The Seychelles, in turn, are made up of around 150 small islands, so life is naturally more focused around the sea – think tracking turtles with a local conservation team, paddle boarding around tiny private islands and, of course, plenty of time spent lounging on some of the archipelago’s most paradisiacal beaches.
Header Image: Olivier Romano