High Season(High season)
High season is the peak travel period when demand and prices are at their highest. In East Africa, high season typically runs from July to October (dry season, Great Migration) and December to February (short dry season).
During high season, lodge rates increase significantly — often 40-80% above low-season rates. Availability is tighter, popular properties book out months in advance, and clients need to plan well ahead. High season coincides with the best wildlife viewing conditions: dry weather concentrates animals around water sources.
For operators, high season means higher revenue per trip but also higher costs and more competition for availability. Accurate, up-to-date seasonal pricing is essential to avoid quoting outdated rates or losing margin.
How Ratiba helps
Ratiba stores seasonal rate periods and automatically applies the correct high-season rates when an operator builds an itinerary for peak-season dates.
Related terms
Low Season
Low season (also called green season) is the off-peak period when travel demand drops and accommodation rates are at their lowest. In East Africa, low season typically runs from March to May during the long rains.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season is the transitional period between high and low season, offering moderate rates and decent conditions. In East Africa, shoulder season typically falls in June and November.
Great Migration
The Great Migration is the annual circular movement of over 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. It is one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles and a major driver of East African safari tourism.
Rack Rate
The rack rate is the published, full-price rate for an accommodation — before any trade discounts, commissions, or special offers are applied. It is the "retail" price that a walk-in guest or direct booker would pay.
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