Wildlife Experience Index · v6
How We ScoreThe Wild
Every SafariDex score is built from six independently weighted scoring factors — no paid placements, no affiliate rankings, no hidden commercial weighting. Here's exactly how it works.
What is WEI?
A monthly score,
not a static ranking
The Wildlife Experience Index (WEI) rates each safari destination independently for every calendar month on a scale of 0–100. Unlike annual rankings that obscure seasonal reality, WEI lets you compare February in Serengeti with October in Serengeti using the same scoring frame.
Six factors are scored and combined with different weights depending on the destination archetype. A marine destination weighs current patterns and whale breeding windows differently from a savanna destination that follows the dry-season wildlife concentration cycle.
Serengeti NP — WEI by month (example snapshot, 2026-06-14)
Scoring Factors
Six factors, three weight classes. Primary factors dominate the score; supporting factors fine-tune it.
Encounter Probability
How likely is a sighting per day in the field? We model species density, foraging patterns and documented sighting patterns from published research, park reports and multi-year trip records.
Species Visibility
Dense bush and tall grass cut encounter quality dramatically. We weight open savanna, riverine terrain and marine environments higher than closed canopy forest for equivalent encounter rates.
Weather & Conditions
Dry season concentrates wildlife around water sources and thins vegetation. Heavy rain reduces visibility, makes tracks impassable and disperses animals. Each month is scored for its typical conditions.
Crowd Levels
High visitor density can disrupt animal behaviour and degrade the experience. Peak tourist months receive a crowd penalty based on published seasonality, access pressure and visitor-volume signals where available.
Site Accessibility
Impassable roads, permit bottlenecks and logistical barriers reduce a destination's real-world score even if animals are present. We factor in seasonal road conditions and access constraints.
Seasonal Timing
Migration events, calving seasons and breeding windows are scored with event bonuses. A month that coincides with the Great Migration river crossing or whale breeding receives a significant uplift.
Score Bands
Exceptional conditions. Encounter probability is at its annual high, weather is optimal and seasonal events (migrations, calving, breeding) are in full swing. Book months ahead.
Traveller tip: This is your go-to window. Prices are high — but so is everything else.
Strong conditions with reliable sightings. Wildlife is active, weather is manageable and crowds are typically moderate. Excellent value compared to peak months.
Traveller tip: Often the sweet spot — great sightings without the peak-season premium.
Sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Animals may be dispersed after rains, vegetation dense, or roads challenging. Experienced travellers can still have excellent trips.
Traveller tip: Good for budget travel or combining with nearby peak-season destinations.
Difficult conditions — extreme wet season flooding, road closures or park closures are common. Some specialist destinations (Okavango boat safaris) invert this and peak when dry parks are low.
Traveller tip: Avoid unless you have specialist knowledge or a specific reason to visit.
ParkScore
Year-round quality,
not just a peak flash
Monthly WEI scores answer "when to visit" — but travellers also need to know "which destination is consistently best." ParkScore condenses all 12 monthly WEI values into a single comparable number that rewards destinations which are reliable across the year, not just spectacular for one month.
A destination with WEI scores of 80 across all 12 months outranks one that peaks at 95 in August but drops to 30 in the off-season — because most travellers can't always pick the perfect month.
What goes into ParkScore
Data Integrity
No Paid Placements
No destination can pay to improve its ranking. Every score is derived from published research, park reports and multi-year trip records.
No Affiliate Rankings
Rankings are never influenced by commercial relationships. Clearly disclosed affiliate links may appear after our analysis — partners have no input into scores.
Source-Driven
Scores are built from published ecology research, official park reports and multi-year trip records.
Annually Updated
WEI scores are reviewed annually and updated when significant ecological or climate changes occur.
Disclosure: SafariDex earns through clearly disclosed affiliate links placed after our analysis. No partner arrangement influences WEI or ParkScore values, and a destination's score does not change whether or not a booking partner covers it. Read full disclosure →
Common Questions
Why doesn't SafariDex show a single "best destination"?expand_more
Because there isn't one. The answer depends on which month you travel, which species you prioritise and your tolerance for crowds and logistics. WEI lets you make that comparison yourself — month by month, destination by destination.
Can I trust WEI if I'm visiting in the off-season?expand_more
Yes — that's exactly what WEI is for. An off-season WEI of 55 (Moderate) still tells you conditions are manageable, sightings are possible and you'll likely save significantly on accommodation.
How often are scores updated?expand_more
Scores are reviewed annually. Significant ecological events (new migration routes, drought, reintroductions) can trigger out-of-cycle updates. Version number in the header tracks major scoring model changes.
Does WEI account for safety?expand_more
No. WEI scores wildlife encounter quality only. For travel advisories, political stability and health risks, always check your government's official travel guidance before booking.