When is the Best Time to Go to Tanzania?
The greatest time to go on a safari in Tanzania is during the dry season, which runs from late June to October. Tanzania has two different rainy seasons: April-May (the ‘long rains’) and November-December (the’short rains’). In general, the country’s ‘long rains’ cause tropical downpours in the afternoons, prompting several safari sites to close. The’short rains’ provide the occasional brief rainfall.
Most safari sites in Tanzania enjoy warm days and mild evenings all year. While temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru fall below zero, the country’s Indian Ocean coast and lakeside regions are hot and humid. Your destination and the sites you want to see will dictate the best time to go on a Tanzania safari. The ideal time to visit Tanzania for a first safari is usually during the dry season when it’s easier to spot and follow animals. Understanding the distinction between safari high season and low season is a smart place to start, regardless of whether this is your first trip to Tanzania.
Tanzania Safari High vs Low Season
| High or Peak Season | Low or Green Season |
|---|---|
| About June to October (long dry season) | About January to March and November to December |
| Highest rates | Lowest rates |
| Need to book well in advance | No need to book too far in advance |
| Cool and dry weather | Hot and occasionally wet weather |
| Not many baby animals around | Lots of baby animals around |
| Not many migrant birds to see | Fantastic time for bird-watching |
| Most crowded | Least crowded |
| Good photography conditions | Greenest, most scenic landscapes with the best light of the year for photography |
Understanding when you plan to come will influence your plans for where to go in Tanzania in addition to understanding what you want to see and experience.
When to See the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti
| Event | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Calving or Birthing Season | January to March |
| Intense Big Cat Action | January to March |
| Rutting (a period of sexual excitement, reproductive activity and mating battles between males) | January to March |
| Grumeti River Crossings | May to July |
| Mara River Crossings | July to September |
Note that the dates shown above are simply estimates. Although the river crossings often take place between May and September, the Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, round-trip trek that cannot be predicted. The herds may cross four times in a single day, or they may remain in one spot for two weeks! To learn more about this natural phenomenon, check out our comprehensive guide to the Wildebeest Migration.
Month by Month Guide for Travelling to Tanzania:
Travelling to Tanzania during January to March
January is one of the greatest months to travel to Tanzania’s coast if you’re looking for a tropical beach vacation. A holiday in Zanzibar means blue seas, powder-soft sand beaches, and complete relaxation. To give birth to their calves, the herds of wildebeests often migrate towards the southern Serengeti during the first month of the year.
February is a hot and muggy month, marking the beginning of the calving season when millions of wildebeest give birth to their young as predators wait. During this time, about 500,000 calves of wildebeest are born. The first tentative steps of fresh life are being taken on the plains.
Tanzania has scorching temperatures in March, with dry spells in the early part of the month, while in other years, the “long rains” have arrived earlier. In stark contrast to the brown texture of the soil, the landscape turns an unearthly green throughout the summer. Mornings are nice in the Ngorongoro Highlands, where late afternoon rainfall is brief and intense. Another popular month for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is March.
Visiting Tanzania in April & May
April is by far the wettest month of the year, and although afternoon thunderstorms are the most common kind of precipitation, large storms at night are also common, along with a lot of overcast days. Although the humidity is higher in the western and southern parks throughout the year, if you decide to come during this time, Tanzanian excursions and lodgings are quite reasonably priced.
Although May is still somewhat damp at the beginning, as June ushers in the dry season, things do begin to dry up towards the end of the month. The Great Migration treks from the southern Serengeti to the western corridor throughout this month.
Visiting Tanzania from June to August
June is a dry and busy month, and it is widely regarded as the finest time to visit Tanzania for luxury safaris. The rains have stopped, the savannahs are from green to yellow, and wildlife sightings are increasing as the vegetation recedes. The Wildebeest Migration may have stopped at the Grumeti River to build up numbers before attempting their perilous crossings.
July is peak safari season, and it is the greatest time to visit Tanzania for optimum weather and fantastic game drives, as well as to combine a Kenya and Tanzania safari. The Great Migration should have reached the northern Serengeti, preparing for its main event: crossing the hazardous waters of the Mara River to Kenya. Read on to learn more about a Kenya versus Tanzania safari.
August remains peak season, with tourists going to the northern safari circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti) and Zanzibar. Wildlife watching is spectacular, and the herds of the Great Migration should have begun to cross the Mara River.
Travelling to Tanzania during September and October
In September, tourist crowds thin down and there is still no rain, which means humidity levels are low, resulting in fewer mosquitoes. September is another popular month for hikers looking to summit Kilimanjaro, and those looking for large herds of elephants will find them in abundance at Tarangire National Park. Furthermore, this month marks the beginning of the fishing season in Tanzania’s large lake regions.
Thunderstorms form in October, and the first rains fall. The optimum time to visit Tanzania’s Mahale Mountains National Park for chimp encounters is during this month when Lake Tanganyika is at its warmest. If you wish to climb Mount Meru, now is the perfect time to visit Arusha National Park.
Visiting Tanzania in November & December
November is probably one of the most underappreciated months for a safari in Tanzania. There will be rain, but just intermittent thundershowers throughout the afternoon. Tanzania’s northern parks are normally excellent for wildlife viewing throughout the year, and this month is a fantastic time to visit some off-the-beaten-path locations.
December is in the middle of the ‘ short rains’, and the beginning of the month is usually tranquil in comparison to the two weeks between Christmas and New Year. December is an excellent month for birdwatching, as migrating species begin to arrive, particularly in the Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks. The Great Migration has returned to the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. It’s the best season for a Serengeti Safari in Tanzania, where you may see animals feasting in preparation for calving and giving birth on their year-round trek.
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