Planning an African safari in Tanzania? The timing of your visit can significantly impact your experience, from wildlife viewing opportunities to weather conditions. This guide provides a detailed overview of the best times to visit Tanzania for various activities, ensuring you make the most of your adventure.
Key Considerations for Planning Your Safari
Tanzania has two rainy seasons: Masika, the long rains from March to May, and mvuli, the shorter, lighter rains from mid-November to mid-December. The long rains can cause flooding and make some safari areas inaccessible. The best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing is generally at its best.
If you're in a rush, here's a quick guide to the best times for popular activities:
- Seeing the Big Five: All year apart from the long rains between mid-March and mid-May.
- Seeing lots of baby animals: January and February on the Ndutu Plains of Southern Serengeti.
- Visiting Zanzibar: Long dry season from June to October.
- Hiking Kilimanjaro: Mid-June to Mid-October and December to mid-March.
- Mara River Crossing: Mid-July to mid-October, with August offering the maximum chances.
The Wildebeest cross the Mara River 2023 | Witness the Great Migration in Action!"
The variable timing of the rains dictates the timing of most of the natural events in Tanzania. If the rains arrive a little early, things like calving season and migrations will happen earlier.
Monthly Breakdown of Tanzania's Safari Seasons
January: Start of the Short Dry Season
January marks the start of the short dry season. You’re unlikely to get caught in a downpour, and yet the landscape is still lush and green from the previous season’s rains. It’s hot and dry in Tanzania in January, and Zanzibar’s highs are in the 30°Cs.
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Pros of visiting Tanzania in January:
- Parks are less busy and prices are lower compared to peak season.
- Weather is warm and the chances of rain are relatively low.
- It’s the start of the wildebeest calving season with loads of baby animals being born and related big cat activity.
Under the sun, hundreds of thousands of baby wildebeest are born in the south of the Serengeti, in grasslands greened by the past short rains. They attract hungry predators - but not many tourists. During this period over 8,000 baby wildebeest, zebras and other wildlife are born each day, drawing out high numbers of big cats as well as other smaller predators and scavengers. January is regarded as an off-peak season, so accommodation costs are cheaper than at other times of year. It’s an excellent period for visitors who are watching their budgets, especially since the overall safari experience is as good as during the peak season.
February: Wildebeest Calving Season
Wildebeest calves continue to be born in the south Serengeti in Tanzania in February - thousands of them - but many won’t survive until summer. It’s hot and mostly dry and it’s a quiet time for tourists, though it’s a pretty time of year, with green landscapes and migratory birds. Good February is a good month for photographers and visitors wanting to see lots of baby animals and related big cat activity. Over 500,000 calves are born within the peak calving period of 2-3 weeks, which can vary based on the timings of the rains.
February is usually the hottest month of the year in Tanzania with temperatures reaching the low 30s° C inland in the game parks, and mid to high 30s° C along the coast and islands. Some lodges in remote areas may be closed during February, but in general most are open and off-season rates apply. These are far more affordable than high season rates.
March: Start of the Long Rains
It’s low season: the long rains start in Tanzania in March. They make some areas inaccessible and safaris - with the possibility of getting stuck in the mud - more adventurous. Some lodges close; others might have good rates. You won’t want to be on the beach and the water is too cloudy for snorkelling and diving. Kilimanjaro’s trails become slippery and visibility is poor. It’s extremely hot in Tanzania in March, early in the month it tends to be dry, although the ‘long rains' have in previous years come early. The landscape turns an otherworldly green which is a strong contrast to the brown texture of the terrain over the summer months. The Ngorongoro Highlands receives short and sharp rainfall in the late afternoon, leaving the mornings pleasant.
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March is good for bird-lovers, as well as those who want quieter parks and are on a tight budget. It’s important, though, that you don’t mind the possibility of heavy rain.
April: The Wettest Month
As the rains continue to fall in Tanzania in April, green turtles start hatching in the Mafia Archipelago and continue to do so until September. April is by far the wettest month of the year and while the rains predominantly come in the form of afternoon thundershowers, it's not unusual to have big storms at night, as well as plenty of grey days. Herbivores thrive on the fresh growth, and calving continues for species like wildebeest (this peaks in February and March but extends into April). Related predator activity is high.
April is usually the wettest month of the year. If you’re on a tight budget and prepared to put up with the adverse weather conditions, April is the cheapest month to visit Tanzania.
May: End of the Rainy Season
The green, rainy season continues to mid-month in Tanzania in May. The end of month is dry but possibly still empty of tourists avoiding the rains. The beginning of May is still very wet, but things do start to dry out towards the end of the month as June welcomes in the dry season.
May is good for bird-lovers, as well as those who want quieter parks and are on a tight budget. It’s important, though, that you don’t mind the possibility of heavy rain. In May, the Great Migration moves from the Southern to the Central and Western Serengeti, heading toward the Grumeti River.
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June: Start of the Dry Season
High season begins in Tanzania in June with the start of the long dry season that runs until mid-October. That said, you might slip in ahead of the biggest crowds now. In my opinion, unless seeing the famous Mara River crossing is important to you, I recommend visiting Tanzania in June rather than the busier July and August. June is dry, busy and is considered the best time of year to visit for Tanzania luxury safaris. The rains have come to an end, the savannahs are starting to change from green to yellow, and wildlife sightings improve as the vegetation slowly recedes.
Clear blue skies, minimal rain and cooler temperatures make for fantastic weather in the parks, the mountains and the beaches. On the coast, the weather is more stable with temperatures reaching 30° C at times and rarely dropping below 20° C. The rains become sparse, allowing you more time to spend outdoors exploring the historic Stonetown and relaxing on the stunning beaches. The sea is usually calm and clear, ideal for all beach and water activities.
July: Peak Safari Season
The safari crowds come to Tanzania in July to see wildlife congregating at waterholes. July is considered peak safari season and is the best time to travel to Tanzania for ideal weather and excellent game drive opportunities, as well as pairing up a Kenya and Tanzania safari. July is in the heart of Tanzania’s winter and the country is at its driest.
July is good for people who want optimum wildlife viewing and to see the Mara river crossing in the second half of the month. Conditions are also perfect for a Kilimanjaro hike and visiting Zanzibar.
Pros of visiting Tanzania in July:
- Weather is fantastic and more predictable.
- Wildlife viewing is at its very best as the foliage dies back, making animals easier to spot.
- Animals congregate around watering holes, making them easier to find.
- The Great Migration is in full swing with wildebeest heading north to Kogatende.
The Great Migration is by now well on its way, with millions of wildebeest and zebras crossing the Grumeti River along the Western Corridor and heading to Kogatende in Serengeti’s north. The weather in July is usually absolutely perfect. In the parks in the western highlands, night temperatures can drop to around 10° C. Along the coast and on the islands, temperatures average a little higher and can reach 30° C.
August: High Season Continues
High season prevails in Tanzania in August. Some regions heave with jeeps - Ngorongoro, and the northern Serengeti, where cars line up to see wildebeest attempt to cross the Mara River. That’s thanks to a combination of summer vacations, the continuation of the migration in the Serengeti, and cooler, dry temperatures (highs of 26°C in the Serengeti; 29°C in Zanzibar), which make it the perfect time to combine safaris and beach.
August is still considered peak season with tourist crowds flocking to the northern safari circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti) and Zanzibar.
September: A Quieter, Less Expensive Option
Wildebeest are still crossing the rivers of the northern Serengeti in Tanzania in September. Being outside the vacation season, it’s also a quieter, less expensive month for safari and beach trips. In September, tourist crowds begin to dissipate and there is still no rain, meaning humidity levels are low bringing fewer mosquitoes.
September is another prime month for hikers wanting to conquer Kilimanjaro and for those in search of high numbers of elephants, the Tarangire National Park is where you will find them en masse.
October: The Short Rains Approach
October can be a good time to climb Kilimanjaro. It’s less busy than September and dry until the end of the month, when the short rains start. Whale sharks arrive at the coast; you could spot them at Mafia Island. October sees the building of thunderclouds and the arrival of the first rains. Mahale Mountains National Park during this month is the best time to travel to Tanzania for chimpanzee encounters, and Lake Tanganyika is at its warmest.
November: The Short Rainy Season
Expect rain showers in Tanzania in November for the mvuli - the short rainy season. They won’t bring the travel disruption of the long spring rains, but they do freshen up the landscape, making the following months lovely and green. November is possibly one of the most underrated months for a safari in Tanzania. There will be rain, but it's usually only periodic thundershowers in the afternoon. There are mangoes ripe on the trees and visibility clear in the seas - so get snorkelling.
December: Short Rains and Birdwatching
It can be hot and feel humid in Tanzania in December (average highs of 28°C in Serengeti; 31°C in Zanzibar). It’s still the short rainy season so expect showers when climbing Kili and green scenes on safari. December falls in the middle of the ‘short rains' and the beginning of the month is usually quiet compared to the two weeks over Christmas and New Year. The wildebeest have moved to the southern Serengeti.
December is the perfect month for birdwatching as the migratory birds start to arrive - particularly in the Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks. The Great Migration has returned to the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti.
Year-Round Wildlife Viewing
There is no migration in the Ngorongoro Crater; you can see wildlife there year-round. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. The dry months offer good wildlife viewing throughout Tanzania.
Zanzibar: A Tropical Beach Holiday
If it's a tropical beach holiday that you're after, January is one of the best times to visit Tanzania's coast. Experiencing Zanzibar for a vacation consists of powder-soft sand beaches, azure waters, and total relaxation.
Tanzania Safari Planning Guide
| Month | Wildlife Viewing | Weather | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | Warm, Dry | Low | Wildebeest calving season begins. |
| February | Excellent | Hot, Dry | Moderate | Peak of wildebeest calving season. |
| March | Good | Hot, Rainy | Low | Start of the long rainy season. |
| April | Okay | Wet | Low | Wettest month, challenging for safaris. |
| May | Good | Rainy, Drying Out | Low | End of the long rains, landscapes green. |
| June | Excellent | Dry, Cool | Moderate | Start of the dry season, Grumeti River crossing. |
| July | Excellent | Dry, Cool | High | Peak safari season, Mara River crossing. |
| August | Excellent | Dry, Cool | High | High season continues, Mara River crossing. |
| September | Excellent | Dry, Mild | Moderate | Quieter, less expensive, good for Kilimanjaro. |
| October | Good | Dry, Warming | Moderate | Good for climbing Kilimanjaro. |
| November | Good | Rainy | Low | Short rains, good for birdwatching. |
| December | Good | Rainy, Humid | Moderate | Short rains, birdwatching, wildebeest in Southern Serengeti. |
