When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania? The dry season, which lasts from late June to October, is the ideal time to travel to Tanzania for a safari. Tanzania has two different rainy seasons: the “long rains” (April to May) and the “short rains” (November to December). The nation’s “long rains,” which often occur in the afternoon, bring tropical downpours, and some safari sites may have to close. The’short rains’ occasionally produce a quick shower.
All year long, Tanzania’s safari regions experience warm days and chilly evenings. While Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru experience below-freezing temperatures, the Indian Ocean coast and areas around lakes are hot and muggy.
Depending on where you want to go and what you want to see, you can choose the perfect time for your Tanzania safari. The best time to visit Tanzania for first-time safari visitors is typically during the dry season, when wildlife is simpler to follow and detect. Understanding the distinction between the safari high season and low season is an excellent place to start, whether this is your first trip to Tanzania.
Mara River Crossings July to September.
Although they typically take place between May and September, river crossings are unpredictable and part of the Wildebeest Migration, which is an annual, round journey. The herds may cross four times in a single day, or they may stay still for two weeks. You may learn more about this spectacular natural event by reading our comprehensive Wildebeest Migration guide.
Travelling to Tanzania between January and March is the best time to go on safari, according to a month-by-month guide.
January is one of the greatest months to travel to Tanzania’s coast if you want to spend time at a tropical beach. Vacationing in Zanzibar means enjoying the island’s powder-soft beaches, clear waters, and complete relaxation. For the Wildebeest Migration, the herds normally enter the southern Serengeti during the first month of the year to give birth to their calves.
February is a humid and warm month that marks the beginning of calving season, when thousands of wildebeest give birth to their young as predators lurk in the shadows. During this time, almost 500,000 wildebeest calves are born. The plains are teeming with young life that is making its shaky first steps.
Although it tends to be dry early in the month, Tanzania experiences exceptionally high temperatures in March. In previous years, the ‘long rains’ have also arrived early. Over the summer, the area takes on an unearthly green that stands in stark contrast to the brown texture of the soil. The afternoon brings brief but intense rain to the Ngorongoro Highlands, making the mornings comfortable. Another popular month for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is March.
Visiting Tanzania in April & May.
The wettest month of the year is by far April, and while most of the precipitation takes the shape of afternoon thundershowers, there are frequently large nighttime storms as well as many overcast days. The western and southern parks have the highest humidity of the year, yet if you decide to visit during this period, accommodations and Tanzania tours are very affordable.
Although May begins with a lot of rain, things start to dry up as June ushers in the dry season by the month’s conclusion. The Great Migration is making its way from the southern Serengeti to the western corridor during this month.
Visiting Tanzania from June to August.
June is regarded as the ideal month to travel to Tanzania for luxury safaris because it is dry, busy, and pleasant. The rains are through, the savannahs are beginning to turn yellow, and wildlife sightings are getting better as the vegetation progressively withers away. The Wildebeest Migration may have stopped at the Grumeti River to increase its population before making its perilous crossings.
The greatest time to visit Tanzania for ideal weather, fantastic game drive possibilities, and to combine a Kenya and Tanzania safari is in July when peak safari season is in full gear. The northern Serengeti should have seen the arrival of the Great Migration, preparing for its main event: the perilous Mara River crossing into Kenya. Discover more about a safari in Kenya and Tanzania by reading on.
Tourists continue to swarm to Zanzibar and the northern safari circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti) in August, which is still regarded as peak season. Wildlife viewing is breathtaking, and the Great Migration herds should have begun to cross the Mara River by now.
Travelling to Tanzania during September and October.
When there is still no rain in September, there are fewer tourists and fewer bugs because humidity levels are low. If you’re looking to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, September is another excellent month to do it. Tarangire National Park is where you can discover large herds of elephants. Additionally, the fishing season in Tanzania’s vast lake regions begins this month.
Thunderclouds begin to gather in October, and the first rains start to fall. The greatest time to visit Tanzania for chimpanzee encounters is during this month when Mahale Mountains National Park is open and Lake Tanganyika is at its warmest. The best time to visit Arusha National Park is in the month of March if you wish to climb Mount Meru.
Visiting Tanzania in November & December.
Possibly one of the best times to go on a safari in Tanzania is November. There will be rain, but there will likely only be sporadic afternoon thundershowers. The northern Tanzanian parks are normally excellent all year round for observing wildlife, and this month is a fantastic opportunity to explore some off-the-beaten-path locations.
The month of December lies in the middle of the “short rains,” and the first two weeks of the month are often calmer than the two weeks between Christmas and New Year’s. As migratory birds begin to arrive in December, it is the ideal time to go birdwatching, especially in the Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks. The southern Serengeti’s short-grass plains are once again home to the Great Migration. It’s the perfect time to go on a Serengeti safari in Tanzania to see animals feasting before giving birth to calves and beginning their yearly cyclical trek.
