The Best Time To Visit Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania is contingent upon the specific species you wish to observe. The country’s seasons and wildlife populations are determined by rainfall, resulting in a varied experience based on your chosen time of visit. The primary attraction of Tanzania is the Great Migration, which transpires continuously throughout the Serengeti. Numerous individuals congregate here from July to September to observe vast herds of wildebeest and zebra across the Mara River, where chaos erupts as they attempt to evade the jaws of crocodiles and other lurking predators. Numerous cars will be present in the park during this season. The ‘green season’ in Tanzania, occurring from November to March, is far less active.
Despite the possibility of rain showers, it is an excellent opportunity for birdwatching as migratory species arrive in large numbers. You will also observe Great Migration herds accompanied by their newly born calves. We typically refrain from visiting Tanzania during April and May due to the potential disruption of wildlife viewing caused by heavy rains.
Visiting Tanzania in High Season 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 |
Visiting Tanzania during January to March
The Best Time To Visit Tanzania, January is a great month to visit Tanzania’s coast for a tropical beach a vacation. A holiday in Zanzibar entails pristine sandy beaches, cerulean oceans, and complete tranquility. During the Wildebeest Migration, the initial month of the year often witnesses the herds migrating to the southern Serengeti to calve.
February is characterized by heat and humidity, marking the commencement of calving season when thousands of wildebeest give birth, while predators lie in ambush. Approximately 500,000 wildebeest calves are born during this timeframe. The plains are teeming with nascent life, embarking on their initial unsteady steps.
In March, Tanzania has intense heat; early in the month is typically dry, however the ‘long rains’ have occasionally arrived prematurely in prior years. The scenery transforms into an ethereal green, starkly contrasting with the brown roughness of the earth throughout the warmer months. The Ngorongoro Highlands experiences brief and intense rains in the late afternoon, resulting in pleasant mornings. March is regarded as an optimal month for ascending Mount Kilimanjaro.
Visiting Tanzania in April & May
April is undoubtedly the wettest month of the year, characterized primarily by afternoon thundershowers, however significant storms at night and numerous overcast days are not uncommon. The western and southern parks experience peak humidity of the year; nonetheless, lodgings and tours in Tanzania provide excellent value if you opt to vacation during this period.
The onset of May remains somewhat damp; however, conditions begin to ameliorate by the month’s conclusion as June heralds the arrival of the dry season. This month, the Great Migration is progressing from the southern Serengeti to the western corridor.
Visiting Tanzania from June to August
June is arid, bustling, and regarded as the optimal period for luxury safaris in Tanzania. The rains have ceased, the savannahs are transitioning from green to yellow, and wildlife sightings are increasing as the vegetation gradually diminishes. The Wildebeest Migration may have halted in the Grumeti River, accumulating numbers prior to their perilous crossings.
July marks the height of safari season, making it the optimal time to visit Tanzania for favorable weather and exceptional game drive prospects, as well as for combining a safari in Kenya and Tanzania. The Great Migration is expected to have arrived in the northern regions of the Serengeti, preparing for its principal event: across the perilous waters of the Mara River into Kenya. Explore on to get details regarding a Kenya versus Tanzania safari.
August remains the peak season, with tourist throngs converging on the northern safari circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, and Serengeti) as well as Zanzibar. Wildlife observation is exceptional, and the herds of the Great Migration are anticipated to commence their crossing of the Mara River.
Visiting Tanzania during September and October
The Best Time To Visit Tanzania, In September, visitor crowds start to diminish, and with no rainfall, humidity levels remain low, resulting in a reduced presence of mosquitoes. September is an optimal month for hikers aiming to summit Kilimanjaro, and for those seeking large populations of elephants, Tarangire National Park is the destination to encounter them abundantly. This month marks the commencement of the fishing season in Tanzania’s big lake regions.
October witnesses the formation of thunderclouds and the onset of the initial rains. This month is optimal for visiting Mahale Mountains National Park in Tanzania for chimpanzee interactions, as Lake Tanganyika reaches its highest temperatures. If you intend to ascend Mount Meru, this is the optimal month to explore Arusha National Park.
Visiting Tanzania in November & December
November is arguably one of the most undervalued months for a safari in Tanzania. Precipitation is expected, mostly manifesting as intermittent thundershowers in the afternoon. The northern parks of Tanzania are typically excellent for wildlife observation throughout the year, and this month presents an opportune moment to explore lesser-known areas.
December occurs during the ‘brief rains,’ with the initial days typically being tranquil in contrast to the bustling two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year. December is an ideal month for avian observation as migratory birds begin to arrive, especially in Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks. The Great Migration has reemerged on the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. The optimal period for a Serengeti Safari in Tanzania is during the feasting in anticipation of calving and the emergence of new life on their perennial round migration.
The Best Time to See the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti
| 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 |