Best time to visit Tanzania – Visit Zanzibar, Serengeti
September 12, 2024
Best time to visit Tanzania
Much as it can be appreciated that the incredible country of Tanzania may be visited almost any time of the year, different destinations offer different experiences at different times of the year. Generally, the best time to go for Tanzania safaris is the month of June to October every year followed by the months of December to February.
Tanzania in January
Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons which are most preferred for game viewing: the short dry season which is between the month of January and March and the longer dry season running from June to October.
During the month of January, the mainland areas of Tanzania is hot and humid, offering great opportunity for photography. There is occasional rain to calm the little heat.
If you plan to visit Tanzania in January, the most recommended sector would be the Southern sector for the captivating game drives, game viewing and bird watching in the famous Selous, Ruaha or Mikumi National Park.
If you plan to visit Tanzania in January specially to experience the Great migration, then your best bet is the beautiful Ndutu region or the sunny Southern plains of the Serengeti. From the Second last week of January, you shall also be able to witness the calving of plentiful wildebeests. As you might have imagined, there is a possible witnessing of the killing as wildebeest babies are being born. It’s an exciting experience you don’t want to miss.
In summary, besides Ruaha national Park, Selous and Mikumi, you can experience ultimate adventure in Serengeti, Ngorongoro and lake Manyara during the months of January.
Tanzania in February
February is still a dry season with very mild occasional rain in the major mainland areas of Tanzania. The experience here is pretty much similar to January expect, the calving is reaching its peak in the famous Ndutu plains. There is also an increased number of predators waiting to feast on the wildebeest babies.
Around 500,000 wildebeest calves are born over a short period. This makes this an exciting sight on safari, perhaps glimpsing their first teetering steps in their new habitat.
February is an incredible time to climb the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, hike the Usambara Mountain Range, or hit the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. If you would prefer further game viewing, Selous, Mikumi and Ruaha are your best bet to head to in February.
Genreally, the month of February is great for those who want to save some money. The crowd is few and therefore and the safari costs is a little discounted.
Tanzania in March
The month of March is a tricky one. Very hard to predict whether it’s going to rain or not but, generally, March receives a short rain in the first two weeks in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro leaving the mornings pleasant and generally dry for excellent game viewing.
The best place to go to in March is Ngorongoro and this can be combined with a visit to The Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. During this month, there is a huge discount and the parks aren’t crowded.
The long rainy season of March fosters lush greenery and picturesque landscapes, creating beautiful scenery for safari experiences and photography.
The months of March, September and October are considered the prime months for those wishing to tackle Kilimanjaro offering great weather favorable for trekking.
Tanzania in April
April is the wettest months of all in Tanzania. If you want to experience the very best of Tanzania, avoid April. While the rains predominantly come in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, it is not unusual to have big storms at night as well as some grey, drizzly days.
Given the fact that there is much rain, you shall need to pack your sweaters and be prepared for delayed drives due to unpassable roads. Only the most hardened and experienced 4×4 drivers should attempt to tackle the muddy and rutted roads that predominate throughout the wilder areas of Tanzania during April.
This month is best for money savers, many safari lodges have reduced rates due to the few number of travelers.
Tanzania in May
Early May is usually still very wet but, as the month progresses, things start to dry out and road repairs get underway, ensuring the transfers to different national parks a breeze. In May, you shall experience some of the mind-blowing lush greenery and picturesque landscape for magnificent photography. The bush and vegetation look fantastic after all the rain with most herbivores in fine condition thanks to the abundant food and water that’s widely available.
At this time of year, huge volumes of wildebeest vacate the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and start to trek north and into the western corridor. The latter part of May is a great time to be in Tanzania especially for the Great Migration travelers.
During this month, you can easily spot the Big five games, the beautiful flamingoes of Lake Manyara, almost all the cats and much more.
Generally, the month of May is perfect if you want to both save money and experience exciting adventure. Whether your intention is the Big 5 sightseeing, wildebeest migration witnessing or acclimating the peak of Kilimanjaro, you will not go wring if you plan your visit during the third week of May onwards.
Tanzania in June
June is dry and busy. Peak season is underway and areas like the western Serengeti are extremely crowded at this time of year with the wildebeest piling into the western corridor in their hundreds of thousands. With the rains properly finished, the savannahs are already starting to change from green to yellow and wildlife sightings are constantly improving as the vegetation slowly recedes.
Wildebeest are in their numbers this time of the year
The wildebeest herds stop at Grumeti River to build up numbers before they attempt the river crossing in their thousands. Many traverse the river successfully because of safety in numbers. If however you’re in the right place at the right time you may spot a crocodile attempting to take down a wildebeest.
June is possibly the best time of the year to visit the Serengeti because of the amazing wildlife viewing – with the best sights to be seen in the northernmost parts.
Tanzania in July
July is just in the middle of dry season. The weather is cool in the morning and warmer in the afternoon. In summary, there is a cooler temperatue, parched landscape and bluer sky and because of this, the safari season is in full swing. Tanzania is busy during July, expect to multiple crowds in all the parks and prime attractions of the northern circuit during the months of July and August. It’s obvious many other people also want the same fun as you.
While the great Migration is a different to predict occasion, dueiring the month of July – being a drier season, the wildebeest migrate and are around the Mara river, crossing to greener pastures. There is a huge amount of crocodile to sightsee.
Wildlife viewing is excellent in July and is well worth putting up with the crowds if you’re comfortable doing so. If you want to avoid the large crowd, you might want to consider the southern circuit with less visitors and great wildlife sightings.
If you are planning to go climbing Kilimanjaro in July, you are planning at the perfect time. There is literally no predictable rain in Kilimanjaro as the weather is clearer and less likely to rain however, due to the most favorable weather, many climbers opt for Kilimanjaro climbing during July. The cooler and drier weather causes the peak to get frigid – so, remember to pack some warmer clothes.
If you plan to visit Serengeti and Ngorongoro or generally Tanzania in July, you want to have your reservations made as early as possible to avoid finding full accommodation.
Tanzania in August
Wrell, august is a still a peak season with large numbers of visitors from all over the world but majorly America and Europe dominating the northern safari circuit and Zanzibar. The weather is excellent and much conducive for game viewing.
Just like in the month of July, expect multiple crowd in famous mainland national parks and attractions. The cooler and drier conducive weather comes with multiple crowds.
The Mara River crossing is a spectacular sight as the great Wildebeest Migration continues in the mighty Mara river between July and August. The very best sector of Serengeti to visit in august is the Western corridor.
If you want to combine a Tanzania safari with a Zanzibar relaxation, this is a perfect time for you as the weather is calmer and drier, the sky is clearer for longing in these beautiful sand beaches. Visiting Zanzibar is much rewarding in July and August compared to any other time throughout the year.
Tarangire National Park is excellent for spotting elephants who roam freely among the open plains.
Tanzania in September
September is a great time to visit Tanzania, the cooler drier seasons starts to set in, the wildebeest and zebras leave kenya and hear towards the Serengeti for greener pastures. There is a greater game viewing opportunity in the Serengeti, Selous, Ngorongoro and yes, visitor numbers are starting to drop off now; there is still no rain in sight, meaning that humidity levels are low bringing fewer mosquitoes.
If you want to sightsee mind-blowing large herds od wildebeest and zebras – of course plus many other predators such as lions, September is your month.
The Lamai-Mara region and Kilimanjaro remains busy, but the rest of Tanzania’s tourist attractions and parks are starting to see a drop off in visitor numbers, as they regain their wilderness feel. Because of the busy nature of the Northern circuit, southern safari circuit remains blissfully wild, beckoning those with a sense of adventure and yearning for wilderness.
Tanzania in October
October is literally the middle of the dry seasons of Tanzania. The thunderclouds are building and in late October, Tanzania receives the first rains. The wildebeest and other herbivores are coming back from Mara and are heading south again; Kilimanjaro climbing remains popular throughout October; and other mainland wildlife game-viewing is superb with obscure impressive sightings.
You can see as far as your eyes go.
This is also your best time to visit Tanzania’s major parks if you want to experience the wilderness with less crowd.
Your other most recommended destinations are the; Mahale Mountains National park because of its perfect accessible this time of the year, making chimpanzee spotting prime.
The month of October is your most recommended time to visit Arusha National Park for a walking safari and if you want to, climb and conquer the famed Mount Meru.
Other major mainland parks such as Serengeti, Tarangire, Selous/Nyerere, Mikumi, Lake Manyara national parks are quite open this time and you can still have blazing and incredible wildlife sightseeing.
Recommended Safari packages
Tanzania in November
November is one of the most underrated months to go on safari in Tanzania especially if you are planning a wildlife safari to the Northern or southern Tanzania.
Yes, without a doubt, you will have some heaven pours to contend with, but it is usually in periodic and last just a few hours in the evening. This isn’t every though!
The northern parks especially Serengeti & Tarangire are your most favorite parks this November as the parks welcome herbivores back from Kenya’s Mara. This is also your best time to witness th wildebeest migration in the Central and southern part of the Serengeti ecosystem.
During November, the wide-open plains take on the appearance of a golf course with short grass that adds colour without obscuring wildlife sightings. With billowing cumulus clouds and the smoke and dust washed away, this is once again a great month for photography.
Tanzania in December
December falls in the midst of the short rains so except some rain and wet weather. This is definitely one of the very best time to visit Tanzania if you want to avoid crowd.
The first half of the month tends to have fewer guest and the last half as it approached Christmas, the country tends to have more guests coming in. You don’t want to plan last minute if you intend to visit during this period!
Are you a birder at heart? Then December is definitely your favorite here in Tanzania. This is because many migratory birds have already arrived and are present in the various parks of Tanzania by December. For best birding encounter, desire to add Selous/Nyerere National Park and Tarangire National Park to your itinerary for the most exciting wilderness and birding encounter in December.
Needless to say you can still enjoy incredible wildlife encounters and wildebeest migration in the Southern and Central Serengeti as the herbivores return to the Ndutu plains to prepare for calving in late January and February.
December is also your time of the year to conquer the giant of Africa – the Kilimanjaro Kibo peak. What powerful is it to conclude the year at the very peak of Africa?
Planning your adventure to the Kilimanjaro mountains is definitely stunning in the month of December because there is less rain and the weather is somewhat conducive. Engage us today and let’s plan your adventure of a lifetime as the year winds up.
Don’t wait,
book this adventure safari today
Low season
Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, may
Peak season
Jun, July, Aug, Sept, Dec