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Best Time to Go to Tanzania

Visiting Tanzania in January

There is a chance of shorter rain, the temperature is getting higher and the humidity is building. It’s still a good time to go as rates are lower and safari is excellent.

At this time of year the migration herds are in the southeast of the Serengeti for calving season, so the Ndutu Plains are busy but it is amazing to see so many animals in one place.

Events & Festivals

• Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands.

Visiting Tanzania in February

As with January, the rains depend on your chosen location in Tanzania. Northern parks are likely to see drier periods while western parks remain fairly rainy throughout.

The chart below shows the averages for the Serengeti throughout the month and the comparative average rainfall in Zanzibar

February is the best time of year to see wildebeest calving. This usually happens in Ndutu in the southern part of the Serengeti where millions of wildebeests congregate to feed on the grasses and give birth to their calves.

Around 500,000 wildebeest calves are born which makes for a great sight on safari, perhaps glimpsing their first teetering steps in their new habitat.

February Climatic Averages

• Day time maximum temperature 29 degrees centigrade
• Night time minimum temperature 16 degrees centigrade
• The average amount of rainfall is 90 millimeters
• The average number of sunshine hours is 8 hours
• The average amount of rainfall (Zanzibar) is 33 millimeters

If you are a keen birdwatcher December to March is a great time to head to Selous (Nyerere National Park) and Ruaha as European migratory birds arrive and males are out in full force vying for the females’ attention. Look out for the colorful Northern Carmine bee-eaters seeking out grasshoppers in the undergrowth.

Similarly, February is the best time of year to see the Greater and Lesser flamingos around Lake Natron. However, these birds can be somewhat unpredictable so they might not always be where you expect them to be!

In Zanzibar, the Swahili music festival Sauti ze Busara brings African music to life with performances and festivities throughout Stone Town. This is a great chance to visit the beaches too before the rains commence as February has one of the lowest average rainfall levels in Zanzibar all year.

Visiting Tanzania in March

Heavy rains of the long rainy season (masika) tend to begin in March bringing with them much more cloud coverage and even higher humidity.

Although the rains are unlikely to last all day, they can be frequent and are likely to occur most days throughout the month. The list below shows the averages for the Serengeti throughout the month and the comparative average rainfall in Zanzibar

This does mean that some roads become inaccessible during this time so please ask our experts for their advice on the best parks to visit if March is the only time you can travel. Some lodges and camps may also close down during the heaviest parts of the rainy season so it is important to keep this in mind.

March Climatic Averages

• Day time maximum temperature 29 degrees centigrade
• Night time minimum temperature 16 degrees centigrade
• Average amount of rainfall 130 millimetres
• Average number of sunshine hours 8 hours
• Average amount of rainfall (Zanzibar) 126 millimetres

Of course, as with all rainy seasons, lush green landscapes are abundant and flowers are blooming creating fantastic backdrops for your safari drives.

This does make wildlife more difficult to spot though so you should have your binoculars at the ready and listen to your guide’s advice on where to look for the best viewing. Birdlife in Lake Manyara is a particular favourite of birdwatchers from March to May so this could be worth taking in to consideration.

Plenty of water birds reside by the wetlands and streams and the park is also well known for numerous hornbills perching in the trees.

Overall, March can be a good, quiet time to visit Tanzania. The ground is fertile and the wildlife is abundant, but there is a high chance of rain and animals can be harder to spot.

Visiting Tanzania in April – May

April to May continues the long rainy season and, as with March, sees plenty of clouds and rain throughout.

Southern and western parks have the highest humidity during the rainy season so can become somewhat uncomfortable.

These are also the areas where hotels and lodges are likely to close down or offer discounts due to the unfavorable climate.

Accommodation such as the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is also almost half-price during this season so you can great value for money if you choose to travel at this time.

The list below shows the averages for the Serengeti throughout the month and the comparative average rainfall in Zanzibar

Despite the rains, this season can be some people’s favorite time to visit Tanzania for safaris. The parks are often devoid of other travelers yet full of animals making the most of the abundant water supplies.

Animals are harder to spot due to the flourishing foliage but plenty of predators and herbivores remain.

The south and south-eastern parts of the Serengeti generally have wide open plains with poor tree coverage at all times, therefore game viewing is still good here even during the rains.

Wildebeest start to return to the hills in the north in April as the young are now a few months old. As long as you have the correct equipment to keep your camera dry then you should be able to get some great photos during this time.

April Climatic Averages

• Day time maximum temperature 28 degrees centigrade
• Night time minimum temperature 16 degrees centigrade
• The average amount of rainfall was 138 millimeters
• The average number of sunshine hours is 7 hours
• The average amount of rainfall (Zanzibar) is 228 millimeters

Gombe Stream, Katavi, and the Mahale Mountains remain difficult to access so if you are looking to go on a chimp trek it would be worth considering a different time of year to travel; June marks the beginning of this season.

Similarly, Selous and Ruaha national park are likely to be closed due to arrival only being possible using bush runways.

Zanzibar is probably at its wettest in April due to the Kusi monsoon winds bringing in high levels of precipitation and therefore is not the best time to combine your safari with a break on the island.

Visiting Tanzania in June

On the whole, June sees the start of the best season to visit all areas of Tanzania. The dry season begins and clear skies and sunshine perpetuate. Flora is still in bloom during this time too so you don’t have the dry, barren landscapes of the later months.

This pleasant climate does mean, however, that prices rise significantly too. The list below shows the averages for the Serengeti throughout the month and the comparative average rainfall in Zanzibar

Wildebeest stop at Grumeti River to build up numbers before they attempt the river crossing in their thousands. This will lead to an easy spotting of the predators when hunting.

Safety in numbers means many traverse the crossing successfully, however, if you’re in the right place at the right time you may spot a crocodile attempting to take down a wildebeest that it has set its sights on.

June Climatic Averages

• Day time maximum temperature 27 degrees centigrade
• Night time minimum temperature 15 degrees centigrade
• Average amount of rainfall 31 millimetres
• Average number of sunshine hours 8 hours
• Average amount of rainfall (Zanzibar) 60 millimetres

Daytime temperatures usually sit around 25-30°C but mornings and nights will be somewhat cooler. Remember to bring plenty of layers with you as when you have the wind rushing past you on your safari vehicle you will feel the chill.

As the sun comes out to dry up the landscapes, Katavi and Mahale become accessible once again. This makes them an excellent addition to the northern parks circuit. Katavi is home to large buffalo herds which are easily spotted in the open landscapes, made even easier as they graze down the grasses further.

The Zanzibar International Film Festival takes place in June which is run by an NGO and supports local arts and culture.

Visiting Tanzania in July

Winter continues in Tanzania in July with constant clear skies and warm days. This is the driest month of all in Tanzania only receiving an average of 13mm rain all month!

This does mean that the ground is very dry which creates clouds of dust when driving through the plains. It may be beneficial to take a light scarf to use when out on game drives to cover yourself and we would also recommend wearing sunglasses.

The chart below shows the averages for the Serengeti throughout the month and the comparative average rainfall in Zanzibar

July does see the temperatures get to their lowest during early mornings and nights but this is very unlikely to dip below 12-14°C

July Climatic Averages

• Day time maximum temperature 26 degrees centigrade
• Night time minimum temperature 14 degrees centigrade
• The average amount of rainfall is 13 millimeters
• The average number of sunshine hours is 8 hours
• The average amount of rainfall (Zanzibar) is 30 millimeters

If you want to travel but want to avoid the large crowds, head to the southern and western parks. These always remain relatively quiet but have arguably as good wildlife viewing as the northern parks.

This is even more relevant if you want to see chimpanzees. Mahale Mountains National Park and Gombe National Park have the highest number of wild chimpanzees and are home to some of the most important research into these creatures of all time.

July to October is the ideal time to visit and you can relax on the shores of Lake Tanganyika after a day out on safari.

Following on from the ZIFF (Zanzibar International Film Festival) Stone Town continues its celebrations with the Zanzibar Cultural Festival involving traditional dance, arts and crafts, and taarab music. 

Visiting Tanzania in August

As the climate continues to be dry and warm, landscapes become arid and waterholes start to dwindle. Foliage becomes sparse which makes game viewing even easier than in previous months and many of the plains’ grasses will have been grazed down by herds of buffalo and antelope over the summer.

Although wildebeest and zebra are likely to have moved on to Kenya during this time, other animals and predators will still be present in Tanzania.

The chart below shows the averages for the Serengeti throughout the month and the comparative average rainfall in Zanzibar.

August Climatic Averages

• Day time maximum temperature 27 degrees centigrade
• Night time minimum temperature 15 degrees centigrade
• Average amount of rainfall 28 millimetres
• Average number of sunshine hours 8 hours
• Average amount of rainfall (Zanzibar) 30 millimetres

If you want a variety of activities while on safari, head to Selous and Ruaha in August which offer combinations of walking and boating safaris as well as day and night game drives.

These parks still remain relatively quiet even though they have so much to offer. The pleasant temperatures only help to enhance your experience and mean you can make the most of your days.

Zanzibar is the picturesque idyllic coastal destination at this time with bright blue skies and warm white sands.

You can enjoy snorkelling and sunbathing followed by a sumptuous meal of fresh seafood while watching a traditional African sunset. 

As this is still a very popular time to visit it will be important to book your trip and accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Visiting Tanzania in September

Peak season. The end of the migration is still in the north, with herds on both sides of the Kenya and Tanzania borders and high numbers of elephant in Tarangire. The northern circuit can be very busy, but it is less busy in the south, so for those who want to avoid crowds it’s best to visit the southern parks.

Events & Festivals

The Great Migration river crossings (July to September): This is your best chance to observe herds of animals in their hundreds as they cross Tanzania’s rivers on their epic migration across the continent.

Visiting Tanzania in October

Peak season. The migration is now in Kenya, but the game viewing in central Serengeti is still very good. Southern parks are particularly rewarding at this time of year.

Visiting Tanzania in November

Short rains. This is a great time to take advantage of low season rates and is still a popular time to travel. The rains tend to be overnight, but there is a risk of rain during the day as well. Migrating herds are starting to travel south from Kenya, so crossings can be seen in the north of the Serengeti.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands.

Visiting Tanzania in December

There is a chance of rain, but this is generally overnight. Temperatures and humidity start to build. Safari is good, with migrating herds in the north traveling south to Ndutu. The festive season can be very busy and needs to be planned well in advance to ensure availability.

Events & Festivals

Green Season (November to March): Tanzania’s Green Season offers superb birdwatching opportunities, with migratory birds arriving in their thousands