Best Time For Tanzania Safari

When To Visit

Tanzania's Wildlife Safaris

Tanzania offers an extraordinary safari experience at any time of the year, with the ideal season depending on what you wish to see and do. If you prefer a peaceful and intimate adventure, the wet season (March to May and November to December) is a wonderful choice, offering fewer crowds and a tranquil atmosphere where you might feel like you have entire lodges and landscapes to yourself. During this time, the parks are lush and green, perfect for photography, and it’s a great opportunity to see newborn animals. For those drawn to vibrant landscapes and mild weather, October and November are especially magical, as the short rains bring out nature’s vivid colors and rejuvenate the wilderness. On the other hand, if witnessing the dramatic river crossings of the Great Migration in the Serengeti is your dream, the dry season, particularly July and August, is the ultimate time to visit. Each season offers unique highlights, ensuring an unforgettable Tanzanian safari whenever you choose to go.

Great Migration months

The Great Migration is an ongoing and year-round phenomenon, but specific months provide a better opportunity to witness its most spectacular moments. The search for water and grazing drives the migration. The best time to observe the meg-herd is during the dry season from July to October, when the wildebeest and zebra migrate northwards, massing on the plains bordering the Mara River. Eventually, they take the plunge through the treacherous crocodile-infested waters, only to face lion, cheetah, and other predators in Kenya’s Masai Mara. This long journey is what adventurers come to witness. By late September, the herds are starting to move southwards again, back through the dangerous waters as they make their way towards the birthing grounds of the short grass plains in the southern Serengeti. From mid-December to mid-March the herds are once again concentrated and bunched, creating a visually spectacular wildlife experience.
When To Visit

Monthy By Month Breakdown

January - March

These early months of the year are typically the hottest time of year in Tanzania (peaking in February). This season is generally dry, and is one of the most popular times for safaris. Parks may feel a bit crowded, especially around the New Year.

Animals may be seen crowding around rivers and lakes for water, as other sources dry up.

Tarangire National Park is especially popular during this time, as zebras and gazelles come to the Tarangire River for water, and are soon followed by predators, such as lions and leopards, making this a major destination to spot all kinds of wildlife.

March - May

Mid-March through May is the “long rainy season”, marked by nights and mornings of rain. Typically, the sun makes an appearance in the afternoon and evenings are serene and peaceful. The rains make everything lush, green and the animals are lively and active in the parks, with adequate sources of water everywhere.

However, some rough roads in the parks may be impassible, due to flooding or deep mud. Main roads in the parks are typically fine, and several parks, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, have many sections of road which are paved and will not have any issues with driving.

This season sees significantly fewer tourists, and nearly all of the accommodations offer discounts for the low season. Guests who don’t mind rainy mornings have shared that their safari during the rainy season felt like an intimate, secluded adventure because they felt like they had the whole park to themselves to watch the incredibly active animals in the damp, green forests.

June - September

This period is considered the “cold” season in Tanzania. While for locals, the weather is cold (and you will see people wearing winter coats and hats), those visiting from other climates find the weather pleasant and fresh. Bring a jacket for chilly mornings, but afternoons are nice and generally sunny, and the weather is dry during this time.

This is another popular travel season in Tanzania, with many visitors in the national parks.

If you’re not a fan of hot weather, this is the ideal time to visit during Tanzania’s dry season. This is also a common time for viewing the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park.

October - December

The short rains generally fall sometime between October and December, and the weather gets warmer as the end of the year approaches. October is also the time when the jacaranda trees across East Africa bloom – a truly beautiful spectacle of trees crowned with purple flowers. In December the Flame Trees blossom, turning a vibrant red just before Christmas.

Christmas is a popular time for tourists to visit Tanzania and often the short rains have stopped by mid-December as well. Many visitors plan something special to mark the holiday season, such as summiting Mount Kilimanjaro to commemorate the day. Hotels and lodges may serve a special holiday meal for guests.

The weather in December is usually considered ideal, however, parks and accommodations may feel more congested than other times of the year.

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