When to Visit Tanzania

Tanzania is a year-round safari destination, but each season offers something different. Here is how the year usually looks in the parks we visit, so you can choose the timing that suits your trip.

June to October: the long dry season

This is the classic safari season. Vegetation thins, animals gather around rivers and waterholes, and game viewing is at its most reliable across the Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara) and the Southern Circuit (Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi). In the northern Serengeti, July to October is the time of the Mara River crossings. Days are sunny and nights can be cool, especially on the Ngorongoro highlands. It is also the busiest and most expensive period, so we recommend booking early.

November and December: the short rains

Short afternoon showers return and the landscape turns green. The wildebeest herds move south towards the southern Serengeti. Prices start to ease and the parks are quieter, apart from the Christmas holidays.

January to March: green season and the calving

A warm, mostly dry spell between the rains. Around Ndutu and the southern Serengeti, hundreds of thousands of wildebeest give birth, usually peaking in February, which draws lions, cheetahs and hyenas. It is an excellent time for photography and birding, and a good time to combine a safari with Zanzibar.

April and May: the long rains

The heaviest rains of the year. Some lodges close, and a few roads, especially in the south, can be difficult. In return you will find the lowest prices, very few vehicles and beautiful green scenery. Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire remain rewarding.

Climbing Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru

The best climbing conditions are in the drier months: January to early March, and June to October. Climbing is possible in other months, but trails are wetter and summit views less reliable. See our guide to the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar is warm all year. June to October and December to February are the driest and most popular months for the beach. April and May are the wettest.

Not sure when to go?

Tell us what you would most like to see and when you are free to travel, and our team will suggest the best timing and route for you. Talk to us about your dates.