The Best Time to Visit Tanzania - A Deep Dive into the 3 Main Seasons
Tanzania is a tropical country where the climate varies by region and altitude. It has such a diverse landscape that its northern area offers a surprisingly temperate climate compared to the hot, humid eastern shore and beach areas.
And while peak tourist season in Tanzania is the dry season (from July to October), the best time to visit Tanzania will depend on what you have in mind for your trip. Are you going for the calving season in the southern Serengeti or the river crossings to the north, or do you wish to see the Big Five in quieter settings? Is your dream to visit the Mahale National Park to see the chimps or to scuba dive in the Indian Ocean waters of Zanzibar?
The rainy season largely dictates the locations and movements of the animals throughout the year, meaning your chances of fulfilling your wildlife wish list increase and decrease depending on the season.
So, we've put together an overview of what you can expect from the weather and wildlife in Tanzania as the months and seasons go by. And while any weather reporting and wildlife movement reports are subject to change, understanding what's happening and when will give you the best shot at fulfilling your expectations on safari.
Tanzania - Three Main Seasons
Aside from the usual fluctuations in seasonal starts and finishes, Tanzania has three main seasons:
The Dry Season (June to October)
The Shoulder Season (November to February)
The Rainy Season (March to May)
June to October - The best time to see the river crossings of the Great Migration
One of Tanzania's most popular attractions is the Great Wildebeest Migration, during which almost two million animals are on the move in search of food and water. And to view this spectacle, hundreds of thousands of people travel to the Northern Serengeti between July - October, others to the Grumeti Rivers in the Western Corridor in anticipation of the river crossings. Vast numbers of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra will mass along the banks, the rivers teeming with predators lying in wait. Finally, driven forward by the pressure behind them and the need to get to the other side, the animals leap into the water, and a life-or-death dash begins.
During these months, the weather is cool and dry; the sun is shining, and wild animals tend to gather around the remaining water sources. The wildebeest herds are on a migration cycle, looking for food and water; this will be the best time to view wildlife in the greatest number.
You'll see lots of safari jeeps in the park at this time of year. Most camps and lodges will be jam-packed, and you can expect to pay premium prices due to the high demand.
End of December to March (Calving Season)
From the end of December until March, the calving season is in full swing in the plains of the Southern Serengeti, when the ranks of wildebeest give birth to thousands of calves each day attracting plenty of predators. It is the time and place of year where predator density is at its highest and you have the best chances of seeing predator-prey interaction.
February can be the best month to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. It's hot down at the mountain's base, but the nights will be their most comfortable up at the top.
Even with the occasional shower or cooling trade winds offering brief respites from the heat, this is a hot time of year across the Serengeti. High-season prices apply from mid-December to mid-January.
March to May - Green Season
Tanzania's "green season," between March and May, is much quieter. While there's always a chance of rain, it's a fantastic time for birdwatching as migratory species arrive in their thousands.
Heavy downpours during these months will make the lush landscape green and the roads muddy. It is low season, so expect heavy discounts from some lodges and camps. The best thing to do is bird watching and walking in the parks. The only time people tend to avoid Tanzania is between April and May when heavy rains can disrupt wildlife viewing but the sun will still come out between showers.
How Tanzania Changes Month to Month
As mentioned, your plans will need to revolve around which animals you really want to spot during your safari. The weather, the Great Migration, the availability of water resources, grasslands, etc., all tie together in an elegant but very complex cycle. This cycle will transform the landscape, impacting every aspect of sightseeing and safari travel in multiple ways.
To understand this more, let us look at how Tanzania changes throughout the year.
January
January is hot and dry throughout Tanzania and a good time for hiking or sun baking on white-sand beaches. If you enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving, there's a good chance you'll see whale sharks off of Mafia Island to the south of Zanzibar from November to March. And, of course, January marks the beginning of the wildebeest calving season in the Ndutu plains of the Southern Serengeti ecosystem.
The sheer number of wildebeest converging here will astound visitors, as up to an astonishing 8,000 calves are born each day. The males encircle the females to protect as many of the herd as possible from the circling prey. Did you know wildebeest calves can start walking on their own just hours after birth?
February
The heat continues in February, but with occasional showers to cool things off. These random showers lead to a greener landscape and much sought-after new grass, especially for the hundreds of thousands of animals in the Southern Serengeti for calving season. Birds rejoice in the showers, and visitors will delight in their merry chirping.
If you're opting to hit the beaches in February, don't miss the Sauti za Busara music festival in Zanzibar and vibe to Tanzanian pop and hip-hop. The Kitulo National Park, close to the Zambia/Malawi borders, will be in full bloom, with colorful orchids and other rare flowers and birds around this time. Or, if you're looking for something far more ambitious, sign up for the Kilimanjaro Marathon.
March
In March, the wildebeest will still be in southern Serengeti. Calving continues through the month, and for the younglings, this is the time for them to eat, grow, and gain strength for the migration ahead. If you prefer solitude and hope to enjoy a more peaceful safari without the crowds, this is the right time to visit Tanzania.
April
April signals the official arrival of the rainy season. Expect steady rainfall throughout the month. The roads become muddy, sometimes unpassable. As mentioned, lodgings will be at a deep discount, with many of the most popular destinations lightly trafficked. If you don't mind a little rain, you can have the whole place almost to yourself!
The rains bring lush green pastures for the animals and colorful wildflowers to attract hundreds of species of birds. Meanwhile, the wildebeest are forming herds for their migration north in their endless quest for the green pastures. It's a great time to visit and observe these majestic beasts in a relatively peaceful setting.
May
You can still expect rain in May, specifically in Zanzibar. But if you're in Dar es Salaam in May, head for the Mzalendo Halisi Music Festival for some traditional Tanzanian music by local performers showcasing their musical talents. And if you're into marathons, don't miss the Ruaha Marathon in Iringa in southern Tanzania, held in the third week of May every year.
June
The rainy season is officially over in June. The air is cooler and crisper, and the land begins to dry. The wildebeest migration continues north, following just behind the rain, across the Serengeti in search of food and water. By now, the herds are gigantic and have started attracting crowds of tourists from around the globe.
If you're flexible, you can attend the annual Bulabo Dance Festival held at the Sukuma Museum in the small town of Bujora, west of the Serengeti. Or, to the east, the Zanzibar International Film Festival is on at the Old Fort in Stone Town this month. If you're a movie buff, don’t miss this event.
July
In July, the dry season is now officially underway. Vast numbers of wildebeest, antelope and zebra crowd around the dwindling water resources, making it easy to spot all of them in one place. This is the peak tourist season, so you'll be in a crowd too, and you can expect high prices for lodging and travel. Some wildebeest herds are heading north to the Maasai Mara in Kenya, while others stay on the Tanzania side, crossing back and forth. And to the southeast of Lake Manyara, the Tarangire National Park offers one of the last places animals can still find water. Here you'll have the chance to view abundant wildlife, including huge herds of the mighty African Elephant.
This is the right time to visit Tanzania if you are interested in watching the wildlife in plain sight and up close. And if you want to avoid the crowds, visit the remote parks in the south, like Ruaha and Nyerere National Park.
August
The dry weather is still the norm and leads the wildebeest north and across the daunting Mara River and into Kenya. As the most difficult of the river crossings, it's an event of high drama as the wildebeest stampede across a river full of circling predators. Only the strongest and fastest wildebeest survive the crossing. So, if this is the action-packed, nail-biting wildlife excitement you're looking for, this is the time and place to be on safari.
This is also a wonderful time to go flamingo-watching at nearby Lake Natron, as they're arriving in large flocks in search of food and shelter.
Coastal waters are very clear at this time of the year, so if you love snorkeling or diving, it's an excellent time to visit the eastern shore or islands off the coast. Some islands have set up protection zones for turtle hatchlings, and visitors can view these areas from a safe distance that protects their nesting areas.
September
The weather continues to be ideal in September, pleasant and well-suited for trekking, exploring the beaches, and other fun, sightseeing activities. If you have Kilimanjaro on your bucket list, this is one of the best times to take on that big adventure. The Mara River crossings are still in progress, and if you want the chance to see nature in action right before your very eyes, now's the time.
October
October is the month that Tanzania moves out of peak tourist season. But it is still dry and a good time for trekking and wildlife-spotting, but without the hustle and bustle of tourist crowds. The wildebeest migration herds are now returning from Kenya starting their trek back to the southern plains of the Serenegti.
And with the dry weather, it's the best time to go chimpanzee trekking in Mahale Mountains National Park, in western Tanzania, on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika. Accessible only by water from a local airport, visitors to the park can enjoy boating, fishing, or trekking along the lush mountainside. And as a foremost chimpanzee sanctuary, visitors will see chimps in their natural habitat and enjoy this remote national park's quiet yet dramatic beauty.
November
November brings a short rainy season to Tanzania. But, unlike April and May, the November rains are brief and sporadic. A wonderful time for birdwatching since these many feathered friends migrate from the North in search of greenery.
December
December is a holiday month, and since it's reasonably dry, many people like to visit Tanzania during this time. It's a good time for visitors to spot wildebeest in the southern Serengeti as the animals move south for the upcoming calving season. And more and more trekkers are heading for Kilimanjaro or other nearby peaks.
If you visit during the first week of December, don't miss the Swahili Fashion Week in Dar es Salaam, the most prestigious fashion event in Africa. And if you're looking for the beach, it's a great month for visiting Zanzibar, as the temperatures are slowly rising. The days around Christmas and New Years are busy again, and prices are spiking, so we advise you to book ahead.
Let Us Help
Tanzania is one of Africa's most popular destinations for a good reason. With the continent’s highest peak, beautiful white-sand beaches, the best chimpanzee trekking and the Big Five, unique experiences abound. Visitors only need to know whether the time of year they can vacation—or their wish list—will set the itinerary.
We completely understand the challenge of working through an abundance of appealing choices! No one wants to miss a rare opportunity that is difficult to duplicate anywhere else. That's why we encourage you to contact us with your questions on how to best plan your itinerary to fit the time of year you'll travel with the list of activities closest to your heart. Let us help you make your visit to Tanzania a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Related Reads:
A Brief History of Tanzania: A Traveler's Guide