Best Times to Visit Tanzania
Overview
The main travel seasons for northern Tanzania are mid-December to mid-March and July to October. Months with increased rainfall are November (“short rainy season”) and mid-March – mid-May (“long rainy season”). During this time, however, it does not rain continuously, but short, heavy rains quickly make way for the sun again and often create grandiose moods in the sky and clear air where there was previously haze and dust.
Outside the main tourist seasons, there are fewer tourists, but the wildlife and landscapes are no less spectacular. In the dry season from July to October, the animals are more concentrated, often easier to spot in shorter grass and the predators more active. From November to June, the landscape is greener and the image of the large herds in the wide short grass plains is very impressive.
What the Best Times to Visit Tanzania
The animal migrations of the herds can be encountered throughout the year during a Serengeti safari. The movements of the herds are controlled by climatic conditions and are therefore “unpredictable”. But we always adjust the routes of our game drives during a safari to the current location of the migration. It is roughly true that the wildebeest and zebra herds are most likely to be as follows.
- January to mid-May: South Serengeti and West Ngorongoro (Ndutu, Lake Lagarja).
- Mid-May to June: Western Serengeti (Kirawira, Western Corridor)
- July to October: North Serengeti and Masai Mara (Kenya)
- November to December: Central Serengeti (Seronera, Moru)
As the expectations of our guests are very different, we would like to show you the advantages of the respective months:
January to March
If you want to see as many animals as possible, the best time to travel is after the short rainy season from 20 December to March. During this time, all the animals of the Great Migration are in the low grass plains of the southern Serengeti (Ndutu). Between 22 December to 10 January, however, hotel prices rise to a maximum as this is the busiest time of the year. From 10 January, the shoulder season begins until the end of March and prices return to normal.
April to May
These two months are the long rainy season and somewhat less popular as a travel time for many guests. A lot of rain falls during this period. They are mostly short, heavy showers, after which the sun shines again. However, weather remains weather – unfortunately there are no guarantees. Travelling during the rainy season in Tanzania is worthwhile mainly because of the beautiful nature, which you can often enjoy without other tourists. Hotels & lodges in Tanzania are cheapest during this time.
June to October
If you want to see as many animals as possible, the best time to travel is after the short rainy season from 20 December to March. During this time, all the animals of the Great Migration are in the low grass plains of the southern Serengeti (Ndutu). Between 22 December to 10 January, however, hotel prices rise to a maximum as this is the busiest time of the year. From 10 January, the shoulder season begins until the end of March and prices return to normal.
November to December
During the short rainy season in November, short, heavy showers often occur. However, this is not a reason for most people not to go to Tanzania. During this period, temperatures of +/- 30 °C prevail during the day. For this reason, November is somewhat outside the most popular time to travel in Tanzania, but it is definitely recommended to travel to Tanzania during this month.
Zanzibar, Mafia Island or Pemba Island
If you want to add a beach holiday to your safari on one of the three islands in the Indian Ocean belonging to Tanzania, this is recommended all year round with the exception of the “big rainy season” (end of March to May). The temperature and humidity are most pleasant from July to October, while between December and March it can get quite hot with high humidity.
