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Best Time To Visit Tanzania

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Tanzania, a jewel in East Africa, offers breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. From the Serengeti’s vast plains to the stunning beaches of Zanzibar, it’s a traveler’s paradise. Knowing the best time to visit enhances your experience significantly.

High or Peak SeasonLow or Green Season
About June to October (long dry season)About January to March and November to December
Highest ratesLowest rates
Need to book well in advanceNo need to book too far in advance
Cool and dry weatherHot and occasionally wet weather
Not many baby animals aroundLots of baby animals around
Most crowdedLeast crowded
Good photography conditionsGreenest, most scenic landscapes with the best light of the year for photography

You can plan for your Zanzibar Beach Holiday, small day trips, or an expedition on Kilimanjaro in the High season. It is better to climb in the dry season as the mountain offers some drastic challenges during the wet season. The high seasons are generally considered the Best Season To Visit Tanzania.

When To See The Wildebeest Migration In The Serengeti

What Attracts Thousands Of Travelers Worldwide To Serengeti? It’s The Great And Magnificent Wildebeest Migration

The Great Migration is one of the headline attractions of Tanzania which occurs year-round across the Serengeti. Travelers worldwide flock here in large numbers between July and September to get a glimpse of the greatest annual mammal movement in Africa!

You will see huge herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River — saving themselves from the jaws of crocodiles and other predators that are just waiting to pounce at them. Experts suggest that the most appropriate time for wildebeest migration encounter: January & February.

Which Time To Avoid Visiting In Tanzania? – April And May, As Heavy Rains Can Disrupt Wildlife Viewing

June-July-August-September is the most preferable time for general wildlife viewing. July to March is the most crowded in the national parks.

March and April is not-so-suitable weather as you encounter very fewer visitors due to heavy rainfall.

EventApproximate Time
Calving or Birthing SeasonJanuary to March
Intense Big Cat ActionJanuary to March
Rutting (a period of sexual excitement, reproductive activity and mating battles between males)January to March
Grumeti River CrossingsMay to July
Mara River CrossingsJuly to September

The Best Time To Visit Tanzania varies widely depending on what wildlife you’d like to spot. Rains dictate the country’s seasons and wildlife numbers so you’ll have a slightly different experience depending on when you choose to visit.

The ‘green season’ in Tanzania, is between November and March, and the weather is very much quieter. This is also considered the Best Time Of Year To Travel To Tanzania. You may experience rain showers, but the period is fantastic for bird watching and turns into a bird watcher’s paradise as migratory species arrive here in thousands.

The best time to visit Tanzania is from July to October when the country is at its driest. This coincides with the migration river crossings, however, all the parks offer amazing wildlife sightings at this time as the grasses and bushes are at their least dense.

 

Tanzania Climate – An Area Wise Analysis

Tanzania posited just south of the equator offers a tropical climate. For most of the country, the temperatures rarely drop below 20°C – except the highland area.

From November to February, is the hot seasons while from May to August are the colder months.

It is always rainy season somewhere in Tanzania except the winter months. There is a major rainfall from December to April In the north and northeast, while the rest of the country experiences rains between October and December and again from March to May.

Month By Month Climate Guide Tanzania:

How is it like to visit Tanzania in January?

The temperature is getting higher, there is a chance of rain, and the humidity has already started building. As rates are lower and safari is excellent this period is still great for your Tanzania Safari Tours. The migration herds are in the southeast of the Serengeti at this time of year for the calving season.

What invites you to Tanzania during January? Tanzania’s Green Season falls during this time and is superb for bird watching opportunities, as thousands of migratory birds arrive here during this period.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in February?

The migratory season continues in Ndutu even in February. The weather is hot and humid with a chance of rain.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in March?

This is the period when the migrating herds start to leave Ndutu and head west towards Grumeti River. This is the Low season and is the period just before the heavy rains. You can take advantage of the great prices during this time of year.

How is it like to visit Tanzania from April – May?

You should avoid this period as it rains torrentially in Tanzania during this time.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in June?

The arrival of the green season witnesses the lush grasses and bush making a wonderful time to travel – particularly for bird watchers. The parks are full of migratory birds especially in the south and the migration continues in the Grumeti area.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in July?

Marking the beginning of the peak season, July to October is a busy period in Tanzania. The Great Migration in the north of Serengeti starts moving towards Kenya, and the elephant starts to gather in Tarangire. With drier lands increasing temperature, game viewing becomes more fun during this time. Temperatures are in the high 20°Cs to early 30°Cs and the humidity are low.

What invites you to Tanzania during July – October? Watch the Great Migration river crossings and observe herds of animals in their hundreds as they cross Tanzania’s rivers on their epic migration across the continent.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in August?

August is another Peak season in Tanzania. The Migration is still in the north and the land becomes more parched, resulting in more predictable animal behavior. Game spotting in Ruaha becomes much easier as the dense bushes start drying out.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in September?

Marking another Peak season, September is the end of the migration which is still in the north, marking herds on both sides of the Kenya and Tanzania borders with a high number of an elephant in Tarangire.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in October?

The migration is now in Kenya, but October is another peak season as the game viewing in central Serengeti is still very good.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in November?

November marks the beginning of short rains. You can take advantage of this low season as the rates are lower but it is still a popular time to travel. There is however a risk of rain during the day as well. As the Migrating herds are starting to travel south from Kenya you will see crossings in the north of the Serengeti.

How is it like to visit Tanzania in December?

You may experience short rains generally at night. As the temperatures and humidity start to build this period is good for Tanzania Safari as the migrating herds in the north start travelling south to Ndutu. This is also the festive season and is therefore very busy.

 

Choose from our exclusive Safari Packing List Tanzania to carry all the right item on your trek and never miss anything. Tanzania Safari Cost is affordable and luxurious with us. You are provided with Tanzania Food that is delicious and authentic at the same time. Apply for your Tanzania Visa ahead of time to avoid any last-minute hassles.

Destinations

Tanzania Popular Tour Destinations

Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park is a large national park in northern Tanzania that stretches over 14,763 km (5,700 sq mi)

Ngorongoro

The world's largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera. The crater, which formed when a large volcano exploded

Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro's central cone, Kibo, rises to 19,340 feet (5,895 meters) and is the highest point in Africa.

Tarangire

Ranking as the 6th largest National Park in Tanzania and covering an area of 2,600 square kilometers

Lake Manyara

It covers an area of 325 km² including about 230 km² lake surface. More than 350 bird species have been observed on the lake.

Arusha National Park

Covers Mount Meru, a prominent volcano with an elevation of 4566 m, in the Arusha Region of north eastern Tanzania.