The Best Time To Visit Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania for a safari is during the dry season from late June to October.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Tanzania?
The best time to visit Tanzania for a safari is during the dry season from late June to October. Tanzania has two distinct rainy seasons: April to May (the ‘long rains’) and November to December (the ‘short rains’). Generally, the country’s ‘long rains’ produce tropical downpours in the afternoons and some safari camps may close. The ‘short rains’ bring about the occasional brief shower.
Most safari areas in Tanzania enjoy warm days and cool evenings year-round. While temperatures drop to below freezing on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the country’s Indian Ocean coast and lakeside regions are hot and humid.
The best time for a Tanzania safari will depend on where you want to go and what you want to see. For first-time safari goers, the best time to go to Tanzania is usually during the dry season, as wildlife is easier to track and spot. Whether you’re visiting Tanzania for the first time, understanding the difference between the safari high season vs low season is a great place to start.
Tanzania Safari High Vs Low Season
In addition to knowing what you want to see and experience, knowing when you intend to visit will also affect your plans for where to go in Tanzania.
When To See The Wildebeest Migration In The Serengeti
Note: the above are approximate dates only. The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the river crossings cannot be predicted, although they generally occur between May and September. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day! You can take a look at our detailed Wildebeest Migration guide for more information about this natural spectacle.
Month By Month Guide For Travelling To Tanzania:
Travelling To Tanzania During January To March
Visiting Tanzania In April & May
April is Tanzania’s wettest month, with frequent afternoon storms, high humidity, and overcast days, especially in the west and south, though it offers excellent value for travel.
Early May remains rainy, but conditions improve toward the end of the month as the dry season approaches, with the Great Migration moving toward the Serengeti’s western corridor.
Visiting Tanzania From June To August
Travelling To Tanzania During September And October
In September, tourist crowds begin to dissipate and there is still no rain, meaning humidity levels are low bringing fewer mosquitoes. September is another prime month for hikers wanting to conquer Kilimanjaro and for those in search of high numbers of elephants, the Tarangire National Park is where you will find them en masse. Plus, this month is the start of the fishing season in Tanzania’s great lake regions.
October sees the building of thunderclouds and the arrival of the first rains. Mahale Mountains National Park during this month is the best time to travel to Tanzania for chimpanzee encounters, and Lake Tanganyika is at its warmest. If you’re wanting to climb Mount Meru, this is the best month to visit Arusha National Park.
Visiting Tanzania In November & December
November and December are underrated months for a Tanzania safari, with short rains bringing brief afternoon showers, fewer crowds, and good year-round wildlife viewing in the northern parks.
December is excellent for birdwatching as migratory species arrive, while the Great Migration returns to the southern Serengeti, setting the stage for the upcoming calving season.
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