Best time to visit Tanzania

Visit Tanzania in January for sightings of newborn wildlife. The temperature remains high throughout the month, with a chance of rain, as wildebeest calving season commences in the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater (a UNESCO World Heritage site). As January falls within the shoulder season, expect fewer crowds across Tanzania’s national parks and enjoy lush green landscapes brought to life by December’s short rains.

February is hot and humid, with the possibility of rain. Head to the Ndutu plains and the southern Serengeti to witness the birth of wildebeest calves, or visit Lake Manyara National Park to see migratory birds like flamingos and white storks. The annual Kilimanjaro Marathon, which takes place in the town of Moshi against the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, also occurs at this time of year.

March marks Tanzania’s low season for travel. Expect a tropical climate across the country and increasing rain showers later in the month. Enjoy the best weather in early March and head to the Grumeti River on a wildlife safari to catch sight of the herds as they leave the Ndutu plains and go west. Grab your binoculars and make your way to Tarangire National Park for excellent bird-watching opportunities during March’s dry spells.

April heralds the long rains. While this is not the prime time for a safari, as the Big Five will be challenging to spot, you can enjoy some brilliant bird watching, particularly in Lake Manyara National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania which are home to magnificent birds of prey from eagles to vultures. If you want to escape the rain, mooch around the museums, bars and restaurants of Dar es Salaam for a more cultural taste of Tanzania.

Heavy rainfall continues into May, making it a great opportunity to tick some cultural sights off your list. To shelter from the showers, visit Dar es Salaam’s National Museum or Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society. Although we don’t recommend booking your safari during this month, you can listen out for Tanzania’s annual Mzalendo Halisi Festival, a two-day music event held in northwest Dar es Salaam.

In late June the dry season begins. Expect bright skies, minimal humidity and cool, comfortable temperatures. This is one of the best times to visit Tanzania for safaris. Travel to Serengeti National Park to watch wildlife congregate around watering holes and rivers. The cool, dry climate is also excellent hiking weather, making it an ideal time of year to challenge yourself to the multi-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Meru. However, be sure to book your trip well in advance as June attracts increasing numbers of visitors and sees prices rise.

July is the peak season for travel to Tanzania, and for good reason. The dry season continues with low humidity and minimal rainfall, providing the ideal climate for wildlife spotting. In Selous Game Reserve, head out on game drives by day to encounter the ‘Big Five’ then kick back at your luxurious safari camp in the evening and enjoy the cool nighttime temperatures. For a coastal getaway, take advantage of the clear skies and relax on Zanzibar’s powdery white sand beaches.

August is one of the best times to visit Tanzania to see the Great Migration – one of nature’s most spectacular shows. The climate is cool and dry, and you can observe millions of wildebeest cross the Mara River as the famed migration reaches the northern Serengeti. Additionally, film buffs should keep a lookout for Zanzibar’s International Film Festival, which falls in late July or early August and is one of Zanzibar’s biggest cultural events.

September’s dry climate means safari season is at its all-time high. To escape the crowds congregating in the northern parks (where many visitors go to witness the migration), travel to Ruaha and Nyerere in the south. The bush dries out in September, due to limited rainfall, which makes it easier to spot animals. If you’re an avid hiker, head to Mahale Mountains National Park to make the most of the dry conditions and track chimpanzees on a sunny trek.

October marks the end of peak season in Tanzania. Take advantage of the dry weather and visit Tarangire National Park for a chance to spot awe-inspiring wildlife or head to Zanzibar’s beautiful beaches before the rain arrives. Keen to see a different perspective? Enjoy the last of the dry climate and hike up one of Tanzania’s many mountains.

Visitors can enjoy low season rates as the short rains arrive in November. Showers are brief and mostly occur overnight, allowing visitors to enjoy wildlife spotting throughout the day. Head to Lake Natron to watch flocks of flamingos arriving for breeding season, or dive into the waters of Mafia Island for a chance to see whale sharks.

The short rains continue into December, with afternoon showers transforming the vegetation into flourishing shades of green. The temperature remains warm throughout December, making it an ideal time to observe the Great Migration arriving across the Ndutu plains, as the herds travel from the north at the end of the month.