Best Time To Visit Tanzania

What’s different above the seasons of Tanzania is that there aren’t exact four seasons, to say the least. The East – African country lies close to the equator and the Best Time To Visit Tanzania is almost all year round. But if you still wish to understand the most appropriate time for Tanzania Safari Tours we have the best climate, season, and weather guide presented here for you. We have elaborated what are some of the best activities you can plan whether you visit the country in summer or winter and we have analysed the temperature and precipitation of the country in detail as well.

Tanzania Seasons - The Highs & Lows

“Similar to the journey of life, Tanzanian Seasons face the highs and lows as well – Here’s how!”

Implying the country has two distinct seasons – the High season or the dry season from mid-June to mid-October and the Low season or the wet rainy season from January to February and again from November to December.

Best Time For Safari In Tanzania is during the high seasons as the weather is pleasant serving greater wildlife visibility. You can look out for extraordinary wildebeest movement in the Serengeti during June and July. These are the Best Month For Tanzania Safari. An exceptional time to witness wildebeest calving in February.

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 Travellers 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. Travellers 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.

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.

A destination wise analysis of Temperature and Precipitation has been done below:

As you can see in the above table the average temperature is lowest on Mount Kilimanjaro with an average rainfall of 68 mm – 296 mm. The highest Temperature is witnessed in Dar es Salaam where the rainfall varies from 23 mm – 256 mm.

Tanzania Temperature:

The below graph analyses the average temperature especially in the region of Arusha:

As you can see in the above graph the highest temperature is witnessed in October, November and December. The Lowest temperature is witnessed in the Months from June – September.

Tanzania Rainfall

The following graph analyses the rainfall pattern in the country especially in Arusha

As you can see in the above graph the highest precipitation is experienced in April. March, April and May is the period of high rainfall with precipitation ranging from 80 – 160mm. Another short rainy season is from November – December when the rainfall ranges from 70 – 80 mm.

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 behaviour. 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.

Winter Activities In Tanzania

During the winter months, the average rainfall in Tanzania is about 95 mm. Rise in humidity is what visitors have to expect during these months.

Witness the wildebeest calving

Dry and hot periods are the summers of the Northern periphery of Tanzania. You can witness the most beautiful period of wildebeest calving in the Serengeti National Park. This is the period when the wildebeests would have migrated to the south from Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya as a part of the wildebeest migration cycle. There are around 10,000 newborns that take birth in the park at a given point of time.

Sauti za Busara Music festival

The Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar is one of the biggest music festivals in Africa. This music festival offers sounds of wisdom as it is known in the local Swahili. A festival is a four-day event which is conducted annually. Artists from across the Continent participate to promote the pan -African artistry to the rest of the world in this festival.

Run a Marathon

In the vicinity of Kilimanjaro foothills, a marathon is organized in March. Tanzania Government promotes sports and athletics through these marathon activities. The participants come from across the world annually joining the event. The first ten winners take home a cash prize and a medal.

e on some spicy meat at the barbeque festival

Family recipes are what determine the rich African culture and traditions. Amazing food and the family recipes are celebrated in the barbeque festival called Nyama Choma where grilled meat which is a major part of African cuisine is prepared in the most aromatic and fiery style. The delicious food components that are celebrated at the festival is a great attraction for all travellers.

Wander the House of Wonders

Visit the House of Wonders which is an ancient building that has received electricity and luxuries like elevators first in the history of Tanzania. Displaying the gorgeous architecture of a mixture of British, Persian, Portuguese and Zanzibari style of engineering, the building a beautiful attraction for many in the winter months.

Summer Activities In Tanzania

In the afternoon hours the temperature in Tanzania ranges from 20°C/68°F and 30°C/86°F, and varies according to the altitude and location. This is the Best Time To Visit Tanzania as you can explore the following activities:

Visit the Ngorongoro Crater

You can visit the Ngorongoro Crater which is inscribed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. Once a gigantic volcano that erupted 3 million years ago, this crater today stands as one of the largest inactive calderas on Earth, hosting beautiful scenery and many wildlife species, such as the black rhinos, elephants, hyenas, leopards, and the majestic black-manned lions.

ne with nature at Serengeti National Park

One of the most beautiful national parks that Africa has to offer is Serengeti. It is so popular that sometimes Best Safari In Tanzania and Serengeti are used interchangeably. Home to some of the best wildlife on Serengeti offers some of the best views all around the year, but the Best Time To Visit Tanzania especially Serengeti is during summer in Tanzania.

Spend your time on the turquoise beaches of Zanzibar

For water sports enthusiasts, there is good news! When the temperature goes soar in Tanzania, you can beat the heat by taking time out and relaxing on the Zanzibar islands. The crystal clear and blue and turquoise-hued water of the island is great for family outings and spending time on the beach.

Conquer Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro is the perfect destination for any adrenaline junkie or an experienced mountain climber. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro up to 19,340 feet that host about 75,000 people every single year is a great experience.

Witness the Great Migration

Serengeti is known for the “The Great Migration” where over 2 million ungulates follow the rain and make their way to explore other pastures. You can easily witness the wildebeests, zebras, eland and gazelles across the savannah in Tanzania. It is truly a wonderful experience. The Best Time To See Serengeti Migration is from July to September.

Frequently Asked Questions About Winter In Tanzania

Having queries about the Best Time to Visit Tanzania? Jerry Tanzania Tours is here to help!

• Does it snow in Tanzania in winter?
• Yes, you can experience snow but only on the summits of the mountains in the winters in Tanzania.
• When is winter in Tanzania?
• No. Due to the proximity to the equator, Tanzania offers only two seasons (rainy and dry seasons) unlike the four calendar seasons elsewhere in the world.
• What is the rainfall pattern in Tanzania like?
• The rainfall pattern in Tanzania varies from region to region. The excessive humidity influences the North and east Tanzanian rains which has two rainfall seasons (Nov-Dec and March-May) while the Southern region has a single prolonged rainy season (December to May). You may also experience some early morning showers that are generally followed by a very sunny afternoon.

The weather is wonderful, the climate is joyful and the travel season is here. But where are you? Don’t waste any more time in deciding how you could spend your holidays in Tanzania.

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 Jerry Tanzania Tours. 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.

Contact Jerry Tanzania Tours now to start planning the best bespoke travel itinerary that adds great value to money. Tanzania is waiting for you! And so are we. Call us now!