When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania? Tanzania has it all: wildlife, beaches, friendly people, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the Zanzibar Archipelago, all wrapped up in one adventurous, welcome package. There are wonderful wildlife parks all around the country, as well as a thriving safari sector. There are several possibilities to learn about Tanzania’s people wherever you go in the country, and cultural tourism programs to learn about the Maasai and Chagga tribes are readily available. Tanzania is one of Africa’s best countries, attracting a growing number of tourists from all over the world each year. Visitors who need or wish to travel on a safari tour in Tanzania should first learn about the optimum/best time to visit the nation in order to have an unforgettable safari vacation.
The best time to visit Tanzania is determined by visitors and tourist’s interest, what you want to see on your safari, and what you don’t want to see on your Tanzania safari vacation. Tanzania’s attractions and tourist activities vary based on the month of the year, and each month has its own distinct attractions and tourist activities to offer travelers on their Tanzania safari tour. If you want to go on a wildlife safari in Tanzania, you first need to figure out what kind of species you want to see. The rains influence the country’s seasons and wildlife populations, so depending on when you come, you’ll have a slightly different experience.
For the safari with the animals, The Great Migration, which takes place year-round over the Serengeti, is Tanzania’s main attraction. Many visitors come here between July and September to see vast herds of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River, which causes panic as they try to dodge crocodiles and other predators waiting to pounce. However, there will be a lot of cars in the park at this time of year. Tanzania’s “green season,” which runs from November to March, is much quieter for nature enthusiasts. While there is the potential for rain showers, it is an excellent time for birdwatching safari as thousands of migratory species arrive. Herds of the Great Migration with their newborn calves can also be seen at this time also. The only periods to avoid in Tanzania are in April and May, when heavy rains can cause wildlife viewing to be disrupted.
Though the best time to visit Tanzania is determined by the visitors’ or tourists’ interests, the long dry season, which runs from June to October, is regarded as the best time to visit Tanzania for several reasons, one of which is that it is the best time for wildlife viewing, beach vacations, and hiking safaris. Naturally, because these are peak tourism months, the parks will be busier, and some lodges and motels may charge upper rates. Consider going during the short rainy season, which runs from late October to December, if you prefer a more private experience. The following is the month-by-month guide along with the major attractions and events in Tanzania for visitors to choose which season/month is the best for them to visit Tanzania and which month suits your interest in going on a safari to Tanzania.
Tanzania in January
After the brief rains of November and December, temperatures begin to rise in January, making it a dry and hot month. There’s a potential for a few brief showers, but they’ll most likely happen at night. On the Ndutu Plains, its calving season, so visiting in January, especially towards the end of the month, is a terrific way to observe a lot of wildebeest. It’s also dry, including on Kilimanjaro, and the dry, mild season from December to February can be a good time to scale the mountain. There’s also a major festival going on in Zanzibar around this time—the Zanzibar Swahili Festival—so it’s also the best time for cultural tours to visit Tanzania.
Tanzania in February
The migration is continuing on the Ndutu Plains, on the border between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro, making now the greatest time to visit Tanzania if you want to view calving and larger numbers of predators. Also February is an excellent month for climbing Kilimanjaro, going on safari in the northern and southern parks, and taking a beach vacation in Zanzibar. Short rain showers are still possible, as they were in January, but they are more likely to occur at night. Another important festival taking place in Zanzibar this month is the Sauti za Busara, so if you appreciate cultural events, this is also the best time to visit Tanzania.
Tanzania in March
By late March, the lengthy rains are in full swing, though it rarely rains all day or every day. Some hotels close, but those that stay open offer low-season savings, and you’ll have a lot of space to yourself. This month, the migration begins to migrate west towards the Grumeti River. The beginning of the month is still ideal for trekking, safaris, and beach visits. However, as Tanzania enters the long rainy season, there is a greater possibility of rain towards the end of the month. The Kilimanjaro Marathon, the Nyama Choma Festival, and the Jalada Mobile Literary and Arts Festival are some of the major events in Tanzania during this time.
Tanzania in April
The long rainy season is in full swing in April. Traveling during this time is not recommended because torrential rains can disrupt scheduled excursions, while you can still experience some of the highlights of your safari. Climbing Kilimanjaro is more dangerous during this season, but if you can escape the mud, green vistas, wildflowers, and birds, as well as low-season costs, make this a wonderful time to visit Tanzania. Thousands of wildebeest herds gather and begin migrating north and west in search of food, creating a stunning sight. The start of the wildebeest migration is a major event in Tanzania at this time.
May in Tanzania:
May, like April, is a rainy month, making travel conditions difficult. While the thick greenery is lovely, it makes spotting wildlife more challenging. Also May is a rainy month in Zanzibar, making it a less desirable time to travel. The following are the major events that occurred in Tanzania during this period: The Mzalendo Halisi Music Festival.
June in Tanzania
The long rainy season finishes in early June, and Tanzania is coated in lush greenery, making it an ideal time for bird watching safari. For birding safaris and nature lovers, now is the best season to visit Tanzania. The savannah becomes drier at the end of the month, making it easier to spot wildlife. In June, the migration begins to move north from the Grumeti River. Apart from being a terrific time for bird-viewing and environmental lovers, the Bulabo Dance Festival takes place in Tanzania during this period.
July in Tanzania
The month of July marks the beginning of the peak travel season in Tanzania. The migration is heading towards Kenya, and elephants are gathering at Tarangire National Park. Visit the more remote parks on the southern safari circuit, such as Ruaha and Selous, to avoid the crowds and high season prices. Visitors are recommended to book as soon as possible to ensure their favorite lodge. July is also a wonderful month to visit Zanzibar because it is somewhat cooler than December to March but still dry. On the mainland, nights, evenings, and mornings can be chilly, so bring some warm clothes for early morning safari drives and sundowners in the bush. This month is considered the best time to visit Tanzania.
August in Tanzania
Together with July, it’s dry and cold. Tanzania is also an excellent place to visit or go on a safari in August. Wildlife begins to seek water sources, making their movements more predictable for guides and increasing your chances of sighting The Big Five. Flamingos also flock to Lake Natron, where they can find food and refuge in an otherwise eerie setting. Diving enthusiasts will be in their element from August to September, when the water is very clear. Turtles also hatch on the islands of the Indian Ocean at this time.
September in Tanzania
September is a lovely month in Tanzania, with moderate temperatures, dry weather, decent animal sightings, and plenty of things to do, such as visiting the country’s stunning beaches or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s yet another fantastic (best) month to travel to Tanzania. September is a busy month, and prices remain high. Wildebeest and zebra migratory herds are dispersed across the Serengeti. The Bagamoyo International Festival of Arts and Culture is the main event in Zanzibar Tanzania at this time.
October in Tanzania
The weather has been largely dry across the country, with some rain and a profusion of lavender jacaranda blossoms in higher-lying towns. Without the throngs of July and August, it’s still a great time to go nature watching. Although it is no longer peak season, October is still warm and dry, making it ideal for trekking, safaris, and relaxing on Tanzania’s beaches. Although the migration has arrived in Kenya, there are still plenty of animals to witness in Tanzania’s Serengeti. It is preferable to travel at the beginning of the month.
November in Tanzania
The short rainy season begins in November. Although the low season extends into November and early December, most lodges remain open (unlike in the long rain season). Showers are usually brief and only occur in the evening. Birds, particularly migratory birds from the north, are easier to observe in safari parks when the plains and savannah revert to green. Isolated crossings may occur as the migratory returns south from Kenya. Whale sharks can be observed off the coasts of Zanzibar and Mafia from November to March.
December in Tanzania
The holidays in December, as well as the hot, dry weather, attract a large number of visitors. It’s the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and witness the wildebeest in the Serengeti’s southern reaches. The short wet season is coming to an end around the middle of December. From December to March, there may be some brief rain showers, but these are mainly nighttime and only last a few minutes. The temperatures are gently rising, making this a fantastic month to visit Zanzibar. The days leading up to Christmas can be quite crowded, and costs can skyrocket, so planning ahead is recommended.
In summary, the best time to visit Tanzania
High season: June to September is the Best time to see wild animals
The weather is cooler and dryer at this time of year, with most days being sunny. Because the foliage is sparse and the animals concentrate around depleting water sources, it’s easy to identify them. In the Serengeti, the wildebeest migration takes place in June and July. During this period, hotels in popular places are frequently booked, and high-season rates are in effect.
Shoulder season: October to February is the Best time to witness wildebeest calving
The weather is hot during these months, especially from December to February, and the mvuli (brief showers) begin to fall and the kusi (seasonal trade wind) begins to blow from late October. In the southern Serengeti, wildebeest calving begins in late January. From mid-December through mid-January, high-season rates apply.
Low Season: March to May is the Best time for discounted stays/ budget safaris
During these months, heavy rains make secondary roads muddy and some locations impassable, but it rarely rains all day, every day, and the landscapes remain lush and green. Some hotels close during the low season, while others provide discounts. As a result, visitors to the north of the country can benefit from lower fees and fewer congested parks. This is the ideal time of year to go bird-watching and to experience the ever green nature of Tanzania bush.
