Ideal time to travel to Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, which runs from June to October, if you want to go on a safari, have a beach vacation in Zanzibar, or hike Mount Kilimanjaro. The greatest time to see game is during this five-month dry spell, when animals gather around rivers and water holes. You also have a lot of options for where to go because you can visit any of Tanzania’s national parks. When millions of wildebeest try the perilous river
crossings in the Serengeti National Park in July, the annual wildebeest migration reaches its zenith. During the dry season, Zanzibar offers the ideal tropical beach vacation with great weather, pristine waters, and white sand beaches. It’s also the ideal weather for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Season-by-season, Tanzania is best visited during When is peak season?
Tanzania’s hot season lasts from July to March, with a brief wet season respite in November. On the other hand, June through October is peak season in Tanzania’s wildlife parks located to the west and south.
In the peak season, lodging costs may increase. We want to make sure that our guests have a personalized experience, but keep in mind that this is the busiest time of year to visit Tanzania’s most well-known game parks. Should you need a more private safari experience, our knowledgeable country specialists can assist you in selecting less frequented parks located in Tanzania’s west or south? Alternatively, if money is tight, you could take a look at one of our small-group excursions; you’ll get the same incredible experience for less money.
When is the off-peak season?
In Tanzania, the extended rains cause a low season that lasts from April to May. As the grass grows abundant, the animals travels farther away from its sources of water during the dry season, making it more difficult to spot. But the vivid green scenery and plenty of migratory birds more than make up for it.
The camps to the north usually stay open. Nevertheless, during this time some of the lodgings in southern Tanzania may close. It is not suggested to plan a dream beach vacation during these months because the Zanzibar archipelago can receive severe rainfall in big numbers.
Prices are lower at this time, and if you’re willing to hear recommendations from one of our knowledgeable country specialists, we can assist you in organizing a special trip to Tanzania during the low season
The dry season begins when?
The ideal time to travel to Tanzania is during the dry season, which runs from June to October.
Inland, daytime temperatures should be dry and range from 20°C/68°F to 30°C/86°F, depending on where you want to travel. Unexpectedly, nighttime temperatures can drop quickly, so bring thick clothing if you plan to go on an early-morning game drive. Temperatures will be significantly lower at elevations like the rim of Ngorongoro Crater or Mount Kilimanjaro. This season is characterized by gorgeous blue skies, minimal humidity, and very little rain.
The Zanzibar archipelago and the Tanzanian coast are known for their tropical weather. When is the ideal time to go to Zanzibar owing to the mild temperatures, low humidity, and little probability of rain, even during the dry season? The weather at your post-safari beach resort is ideal during the dry season.
When does the wet season begin?
There are two distinct rainy seasons in Tanzania: the short and the long rains. Both have an impact on when is the ideal time to visit Tanzania; however, a safari, trek, climb, or beach vacation will be most affected by the prolonged rains.
The November to December period sees the brief rainfall. It’s a wonderful season to visit Tanzania since it produces a rush of green growth and is frequently unpredictable. One other feature is the return of the migrating birds.
The rainy season in the Serengeti National Park ends in January and February, which also happens to be the beginning of the wildebeest calving season. This is one of the greatest seasons to visit Tanzania because several of the southern parks have low season rates.
The extended Because of the south-east trade winds, which bring copious amounts of rain inland, rain falls from March to May. It often rains heavily in spurts, so expect heavy rain almost daily.
TANZANIA’S BEST TIME TO VISIT, BY REGION
National Park of the Serengeti
June through October is the ideal period to visit the Serengeti National Park and witness the epic wildebeest migration. You will be astounded to witness two million animals,
including gazelles and zebras, gliding across the terrain. A high density of herbivores inevitably draws concentrated populations of predators. Enthralling is the drama that unfolds across the plains, especially at the river crossings. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that truly is. Please be advised that during this period, safari vehicles and people might make it very busy.
A burst of greenery in November and December heralds the northern wildebeest’s migration back to the Serengeti National Park from Kenya’s Masai Mara. An unending expanse this is a fantastic time to visit the park because of the infinite expanse of grassland that is broken up by islands of rocky outcrops known as koppies.
The season of wildebeest carving commences when the park transforms into a grassy nursery for thousands of animals in January and February. The Great Plains are teeming with new life, which presents a visual feast for the senses with an abundance of predators to observe.
March through April can still be used to visit the park even if it’s the rainy season. Sedentary animals is still visible during this time of year, and territorial predators are present throughout the park.
May and June are the times when the wildebeest rut, or mating season, occurs. Males contend with one another for a group or corral of females as the wildebeest move through the countryside in long columns. Frequently preoccupied, with more than two men they can be taken as prey in the muddle.
Tarangire National Park
June through October is the ideal time of year to explore Tarangire National Park. The animals gathers along the Tarangire River, which is a curved body of water that provides the only water source for hundreds of miles during the dry season. A miniature wildebeest migration takes place during this season, and hundreds of elephants gather along the river, turning the park into an elephant lover’s haven.
The park becomes green during the brief November to December rainfall. Now that migratory birds are starting to arrive, bird viewing is amazing. There were 550 bird species identified in the park at one point.
There is dry weather in January and February. The hundreds of enormous baobab trees in the environment make for a stunning backdrop, and game watching is still fantastic. From March to May, there is less game viewing and some closures of park accommodations due to the species straying from the river.
The Crater of Ngorongoro
Because so many creatures call Ngorongoro Crater home, it is open for visits year-round. Throughout the year, temperatures on the crater floor vary from 20°C/68°F to 25°C/77°F; however, nighttime lows are considerably lower.
June through October is the ideal time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater because of the excellent game watching opportunities provided by the shorter grass during the dry season. Please be advised that at this time there will be a significant influx of safari vehicles and guests into the Crater.
A safari to the Ngorongoro Crater is largely unaffected by the brief rains that fall between November and December, and there is still fantastic wildlife viewing during this time.
One of the greatest times to visit Ngorongoro Crater if you’re able is during the brief dry season of January to February.
If you’re hoping to witness the calving of wildebeests.
It’s harder to see game during the wet season, which runs from March to May. You should still anticipate seeing a variety of species, though. In the crater rim area, especially, heavy downpours might happen nearly every day. Prices and the quantity of visitors are, however, lower.
Tanzania’s south
The dry season, which runs from June to November, is the ideal time to explore southern Tanzania because of the exceptional wildlife viewing during this time. Elephants in particular congregate in large numbers close to water supplies, where they are anticipated by lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards. Moreover, unusual creatures like sable and roan antelope as well as the extremely rare wild dogs may be seen. June is the coolest month
and October is the hottest during the dry season, with an average temperature of 27°C/80°F.
In southern Tanzania, the months of December through March are rainy. This indicates that Tanzania’s rainy season is longer in the south than it is in the north. In the afternoon heat, it usually rains. Certain areas of parks may become inaccessible after heavy rain. As it gets more difficult to see wildlife. Nonetheless, it’s a lovely time of year with some bargain prices. Planning beforehand is crucial because some campgrounds close during certain weeks of this wet season. There are less showers and verdant surroundings in April and May.
ACTIVITY TIME IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA
Safaris and Observing Wildlife
In Tanzania, June through October is the ideal time of year to go on a safari and see wildlife. Around water sources, hundreds of herbivores congregate during this period, while a large number of predators are waiting to pounce.
During the dry season, the big wildebeest migration takes place, and in July, there are the well-known river crossings. On the calendar of wildebeest migration, January through February mark the beginning of the calving season, and May and June mark the beginning of the rut (mating season). Observing both activities is an amazing experience.
In general, January and February are dry months with fewer tourists in the national parks— perfect conditions for a safari!
The ideal safari weather happens in the dry season, which is characterized by low humidity and temperatures between 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (86°F). Mornings and nights are pleasant.
During the dry season, when the migrating birds arrive in November and December, bird watchers can enjoy watching the resident birds.
Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking
The dry season, which runs from June to October or from January to February when the
weather is likewise dry, is the ideal time to hike Mount Kilimanjaro. These two dry weather window periods—June to October or January to February—are the best times to climb Mount Kilimanjaro if you want a guaranteed experience.
But as this is the busiest time of year to climb Kilimanjaro, try to plan your trip for a time outside of these months if you want to escape the crowds.
Although it is not usually advised to hike Mount Kilimanjaro during Tanzania’s wet season, which runs from March to May, it is technically possible to do so all year round. For assistance organizing your journey, get in touch with one of the country expert.
Vacation by the Sea in Zanzibar
June through October is the ideal time of year to visit Zanzibar’s beaches. The ideal time to visit Zanzibar for a tropical beach vacation is when the crystal-clear water, coconut trees swaying over white sand beaches, low humidity, and mild weather without precipitation all come together.
Depending on the conditions, diving and snorkeling on the coral reef can be amazing from June to February. Nonetheless, January to March is Zanzibar’s greatest diving season. If you wish to dive with whale sharks, schedule your dive during December or September, when turtles are hatching.
The months of January and February are ideal if you like the heat and humidity. The rainy season runs from March to May, and If you want the ideal beach vacation in Zanzibar, this is the time to avoid.
For a peaceful experience,
Our expert advice suggests the shoulder and low seasons.
Although many people believe that June through October is the ideal time of year to visit Tanzania, these are also the busiest months of the year. Traveling in the shoulder or low season is a good option if you want to be completely alone and leave the rest of the world behind. If you must travel at the busiest time of year, stay away from expensive parks like the Serengeti and instead go to less frequented locations for a more pristine experience.