Best Time to Visit Tanzania
When planning a safari to Tanzania, choosing the best time to visit is crucial. The weather and seasons significantly affect your experience of seeing animals and the stunning landscapes.
The ideal time to visit Tanzania varies depending on what you want to see and do. This guide breaks down the best times of the year to visit based on key factors such as wildlife viewing, calving, and the dry and green seasons.
Early June: Marks the end of the long wet season and the beginning of the birthing season in many national parks. This period offers an extraordinary spectacle of life and is ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.
Late June to October: Winter sets in with cooler, dry conditions and peak tourist activity. This time is perfect for wildlife photography, safari game drives, and hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. The great migration in the Serengeti National Park is a highlight during these months. Booking your safari and accommodation well in advance is recommended due to high demand.
Highlights During These Months:
- Fantastic wildlife sightings: Experience Tanzania at its finest with ample wildlife sightings and the great migration from June to October.
- Superb weather conditions: Enjoy excellent weather with drier, cooler temperatures ideal for photography and safaris.
- Great migration: Witness the dramatic great migration in the Serengeti from June to October.
- Mount Kilimanjaro climbing: Ideal conditions for trekking with clearer skies and a higher chance of reaching the summit.
- Birthing season: December to February offers the opportunity to see young wildlife up close.
March: The beginning of the short rainy season, which is excellent for bird watching due to increased migratory activity.
November to December 15: The transition phase offers reduced accommodation prices and thinner crowds. The great migration continues in the Serengeti, and weather conditions are favorable for wildlife viewing.
Highlights During These Months:
- Less crowded: Enjoy a more intimate experience with fewer tourists.
- Bird watching: The arrival of migratory bird species makes this period perfect for bird enthusiasts.
- Lower prices: Accommodation and safari prices tend to be lower.
- Wildlife visibility: Animals congregate around water sources, increasing the chance of sightings.
- Short rainy season: November rains bring a fresh coat of green to the parks.
- Idyllic weather: Comfortable weather with a mix of rain showers and sunny spells.
- Nature’s spectacle: Witness the wildebeest return migration to the Serengeti.
The low season is characterized by fewer tourists, lower travel costs, and lush landscapes due to the long rainy season. This period is ideal for birdwatching as many migratory species arrive.
Highlights During These Months:
- Fewer crowds: Enjoy more intimate wildlife encounters.
- Cost-effective: Lower prices for flights, accommodation, and safaris.
- Birdwatching: The arrival of migratory bird species makes it perfect for bird enthusiasts.
- Lush landscapes: Vibrant and lush vegetation due to the rains.
- Flourishing fauna: Increased animal activity due to abundant food supply.
- Unexpected Mara River crossing: Smaller migrations occur with some herds crossing back into the Serengeti.
- Great photography: Dramatic skies and softer light offer unique photographic opportunities.
Conclusion
No matter the time of year, booking a safari to Tanzania is always a great idea. Certain times are better suited for specific activities and wildlife events, but any season offers the chance to see beautiful animals in their natural surroundings.