Best time to visit Tanzania

Tanzania is a country with diverse weather patterns and a rich wildlife spectacle. To make the most of your visit, it’s important to consider the best times to experience both the wildlife and the favorable weather conditions. Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. But June and July are the best months for seeing the migration, and February is the best month for the wildebeest calving.

The southern and western circuit parks (including Katavi, Selous, and Ruaha)  are best visited during the Dry season (June to October), unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round except Tarangire which is also better in the dry season.

• Best Time & Best Weather- June to October (All parks)
• Wildebeest Migration – January & February and June & July its time for the wildebeest migration and calving).
• High Season – July to March these times northern circuit parks, get more crowded than southern and western circuit parks.
• Low Season – April and May northern circuit parks still get quite a few visitors unlike the southern and western circuit parks, where many lodges close down.
• Worst Weather – March and April (Peak of Wet season)

• June and July are ideal for witnessing the impressive wildebeest migration.
• August to September is the best time for wildebeest river crossings in northern Serengeti.
• Animals are easier to spot as they gather around waterholes and rivers, and there is less vegetation.
• Fewer mosquitoes due to little to no rain, and the skies are clear with mostly sunny days.
• The parks are still not crowded during the Dry season, except for Seronera in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Mornings and nights can get cold, so bring warm clothing for morning game drives in open vehicles.

• Late January to February is perfect for seeing the wildebeest calving in southern Serengeti and experiencing predator action.
• The landscape is green and beautiful, and it’s considered the low season with fewer crowds and lower rates.
• Wildlife is still abundant in most northern circuit parks during this time.
• Migratory birds are present, making it an excellent period for bird watching.
• Rainfall is mostly short afternoon showers, except for the peak of the Wet season in March to May.
• Tarangire National Park is best visited during the Dry season, and wildlife viewing in Katavi, Selous, and Ruaha is better during that time as well.

Tanzania’s climate varies significantly based on factors such as altitude and geographical location. The coastal areas are the hottest and most humid, while the interior experiences milder temperatures that cool down significantly at night. Tanzania doesn’t have distinct winter and summer seasons due to its proximity to the equator. Instead, the country experiences a Dry season and a Wet season. Temperatures can drop by about 6.5°C for every 1,000m you climb (or 3.5°F per 1,000ft). 

Arusha is the town closest to the most popular northern parks and has a comparably mild climate. The peak amount of rainfall in April is considerably less in most parks than in Arusha. The altitude in the Serengeti ranges greatly, so there are wide climatic variations even within the park. The Ngorongoro Crater rim receives quite a lot of rain and is very cold during evenings and mornings due to its high altitude (about 2,300m/7,545ft). Lower-lying parks, such as Manyara, Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha, Gombe, Mahale Mountains and Katavi, are slightly warmer than Arusha – especially at night.