Best time to visit Tanzania

The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. June and July are the best months for seeing the migration, and February is the best month for the wildebeest calving. The dry months offer good wildlife viewing throughout Tanzania. Tarangire and the southern and western circuit parks (including Katavi, Selous and Ruaha) are best visited in the Dry season, from June to October.

The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the Dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The southern and western circuit parks are best visited during the Dry season (June to October), unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round. Tarangire is the only exception since its wildlife viewing is considerably better in the Dry season as well.

Best Time – June to October (All parks), June-July and January-February (Serengeti for the wildebeest migration and calving).
High Season – July to March (northern circuit parks; they get crowded), July to October (southern and western circuit parks; they don’t really get crowded any time of the year)
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)
Best Weather – June to October (Little to no rainfall)
Worst Weather – March and April (Peak of Wet season)

• June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest migration.
• August to September is the best time to see the wildebeest river crossings in northern Serengeti.
• Animals are easier to spot since they concentrate around waterholes and rivers and there is less vegetation.
• There are fewer mosquitoes because there is little to no rain; the skies are clear and most days are sunny
• Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still don’t feel crowded, except for the Seronera area in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater.
• Mornings and nights get cold; it’s recommended to bring warm clothing for morning game drives in open vehicles during the months of June, July and August.

• Late January to February is the time to see the calving in southern Serengeti and an excellent time to see predator action.
• The scenery is green and beautiful; it’s low season, meaning lower rates and less crowded parks.
• Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you’ll still see plenty and most northern circuit parks offer good year-round wildlife viewing.
• Migratory birds are present, and bird watching is at its best.
• Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom have a negative impact on your trip.
• March to May is the peak of the Wet season.
• Most big wildlife has migrated out of Tarangire NP, and wildlife viewing in Katavi, Selous and Ruaha is better during the Dry season.