Most safari areas in Tanzania Safaris enjoy warm days and cool evenings year-round.
While temperatures drop to below freezing on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the country’s Indian Ocean coast and lakeside regions are hot and humid. Tanzania has two distinct rainy seasons:
April to May (the ‘long rains’) and November to December (the ‘short rains). Generally, the country’s main rainy season (the long rains) produces tropical downpours in the afternoons and many safari camps close. The short rains season sees the occasional brief shower, but safari camps stay open and game viewing is good. Our Travel Advice page has more useful information about Tanzania’s climate and seasons. The best time for a Tanzania safari will depend on where you want to go and what you want to see. For first-time safari-goers, the best time to go to Tanzania is usually during the dry season, as wildlife is easier to track and spot. Whether you’re visiting Tanzania for the first time, understanding the difference between the safari high season vs low season is a great place to start.
Quick facts
Best time to go: June to October (All parks),
June-July and January-February (Serengeti for the wildebeest migration & 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 to October – Dry Season
June and July are the best months to see the wildebeest migration. 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.
November to May – Wet Season
Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the southern Serengeti. This is 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 game 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 game viewing in Katavi, Selous, and Ruaha is clearly better during the dry season. The best time to go to Tanzania by major park 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 game 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.