The best time to visit Tanzania

Tanzania is a year-round destination. There is no month without something worth travelling for. The question is not really 'when is best?' but 'what would you like your safari to feel like?' Each season gives you something different, and knowing the broad pattern makes it much easier to choose.

The dry season: late June to October

The dry season is the classic safari window. With little or no rain, the grass shortens, the bush thins and water sources become fewer. Animals gather around rivers and waterholes, which makes them easier to find and watch. Tarangire is at its best now, with large elephant herds drawn to the river.

In the Serengeti, this is the time of the Grumeti and Mara river crossings, as the Great Migration moves through the Western Corridor and into the north. Days are sunny and pleasantly warm, while early mornings and evenings are cool, especially on the Ngorongoro rim.

The trade-off is popularity. This is the busiest and usually the most expensive time of year, and some areas see more vehicles. Booking early helps you secure the camps you want.

The green season: November to May

The green season brings rain, but rarely in the way people imagine. It usually falls in two phases. The short rains arrive around November and December, often as brief afternoon showers. The long rains come around April and May and are heavier and more frequent.

Between the two, January to March is often warm and relatively dry, and this is when one of the year's great wildlife events happens.

Calving season in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu

From December to March, the migration herds graze the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Calving usually takes place roughly from late January into February, when a very large number of wildebeest calves are born over a few weeks. Predators follow closely, and sightings of lion, cheetah and hyena can be exceptional.

If you are interested in wildlife behaviour and photography, this is one of the most rewarding times of year to visit.

Our green-season advice

The green season is our quiet favourite for travellers who are flexible. The landscapes are lush, the skies are dramatic, the light is beautiful for photography, and many animals have young. Visitor numbers are lower, so you often have sightings to yourself, and many lodges offer lower green-season rates.

• Plan for afternoon showers rather than all-day rain, especially in November–December and January–March.
• Pack a light waterproof jacket and quick-drying layers.
• In April and May, expect more rain, muddier roads and some camps closing for a short break.
• Keep a little flexibility in your daily plans; your guide will adjust around the weather.
• Ask us about routes that suit wetter months, as some areas drain better than others.

Crowds and prices

As a general rule, the dry season and the festive period around Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive. The long rains of April and May are the quietest and often the best value. November and the months around calving sit in between, offering a good balance of wildlife, weather and fewer vehicles.

Because every safari we plan is tailor-made, we can always suggest ways to balance your budget and your wishes, such as moving a few days or mixing lodge styles.

Timing Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

The driest months on Kilimanjaro are generally late June to October and January to early March, which are the most popular times to climb. Climbing during the long rains is possible but wetter and colder.

Zanzibar is warm all year. It is at its sunniest during the dry months, from around June to October and again from December to February. The long rains around April and May bring more showers, though there are still bright spells. A beach extension pairs easily with a safari in almost any month.

So, when should you go?

• For classic dry-season game viewing and river crossings: late June to October.
• For calving and predators: late January to February.
• For quiet parks, green landscapes and good value: November, March and the long rains.
• For Kilimanjaro: late June to October or January to early March.

Migration timing depends on where the herds are, so we route your camps around your travel month rather than the other way around. Tell us when you can travel and we will tell you honestly what to expect.