The best time to visit Tanzania

Most places in Tanzania will be humid and wet in January. The north, around the Serengeti, may experience a brief dry season. Rates will be lower and there will be fewer visitors as this is the middle of the low season. Zebra start to arrive in the short grass plains, wild flowers and migrating birds in full plumage are abundant in Tarangire, and turtles start to nest on the mainland and island beaches.

The Serengeti is still in its brief dry season. Wildebeest and zebra migration in full swing on the short grass plains, right next to Ngorongoro, and it’s their birthing season, attracting lots of predators to the area. With fewer visitors around and plenty of wildlife, some may consider this one of the best seasons to visit Tanzania. This is also one of the driest months in Zanzibar and there are fewer crowds; perfect for spending time on quiet beaches, learning how to scuba dive and participate in ocean conservation. There is a small chance of rain, but generally the weather is dry.

March is the start of the long rainy season. The beginning of the month can still be a pleasant time for trekking, safaris and beach trips. The northern Serengeti is devoid of visitors but full of resident wildlife, with well priced camps available. Towards the end of the month the humidity builds, rains are frequent, some lodges close and roads can become impassable. The rains create lush landscapes, but it can make wildlife harder to spot. Turtles also start to hatch on the beaches of the Zanzibar archipelago. Nyama Choma Festival takes place in March and is the largest barbeque festival across East and Central Africa.

April is in Tanzania’s rainy season but can be great for photography when the sun comes out. Some of the parks may have better access with lower visitor numbers and it can be a wonderful time to get to know the culture. The Seronera area of the Serengeti is fabulous at this time of year, with non-tented lodges being your best option.

There are still very few visitors – you may even have the Serengeti all to yourself. Catch the migration as it starts to move west and make the most of abundant birdwatching opportunities. Photography is particularly rewarding with the flowers in full bloom over the short grass plains. It’s also the best time for kite surfing in Zanzibar.

June marks the very start of the dry season and is arguably one of the best times to visit if your main priority isn’t seeing the Great Migration. Clear skies dominate throughout the country with the lush landscapes from the rains remaining at the start of the month. The surrounding greenery makes for fabulous bird watching. The savannah becomes drier towards the end of the month; a walking safari is hugely rewarding with cooler temperatures and bountiful wildlife. Katavi becomes the home to some of the world’s largest buffalo herds and it’s a fabulous time for spotting the ancient and giant crocodiles of Grumeti.

July is one of the driest and coolest months across the country, and is the start of the peak season. Make sure to pack light layers for the evenings when temperatures drop. This is a popular time to visit because it’s the start of the Great Migration; make sure to book early if you want to secure your preferred lodges and camps. It can be quieter in the southern safari circuit around Ruaha and Selous. The southern parks have the same wildlife as the northern parks, but you may even come across chimpanzees.

This is a good time to head to the island of Zanzibar with hot temperatures and dry weather. Mwakakogwa Festival takes place on the island and celebrates the traditional Shirazi or Persian New Year. Singing, dancing, feasting and drumming is combined with rituals to bring good luck into the New Year. The celebration starts with a ‘fight’ where all the men of the village beat each other with banana sticks to vent their aggression from the past year. Then, the mganga, or traditional healer, will set a ritual hut alight and reads which way the smoke burns to determine the village’s prosperity for the next year.

August is still the peak season for Tanzania with a dry and cool climate. After the lack of rain, the lush vegetation has dried up making wildlife spotting much easier. Wildlife starts their search for scarce water sources; this is much easier for guides to be able to predict animal sightings, with a better chance of seeing the Big Five. August falls in the European summer holidays and combined with the popularity of seeing the Great Migration, visitor numbers are high. Make sure to book well in advance if you’re looking to travel at this time.

Spot elephants as they gather in Tarangire, embark on a boat safari in Nyerere Park, or venture to Katavi where hippos crowds into small pools making huge pods a common occurrence. Relax on the white sandy beaches of Zanzibar, when the water is at its clearest – perfect for diving and watching humpback whales off the coast.

This is the last month of the peak season but it can be quieter than July and August. European school holidays are over meaning fewer visitors, but if you want to avoid the remaining crowds head to the southern parks. There are fewer mosquitoes because of the lower humidity and overall the weather is great across the country. You may even catch a glimpse of turtles hatching on the Indian Ocean islands. This is the best time for fly camping, fishing and walking in Nyerere.

The start of the month is better for travelling to avoid the short rainy season. Landscapes are at their driest and it’s a fantastic opportunity to see wildlife in the sun-baked open plains. The migration has moved to Kenya, but there are still plenty of animals to see. Chimpanzee tracking in Mahale is easy and rewarding, with chimps at the foothills of the mountains feasting on fruits. Temperatures start to rise towards the end of October, as does the chance of a shower or two.

The short rainy season starts as Tanzania heads into its low season. Most lodges remain open, meaning you can take advantage of off peak rates. The rains tend to happen overnight, but there is the chance that it will rain during the day. Plenty of wildlife can still be spotted in the Serengeti, but if you’re searching for drier weather head south to Selous. Manta rays can also be spotted off the coast of Pemba.

The short rainy season continues through most of the country until the middle of the month. Rain generally occurs overnight, but temperatures and humidity are still high. Migrating herds start to travel south the Ndutu and there’s plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities in the Serengeti. Flowers are in bloom in Ruaha with plenty of young being born, meaning predators are never too far away. December is also a great month for climbing Kilimanjaro. It can become very busy over the festive season, so make sure to book well in advance.