When to visit Tanzania

January is fairly dry and hot, as the temperatures start rising after the short rains in November and December.

There is a chance of some short showers, but they usually occur at night. 

It is the calving season on the Ndutu Plains, so visiting in January, especially towards the end of the month, is a great time to see wildebeest abound.

Temperatures continue rising, and the migration is still on the Ndutu Plains.

February is one of the optimal months for trekking Kilimanjaro, for safaris in the northern and southern parks, and for visiting Zanzibar for a beach holiday.

Like January, there is still a chance of short rains, but they also usually occur at night. 

As the migration starts heading west towards the Grumeti River, the temperatures are still very hot.

The beginning of the month is still great for safari and beach trips. However, towards the end of the month, there is a higher chance of rain as Tanzania moves into the long rainy season.

In April, the long rainy season is in full swing. Travelling in this period is not advised, as torrential rains can affect planned excursions. 

Many lodges are also closed.

Just like April, May is a month of rain, so conditions are not ideal for travel. The lush vegetation, while beautiful, makes wildlife spotting more difficult. 

Towards the beginning of June, the long rainy season ends, and Tanzania is blanketed by verdant vegetation and is a great time for bird-watching.

By the end of the month, the savannah generally becomes drier and locating wildlife becomes easier. The migration begins heading north from Grumeti River in June. 

July is the start of the peak season for travelling to Tanzania. The migration is heading towards Kenya, and elephants are gathering at Tarangire National Park.

For those looking for a more exclusive and remote safari experience, July is a great time to visit the the southern parks Ruaha and Selous.

From July through to October, availability will be more limited as it is peak season. It's not uncommon for many lodges to be booked up 12 months in advance, so we strongly recommend booking early.  

July is also a great time to visit Zanzibar, as it is a bit cooler than the December to March period, but still dry.

Nights, evenings, and mornings can also be cooler on the mainland, so some warmer clothes should be taken for early morning safari drives and sundowners in the bush. 

Dry and cool, August is a great time to visit Tanzania and the best time to visit if you want to try and see a river crossing of the Great Migration.  

Wildlife starts searching for water sources, making their movements predictable for guides, and giving you a greater chance of seeing The Big Five. Plus, grasses are short which makes spotting wildlife even easier. 

Flamingos also arrive in high numbers at Lake Natron.

It's a fabulous time for visiting Zanzibar. The water is particularly clear and turtles also hatch on the Indian Ocean islands!

The last month of the peak season, September is a fantastic month to visit Tanzania. Still firmly in the dry season with all the fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities that provides.

The migration herds are spread out across the Serengeti and the Masai Mara and it's another great month to try and spot a river crossing. If the migration is high on your bucket list, consider combining Tanzania and Kenya to maximise your chances of seeing a crossing. 

Conditions in Zanzibar are perfect for an idyllic beach retreat at the end of your safari, and you may even observe turtles hatching. 

October is the last month of peak season. It's another fantastic month to visit and as the dry season starts to fade out, many lodges offer some great shoulder season discounts in October so value for money is fantastic. 

If you're up in Northern Serengeti, you may see a few last minute river crossings. Central Serengeti also offers fantastic safari in October as the big cats don't migrate and with all of the wildebeest up north, the big cats are particularly hungry and active. 

Towards the end of the month, the short rains may start to arrive. 

November is the start of the short rainy season that runs through until mid December.

It's still a great time to visit. Prices are much lower in November and rain showers are mostly short and confined to the evening. As the plains and savannah become green again, birds - especially the migratory ones from the north - are plentiful. The migration slowly travels back south from Kenya, so some isolated crossings may be spotted.

Starting from November to March, whale sharks can also be seen on the shores of Zanzibar and Mafia. 

Towards the middle of December, the short wet season is ending. There can still be some short rains throughout December to March, but these are usually overnight and only short.

It’s a great month for visiting Zanzibar, as the temperatures are slowly rising. The days around Christmas can be quite busy again and prices can rise, so booking ahead is advised.