Timing matters in Tanzania. You could find yourself watching thousands of wildebeest charge across a crocodile-strewn river – or sipping coffee in the rain, wondering where everyone went. The difference? A few weeks on the calendar. This isn’t about ticking off dry vs. wet season or googling ‘migration map’. It’s about knowing what kind of experience you’re looking for – and choosing your moment just right. So, let’s explore the best time to visit Tanzania, and what “best” even means.
Timing is everything when planning Tanzania’s perfect moment, Image Credit: Lemala
January and February: The Short Dry Season
Welcome to our unsung favourite. During this dry season, the short rains of November and December abate, leaving behind a lush landscape. The southern region of the Serengeti National Park fills with wildebeest – and their brand-new, wobbly-legged offspring. This is calving season, when thousands of calves are born each day, attracting every predator with an appetite and a pulse.
The short dry season is a good time for safaris in the south and west. Diving off the coast is also at its best because tropical beaches are at their warmest. Plus, it’s an ideal time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, offering clear views and warmer temperatures at the summit.
With fewer tourists than the long dry season and a solid line-up of wildlife and weather highlights, this short, sweet window is easily one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets.
- Best for: Travellers keen on predator action, lush scenery, fewer crowds, and pairing safari with the coast or Kilimanjaro.
- Expect: Newborn wildebeest, active big cats, and warm beach days in Zanzibar.
Lush landscapes, sparse crowds, and lions on the hunt
March, April and May: The Long Rain Intermission
This is when some camps and lodges close their doors, allowing the bush to replenish. The long rains arrive with enthusiasm, roads can become rivers, and logistics start to fray. If you’re determined to go, you’ll find deep discounts – but also damp boots and the occasional detour.
That said, some regions remain rewarding. Migratory birds arrive in force, and by May, Lake Natron hosts millions of breeding flamingos. The Great Migration stretches across the southern Serengeti in March and April, then begins shifting northwest in May.
Ngorongoro Crater remains a strong option throughout – its high-altitude setting keeps it accessible and packed with wildlife year-round.
- Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who don’t mind a bit of weather roulette.
- Expect: Mud, mist, and moments of solitude.
Even the rain has its magic in Tanzania
June to September: High Season, High Drama
This is Tanzania on full volume. Dry skies, sparse vegetation, and animals congregating around the remaining water sources make it the best time for high-impact game viewing. Think lion standoffs, dust trails, and the kind of light that makes even amateur photos look cinematic.
In the Serengeti, this is when The Great Migration builds to its most dramatic crescendo – wildebeest river crossings, crocodiles barely blinking, camera lenses clicking like castanets. But popularity comes at a price – you won’t be the only one who had this bright idea, so expect company on game drives and plan well in advance.
- Best for: Wildlife photographers, first-time safari-goers, those who want “wow” with their morning coffee.
- Expect: Clear skies, cool mornings, packed lodges, unforgettable sightings.
When the timing’s right, the river becomes a battleground
October: The Wildcard Month
October marks the beginning of the short rains after a long dry spell. Generally arriving towards the end of the month, you’ll have the best of the dry winter interspersed with spectacular downpours. It’s unpredictable – but invigorating.
On the wildlife front, stragglers of The Great Migration also loiter around the northern Serengeti bordering Kenya’s Maasai Mara. You’ll often catch them grazing and moving through relatively quieter areas before they follow the rain south.
- Best for: Travellers who want to skip peak-season crowds without sacrificing wildlife sightings.
- Expect: Warm days with cool mornings; showers that might roll in late in the month.
October in Tanzania rewards those who linger longer, Image Credit: Kichakani Serengeti Camp
November and December: The Short Rains
Come November, Tanzania edges into the short-rain season. Think nighttime downpours and bursty afternoon showers – light, quick, and often spectacularly green. Far from disruptive, these brief showers revive the plains and deliver exactly the kind of striking skies photographers love.
This time is a pivotal moment. With the arrival of the short rains, The Great Migration begins its southward sweep – herds move from the Maasai Mara and northern Serengeti into the richer grasses of the central and southern plains. By December, tens of thousands of wildebeest arrive, setting the stage for the calving season.
- Best for: Travellers seeking excellent wildlife viewing and lush landscapes, minus the hustle of peak season.
- Expect: Light rain, clear air and vivid vegetation, offering ideal conditions for crisp, colourful wildlife photography.
When the skies open, the plains come alive, Image Credit: Songa Migrational Camp
What About Zanzibar?
If you’re planning a safari in Tanzania, chances are you’ll fly in or out through Arusha, which also happens to be the jumping-off point for Zanzibar. That’s why many travellers pair the two: safari first, then the coast. It’s an easy swap from game drives to sea views, and the change of pace just works.
Zanzibar is best from June to October, with a second dry spell in January and February. March to May brings rain, humidity, and fewer excuses to leave your hammock – unless you’re into kitesurfing.
Best time to visit Tanzania? Add Zanzibar to that
Month-by-Month Snapshot for your Tanzania Safari
While nature doesn’t stick to a strict schedule, some patterns do emerge. Here’s a general guide to how the year tends to unfold – useful for shaping your plans around the kind of experience you’re hoping for.
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Calving season kicks off in the south |
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Rains begin, bush thickens |
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Long rains. Some lodges close |
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Clear, crisp, wildlife concentrated |
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Mara River crossings begin |
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Beautiful light, fewer crowds |
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Still dry, with gold-tinged landscapes |
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Short rains begin, Green Season starts |
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Wildebeest herds return to the south |
Get up close to Tanzania’s abundant wildlife
A Note on the Great Migration
The Great Migration doesn’t follow a strict schedule. That’s why it’s best to work with people who understand the shifting patterns, not just the guidebook versions. It’s a year-round loop between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, driven by rain, grass, and instinct.
That said, Tanzania hosts the lion’s share of the action. From the calving season in the southern plains to the dramatic build-up in the western corridor and those famed river crossings in the north, most of the migration’s milestones happen on Tanzanian soil.
In general:
- January–March: Calving season in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu.
- April–May: Herds move northward through the central Serengeti.
- June–July: Western corridor crossings.
- July–Sept: Herds often cross into Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
- Oct–Dec: Return to Tanzania via the northern and eastern Serengeti.
A living river of instinct, dust and hooves, Image Credit: Sayari Camp
So, When Should You Visit Tanzania?
Tanzania isn’t a one-season-fits-all destination. Pick your own plot twist – Grand-Stand Migration spectacle, baby-season cuteness overload, or a value-loaded green escape.
Whichever you fancy, our Wilderness Guides know exactly where the drama (or the zen) will be when you land.
