Best Time To Visit Tanzania For First Time Safari Goers

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season from June to October, yet January & February is considered the best time to visit Tanzania for Tanzania safaris,because the weather is dry and hot but not uncomfortable. But, the best time to visit Serengeti National Park for game drives is from June through October since the animals are most visible. Tanzania experiences two different rainy seasons: the “long rains” from April to May and the “short rains” from November to December. Tropical downpours typically occur in the afternoons due to the nation’s “long rains,” while “short rains” can result in a quick rainfall. However, the wet season is still the best time to visit Tanzania because Accommodation costs are lower and you won’t have to cope with the throngs of peak season.

When is the Best Time To Visit Tanzania?(Month By Month)

Tanzania is situated near the equator and enjoys a pleasant climate with relatively stable temperatures. The country experiences two main seasons. These seasons are opposite to those in the UK because Tanzania is in the southern hemisphere. The dry season, corresponding to winter, occurs from June to October. Following this, the rainy season, which coincides with summer, spans from November to March. Within this rainy season, there is a shorter rainy period in November and December, followed by a longer rainy season from April to May. The highest temperatures are typically recorded in December, January, and February, though this can vary depending on the region. The coastal areas have an equatorial climate, while the plateaus and interior regions experience a tropical climate. Below is a detailed overview of the best times to visit various regions in Tanzania, considering their unique climate and weather patterns.

Best Time To Visit Tanzania For A Safari

Tanzania is the epitome of Africa, with its remarkable wildlife, sandy beaches, charming tropical islands, lively marketplaces, and diverse cultural heritage. A Tanzania safari is ready to take you to the summit of Kilimanjaro or to the heart of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Throughout the year, Tanzania’s safari regions experience warm days and cold nights. Tropical heat and high humidity characterize the country’s shores and lakes, in contrast to the subfreezing temperatures atop Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro.

The best time of the year for your Tanzania safari is highly subjective and based on your desired Tanzania destinations and activities. The best time of year for Tanzania safari for first-time safari visitors to Tanzania is typically during the dry season, when it is easiest to follow and locate wildlife. The first step in planning a successful safari in Tanzania, whether this is your first Tanzania safari or not, is to get acquainted with the high and low seasons.

Regardless of your travel goals, it is wise to consider Tanzania’s climate and the seasonal migration patterns of the indigenous fauna. Discover the perfect time to visit Tanzania with our comprehensive guide, as we cover every detail, from witnessing the big migration across the Serengeti to learning about the country’s most exciting events.

 

June to September – best time to visit Tanzania for wildlife viewing.

June to September is Tanzania’s colder, drier peak season. Massive herds of wildebeest migrate north to Kenya’s Masai Mara where grass is greener, Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes are usually mud-free, and Zanzibar’s beaches are sunny. High costs and overcrowding are the only true drawbacks; otherwise, it’s a best time of year to visit Tanzania.

The dry season continues throughout July and August, when vegetation becomes more scarce and animals start to congregate around limited water sources. Although there may be a significant increase in the number of safari vehicles in certain national parks, the lack of vegetation cover makes animal viewing easier and brings the safari season to its annual climax.

In addition to the Serengeti, the Ruaha National Park in southern Tanzania is home to numerous animals, including kudus, buffaloes, and elephants. In Katavi National Park in western Tanzania, you can witness enormous groups of hippos vying for territory around the few mud wallows that are still there. Chimpanzees in Gombe National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park descend lower down the steep slopes, making it usually easier to track them if you are interested in seeing primates.

As an added bonus, this is also the best time climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro as well as Mount Meru and Usambara Mountains in northeastern Tanzania. Temperatures and humidity are a little lower along the coast, and the islands are crowded yet enjoyable.

October to February delivers Excellent bird watching and less visitors.

Tanzania’s shoulder season begins in October, when the weather is sunny and largely dry, making it the best time for birdwatching. During the late dry season, parks like Tarangire are at their most beautiful, and the crowds are significantly lower than they are during the high season.
In addition, the jacaranda trees in Tanzania begin to blossom around October, most notably in the northern regions near Moshi and Arusha, and in the southwestern regions near Mbeya. Walking on a carpet of lavender-colored petals beneath their purple canopy is a breathtaking experience.

The Tanzanian mango season commences in November, as the brief rainfall starts. Beginning in the latter half of November, you can find vendors peddling buckets of ripe fruit by the roadside. As the first migratory species make their way south, this is also the beginning of prime bird watching season.

Prices momentarily spike between mid-December and the first week of January for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, but many camps and lodges provide discounted shoulder-season rates on both sides of this window.

February usually brings the year’s highest weather, particularly near the coast, but birdwatching is great throughout in the country, and the southeastern Serengeti is bustling with activity as the wildebeest calving season gets underway. February is also the finest time of year to see the orchids at Kitulo National Park and to take in the wildflower-covered highlands around it.

The warm, dry months of December through February are the best times to trek the Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. The best time to see whale sharks along the coast is during the shoulder season, which runs from October to March and move by Mafia Island.

March-May is the best time for beautiful green sceneries and inexpensive pricing.

Tanzania’s primary rainy season begins in mid-March to late May, and intense downpours transform roads and trekking paths to mud.Numerous lodges, especially along the coast and the southern and western safari circuits, close down, while those that remain operational often offer significant discounts.

Even though it’s raining, there’s still lots of sunshine, so if you want to see Tanzania’s different cultures without having to fight your way through hordes of tourists, this might be the best time to go. While tourist numbers are at an all-time low, the country’s scenery are verdant and beautiful.

As the wildebeest start their lengthy northwestward migration from their calving sites in the southeastern Serengeti towards the Kenyan border in late April, it is easy to notice brightly colored birds. Males are frequently resplendent in their colorful breeding plumage.

Best Time To Visit Ngorongoro Crater

Located in northern Tanzania within the Ngorongoro Highlands, the Ngorongoro Crater experiences a tropical climate. Similar to other parts of Tanzania, it has two rainy seasons: a short rainy season from November to December and a long rainy season from April to May. During the long rainy season, monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean bring substantial rainfall, especially to the southern and eastern slopes. During the southern winter (June to September), it can be quite cold, particularly at night.

Lake Eyasi

Situated in the Great Rift Valley in eastern Tanzania near a region of plateaus and volcanic peaks, Lake Eyasi is at the southernmost boundary of the Ngorongoro range. The lake nearly dries up during the dry season from June to September. The rainy season from January to May, especially in April, replenishes the lake.

Lake Natron

Located near Mount Gelai, Lake Natron experiences much higher temperatures compared to Tanzania’s capital. While Tanzania generally has mild temperature variations, the area around Lake Natron often exceeds 40°C. It remains very dry with minimal rainfall, resulting in a harsh climate throughout the year.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro features a tropical savannah climate, but conditions vary widely across its slopes. The base of Kilimanjaro enjoys mild temperatures averaging 24°C annually. As altitude increases, temperatures drop, averaging 5°C at 13,100 feet and -7°C at the summit. At higher altitudes, significant daily temperature fluctuations can occur, with changes of up to 40°C between day and night. Kilimanjaro’s dry seasons are from mid-June to mid-October and from early December to the end of February, while the long rainy season lasts from late March to mid-May.

Best Time To Visit Serengeti National Park Tanzania

Serengeti National Park has a tropical climate. It experiences a dry season from June to October and two rainy seasons: the long rains from March to May and the short rains from November to December.

Selous Game Reserve

The Selous Game Reserve, spanning 19,300 square miles in southeastern Tanzania, enjoys warm days and cool nights from June to September. The hot, dry season from October to November brings significant humidity and increased rainfall, peaking in the main rainy season from April to May, during which the reserve becomes inaccessible.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar has an equatorial climate influenced by strong Indian Ocean winds at certain times of the year. February is the hottest month, while August is the coolest. The heaviest rainfall occurs in April and May, with lighter rains from late October to late November. The driest period is from June to October.

TRAVEL ADVICE & INFORMATION Tanzania

Time Difference

Tanzania operates on Eastern Africa Time (EAT) throughout the year, which is 3 hours ahead of GMT. There is no daylight saving time, so during the summer, Tanzania is only 2 hours ahead of GMT.

Money

The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) is the local currency. While most hotels and lodges accept credit cards and can exchange other currencies, credit card payments can be challenging and may incur a 5-10% commission. It is advisable to carry cash for transactions. Banks typically operate from 09:00 to 14:00 on weekdays and are closed on weekends. Note that US dollars dated before 2006 are not accepted.

 

Electricity and Plugs

Tanzania uses 220 and 230 volts, and the plug types are D and G. UK plugs generally work, but bringing an adapter is recommended. Be aware that power outages are common. Local Amenities Shops are usually open from 09:00 to 17:30 on weekdays and from 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays.

 

Media

Swahili is the primary language for national radio and private stations. The press, which has expanded significantly since 1993, also uses Swahili. However, two daily newspapers, The Guardian and The Daily News, are available in English.

Post

Post offices are open from 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, and from 08:30 to 12:00 on Saturdays. Stamps can be purchased in hotels and post offices. Deliveries to Europe typically take about ten days.

 

Phone

To call Tanzania from the UK, dial 00 255 followed by the area code (omitting the initial 0) and the phone number. Making calls from hotels or remote areas can be difficult, but lodges can radio for help in emergencies. International calls are expensive, costing around four to five US dollars per minute. Check with your service provider for details before traveling.

 

Internet and Mobile Coverage

Most hotels and lodges offer Wi-Fi, sometimes free of charge, but occasionally for a small fee. Internet cafes in larger cities charge around 300 to 500 TZS for half an hour. Mobile coverage is extensive, although it can be unreliable in the Serengeti. Contact your mobile service provider for more information before your trip.

Currency

The local currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).