Best Time To Visit Tanzania

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry months from July to October, when game viewing is at its peak, which is the dry season. The dry season/Monnth(July, August, September, October)  is also: the best time to visit for Gorilla trekking, best time for the Great wildebeest Migration, best time to climb Mount Kenya, best time to climb mount Kilimanjaro, best time for Rwenzori trekking and the best time for chimpanzee tracking, not forgetting the Zanzibar beach holidays.

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 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.

Best Time To Visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania

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).