There is no single best time to visit Tanzania, because the country offers very different experiences across the year. The right month depends on what you most want to do: follow the Great Migration, climb Kilimanjaro, relax on a beach or enjoy quiet, green landscapes.
The two dry seasons
The long dry season from June to October is the classic safari window. Grass is short, water is scarce and wildlife is easy to see around rivers and waterholes. Days are warm and sunny, and nights can be cool, especially at altitude. It is also the busiest time, so booking early matters.
A shorter dry spell runs from late December to February. It is hot, the scenery is still green after the short rains, and the southern Serengeti hosts the calving season, when thousands of wildebeest calves are born.
The rainy seasons
The short rains fall in November and December, usually as brief afternoon showers. The long rains arrive from March and last through May. April and May are the wettest months. Some camps close, but those that stay open offer lower rates, far fewer vehicles and beautiful, dramatic skies.
Matching the month to your plan
- Great Migration river crossings: usually July to October, in the northern Serengeti.
- Calving season: January to March, on the southern plains.
- Kilimanjaro: January to March and June to October offer the best weather windows.
- Beaches and diving: June to October and December to February are the most reliable.
- Birdwatching and green scenery: November to April.
Our advice
If you can only travel once and want the most reliable wildlife, aim for June to October. If you prefer fewer people and better value, consider January, February or the shoulder months of June and November. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the best route for them.
