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The United Republic of Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular travel destinations. The mainland of Tanzania is roughly divided geographically into four areas: the coastal area, the Massai savanna in the north, high plateaus in the south, and remote mountains in the west. So, a Tanzania tour can take you to a variety of places, all with their faces. From Wildlife Safari, mountaineering, beach holidays, cultural trips, ballooning, birdwatching, chimpanzee trekking, boating, and canoeing this country has many to offer.
Tanzania experiences mainly two seasons; dry and wet. The best time for safari is during the dry season, from late June to mid-October. This is the time when wildlife viewing is generally at its best because this is when wildlife viewing is generally at its best. If you want to witness the wildebeest calving, then December to March is a perfect time.
Most of the national parks in the northern circuit of Tanzania, such as the popular Serengeti and Ngorongoro, will have great opportunities to view wildlife year-round. On the other hand, the Western and Southern parks such as Nyerere and Mikumi have the highest humidity during the rainy season so they are generally uncomfortable.
During the dry season, the white beaches of paradise Zanzibar tempt you to swim and are a welcome change on your tour in Tanzania. A tour of the oriental city of Zanzibar Town, Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with meandering, labyrinthine cobblestone streets, and spice markets, completes the Zanzibar vacation.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Wildlife Safari, or/and Zanzibar
January and February form a short dry season of the year with warm temperatures and largely clear skies in the morning and evenings, ideal for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. There’s a small chance of rain during the day but this is the peak season for good reason with optimal weather for hiking. During this time the tropical island of Zanzibar is hot and dry with temperatures sitting in the high 20s (degrees centigrade). This season offers perfect beach weather with dry, sunny days and romantic cloudless skies. With wildlife spotting still good in Tanzania, it is time to experience the wildebeest calving season in southern Serengeti and witness prey predators’ actions up close. The drier conditions offer better wildlife spotting opportunities.
Safari & Zanzibar
Early March tends to be dry, although in some years the rains have been known to start early. So, it can rain at any time during this time but these rains keep the wildebeest herds on the grass plains in the southern parts of the Serengeti. While the weather is quite unpredictable, certain destinations offer incredible experiences. Whether you want to witness the migration from the southern Serengeti, catch a glimpse of the Big Five or enjoy some birding tours, you’ll be able to do all that (and more) during this time of the year.
Wildlife Safari
April and May form the long rainy season and the low season in Tanzania. These are by far the wettest and the real ‘Green Season’ of the year. During this time, expect very high humidity and greater cloud coverage. At this season heavy rains can disrupt wildlife viewing. For the budget travelers these months are the best for getting discounts as most of the hotels and lodges lowers their rates.
Wildlife Safari & Zanzibar
June marks the arrival of the cool, dry season in Tanzania, which makes the idyllic island of Zanzibar the ideal beach destination. You can expect sun-drenched shores, palm-fringed beaches, and glorious sunsets. It’s also a good time for diving around the north coast and with the Great Wildebeest Migration happening in the northern plains of Serengeti.
The Great Migration in Northern Serengeti
The great migration of wildebeest is one of the impressive natural spectacles on earth as hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle make their annual journey around the plains of the Serengeti between Tanzania and Kenya. July is prime time with the beasts attempting to cross the Mara River, a journey made perilous by the steep banks of the river and the hungry crocodiles that lurk in the water.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro & Safari
Throughout the year Kilimanjaro experiences two dry seasons with the second occurring between July and October, which makes August a great month to consider tackling Africa’s highest peak. At this time of year, it’s dry with great visibility as there are few clouds in the sky. Temperatures are low so you’ll need to pack for the cold. This is the most popular time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro so there’ll be plenty of other hikers on the various routes that lead to the summit. The Serengeti migration has also moved north by now into the Lamai region of the northern Serengeti as the wildebeest and zebra start to cross the Mara River.
Wildlife Safari or/and Zanzibar
The dry season in Tanzania makes it an ideal time for game viewing in the famous national parks including Tarangire, Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti in the midst of the annual Great Migration. The annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle is a year-long journey with September one of the busiest months as thousands of beasts cross from the northern Serengeti in Tanzania to the adjacent Masai Mara in Kenya. It’s a journey fraught with danger, from the sheer drop at the river banks to the hungry crocodiles that stalk the waters of the Mara River. It’s one of the best months to visit Tanzania to witness the brutal spectacle.
Wildlife Safari & Zanzibar
Peak safari season in Tanzania is coming to a close as October marks the final month of the dry season before the short rain season causing vegetation to thrive and creating more water sources for the animal population. This month the Zanzibar cost is a reliable option with pleasant temperatures and lots of sunshine for a beach holiday. October is also a great time for diving off the north coast of the island and if you’re thinking of combining beach with a safari adventure the Great Wildebeest Migration is in full swing in Tanzania.
Wildlife Safari
In November the national parks are considerably less crowded but it is still a great time to view and photograph animals. Generally, this month consists of afternoon showers but it’s a fantastic time for animals spotting and birdwatching as migratory species arrive in their thousands.
Wildlife Safari
The weather in Tanzania in December is very pleasantly warm, with a slight chance of rain which is known are the “short rains”. The temperature goes anywhere between 27 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. As the year comes to an end, it is the time to tick off any last-minute travel deals on your bucket list before starting afresh in the New Year.
In the mid of the month, Tanzania is starting to experience a second mini dry season which offers excellent wildlife spotting and relatively green scenery. The cooler temperatures may account for the fact that this is low season, which means better availability, better prices, and fewer safari vehicles clogging the tracks in the popular national parks.
Read more about the destinations and take a look at our proposed itineraries.