+255747516280 [email protected]
Ratings of African Vista's Service
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+255747516280 [email protected]
Ratings of African Vista's Service

When to Travel

Dry Season

These months mark a period of dry season: June, July, August, September & October. In some areas, the rain can be observed in the mid of October.

Wet Season

Short rains are observed in November & December, and long rains in March, April & May. Low rain in January and February, a greener season of the year.

Best Time

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry season, from late June to October. Most parks are also accessible from November to March.

From January to December

Finding the best time for Tanzania safari

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. 

 

Best Time to Visit Tanzania (Month by Month)

January & February
March
April & May
Jun
July
August
September
October
November
December

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 the 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.

Popular Touristic Events and Holidays in Tanzania

  • February’s Sauti za Busara, held in Zanzibar’s Stone Town, is a pan-African music festival – one of the largest in the region.
  • The Kilimanjaro Marathon takes place in Kili’s foothills in late February or early March.
  • Tanzania’s premier arts events, the Festival of the Dhow Countries and the Zanzibar International Film Festival, are held in Zanzibar over two weeks in July.
  • The town of Bagamoyo, on the coast of mainland Tanzania, hosts the dynamic Karibu Music Festival in November.

Read more about the destinations and take a look at our proposed itineraries.

Popular Questions

What is the best month to visit Nyerere National Park (Selous)?

The best time to visit Nyerere National Park is during the dry season from January to February or from June to October. The period of October through March consists of the warmer months, while June to August are cooler. The months of April and May mark the period of long rain and can hinder your Safari.

Is Mikumi National Park accessible in April and May?

Mikumi National Park is connected by a tarmac road from Dar es Salaam via Morogoro Road. This makes it accessible during the long rainy season in April and May, however, the game-viewing experience can be hindered by cloudy weather.

Are the Tanzania southern parks accessible in April and May?

The majority of the southern parks are hardly accessible by road during the long rainy season in April and May but also most of the flights are not operating during this time. The best game-viewing is in January and February and from June to August.

LET’S PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TOGETHER!

What our guests are saying

HHH1983
HHH1983
2020-02-10
Toller Tourenanbieter zu fairen Preisen in Usa River Wir hatten einen sehr freundlichen, zuvorkommenden Guide für unseren Besuch im Arusha Nationalpark. Er war sich für keinen Umweg zu schade, damit wir den besten Blick auf die Tiere hatten. Als wir eine Kaffeepause auf eigene Faust einlegen wollten, hat er ohne zu zögern umgedreht und auf uns gewartet. Im Vergleich zu anderen Anbietern in Usa River günstig, für 3 Personen kostete der Safaritag inklusive Verpflegung nur 135 Dollar. Top, absolute Empfehlung!
terrycharlie64
terrycharlie64
2019-11-27
Arusha Safari Really good safari, with a lovely guide. Really well organized, even though I left it to the Last minute, they still managed to get me on the tour. Enjoyed every minute and we got to see some great wildlife! Germano was really helpful too. Highly recommend!
Natalia E
Natalia E
2019-11-23
Safari in Tanzania Me and my friend spent 4 wonderful days visiting different national parks of Tanzania.Our trip ,hotels ,safari guide were very well organised by Germano. Our driver and guide Peter was very friendly and he showed us a lots of different animals. Thanks to him we saw "Big Five"! The stuff of the hotels was very polite and smiling. I falled in love with this country ,nature and people... I do recommend 'African Vista' and Germano personaly :))
Oksana Gnatkovska
Oksana Gnatkovska
2019-11-21
4-days safari through 4 national parks: amazing trip! Отличная организация, согласование всех деталей с учётом наших предпочтений и бюджета. Наш водитель-гид Питер очень профессиональный и мы увидели, во многом благодаря ему, всю большую пятерку🤩 Вкусная еда, хорошая погода, океан впечатлений👍 Посмотрели Нгоронгоро (как в «парке юрского периода»😍😍😍), Арушу, озеро Маньяра и Тарангире (в порядке нашего собственного рейтинга привлекательности расставила их:)). Джермано- спасибо огромное! Видели у вас на сайте ещё много разных туров по другим регионам Танзании- обязательно в следующий раз опять с вами!
travelwithtanja
travelwithtanja
2019-11-21
Just wonderful :-) Germano organized two game drives for us – to Arusha National Park and to Lake Manyara. He’s super friendly and 100 percent reliable. From the first e-mail till the last day: Everything was perfect! Our driver, Rich, was the best guide ever: He’s a really safe driver, very friendly (such a great smile ☺), incredible nice to talk to and can tell you a lot about animals, landscape and culture. Not to forget: He spotted thousands of animals for us! Giraffes, zebras, elephants, monkeys, flamingos, buffalos, hippos – and even lions. We spent a great time with African Vista and can strongly recommend it! Germano, Rich – thank you very, very much for two wonderful days, we will never forget!!! Sandra and Tanja
Trail23212141256
Trail23212141256
2019-11-21
Close contact with giraffes I took a day-safari together with my 5-years old daughter to Arusha National Park. We booked it just a day before and thus short notice it was perfectly planned. We had a great vehicle with a roof that could open so we could stand and watch all the animals. The park offered close contact many animals. Zebras, giraffes, warthogs, flamingos, hippos and different monkeys was the favorite. We had a lovely lunch break by a lake, while listening to the hippos snoring in the lake. The driver shared a lot of knowledge about the animals, plants and the park. Al together it was a perfect day for both me and my daughter.
arnod273
arnod273
2019-10-15
Very helpful people, great safari We booked a 9 days camping safari via Germano (African Vista). As we did not book an itinerary upon our arrival, we needed to make a last minute booking in Tanzania. Germano was very helpful and spent hours planning our trip. We signed up for a safari to Arusha NP, Tarangire, Lake Natron, Serengeti (north and central), ngorogoro crater and lake Manyara. Our guide, Richard, and cook, Hubert, were excellent. Very friendly, genuine people who made us feel comfortable and appreciated. Richard has tons of experience and had a lot of patience, rather than rushing from one place to another. This was a very good strategy as the best sightings were seen after waiting patiently for things to happen. Hubert’s cooking (with a special recognition for his delicious soup) was great, lots of variety between local and western food. Amazing how he could fix us pizza, stews, crispy beef, marinated chicken, soup, pasta, ... with limited the facilities that were available to him. Amongst others, we’ve seen the wildebeest migration in northern serengeti, hunting cheetahs, leopards, lions, hippos, tons of hoofed mamals, elephants, girafs, zebras, buffalos, monkeys, hyenas, jackals, wild fox and many more. In summary: we’ve had a great time with great company. After the safari, Germano arranged our next trip to Usambara and even gave us a follow up call to see how we were doing and whether the transition to other parts was smooth. Thank you Germano, Richard and Hubert for making this an unforgettable experience.
Carl S
Carl S
2019-09-26
Tansania Safari Arusha Nationalpark Great funny and informative guide, we made a Tour through Arusha Nationalpark and he explained everthing very well and interesting. The booking was easy and surprisingly cheaper than other tour agents.

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