Best Time To Visit Tanzania

Tanzania is a fascinating mix of culture and biodiversity. You will never run out of things to do in Tanzania. Whether it is in the heart of Serengeti National Park or at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, adventure awaits at every corner of this beautiful country. The only question you need to ask is - when is the best time to visit Tanzania? Of course, you would not want to end up in the country at the wrong time and miss out on one of your most desired experiences. Although Tanzania is a year-round destination some times are better than others to visit. When to visit Tanzania depends on the activities you want to partake in. That said, there are some seasons in which Tanzania’s beauty reaches a pinnacle. The high season is between June to September, and this is the best time to visit Tanzania. You will find a good number of tourists at this time because these months are perfect for trekking, safaris, and a beach holiday on top of being the months for the summer vacation in most of the countries in the western world.

Another great time to visit is the months of December, January, and February. The weather in Tanzania is quite warm but bereft of any heavy rainfall. It’s during these months that the wildebeest herds congregate in the Southern Serengeti, calving season happens and they stay there for a while before starting the migration cycle again.

June to September: Good Season

This is the best time to visit Tanzania. The weather is quite mellow, there is no rain, and the chances of good game sightings are much better as well. The lack of rain during this period makes the animals congregate around watering holes, making it easier to find them.

This is a great season for hiking and trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. Even though it is the high tourist season, the peaks are usually not crowded, so you will have an exquisite hiking experience.

October to December: Hot Season

These are some of the warmest months on Tanzania’s weather calendar and there are scattered rains from October till December. But it is just light showers that won’t stop the activities. The off-peak season offers a great opportunity for people who want to visit Tanzania without any of the crowds and save a lot of on-air tickets as well.

The northern circuit parks are a popular destination during these months, as the rains are pretty scattered, and the lush greenery in the area makes it worth the visit.

The northern circuit parks are a popular destination during these months, as the rains are pretty scattered, and the lush greenery in the area makes it worth the visit. If you want to visit Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, or Lake Manyara, this is a good time. This is also a good season for those who want to go to the coastal regions to enjoy water sports or spend a nice, sunny afternoon in one of Tanzania’s many beautiful islands.

January to February: Good Season

The weather in Tanzania gets a little dry around this period, with some respite from the rains. If you are visiting the northern parks you will experience little to no rainfall, however, the same cannot be said of the southern and western parks. It would be wise to avoid Gombe, Selous, Mahale, and Katavi during this period due to the expected rainy season. The season attracts a good number of tourists, so expect some crowds during this period.

You can get some spectacular views of wildebeests and zebras at the Serengeti during this period as the birthing of wildebeest calves and fascinating predatory action takes place in these months. Towards the coast, the winter sun is still pleasant, and the rains are bearable. Precaution against the Mosquitos is highly recommended during these months.

March to May: Wet Season

In the period between the middle of March to the end of May, the weather in Tanzania is at its wettest, and the months attract the least number of tourists. It rains heavily, daily, and the cloud cover is also quite dense. This affects visibility making it more difficult to see those animals, and also makes it more difficult to trek. The coastal regions are particularly affected during this period, as the rains are extremely heavy in these areas.

This season is great for bird watchers, as migratory birds like the yellow-billed stork, African open bill, saddle-billed stork, and black kite make their presence felt in the country. These birds are best viewed in Ruaha National Reserve. Safaris in North Tanzania are still possible to be done in this period too but good planning and understanding of the area are important.