Best Time to Visit Tanzania

The best time to visit Tanzania is dependent on what wildlife you’d like to see. As with all safari countries, wildlife numbers and experiences are dictated by the rains. Tanzania’s main event tends to be the Great Wildebeest Migration, which actually happens year-round through the Serengeti ecozystem. Most travelers aiming to see the migration will visit between July and September in the hopes of witnessing a river crossing. Certainly, a sight to behold, but note that this time of year is quite busy.

Best time to visit

An often-overlooked time to travel to Tanzania is November through March, often referred to as the ‘green’ or ‘secret’ season. With a small chance of rain in November and into December, the secret season affords visitors a much quieter experience. Envision dramatic and moody skies, bright and fluid migratory birds, and the great migration settled, grazing with their newly born calves. We would avoid travel in April and May, when heavy rains typically fall and wildlife viewing coming to a halt.

Monthly Climate Guide for Tanzania

, Tanzania

Average temperatures (Fahrenheit) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
93°F 8mm
Feb
94°F 18mm
Mar
93°F 17mm
Apr
88°F 24mm
May
83°F 10mm
Jun
82°F 4mm
Jul
83°F 2mm
Aug
83°F 3mm
Sep
87°F 2mm
Oct
91°F 4mm
Nov
90°F 8mm
Dec
89°F 10mm
Jan
82°F 15mm
Feb
83°F 16mm
Mar
84°F 22mm
Apr
83°F 16mm
May
83°F 5mm
Jun
83°F 0mm
Jul
83°F 0mm
Aug
85°F 1mm
Sep
86°F 2mm
Oct
86°F 8mm
Nov
84°F 15mm
Dec
81°F 18mm
Jan
82°F 16mm
Feb
83°F 17mm
Mar
83°F 24mm
Apr
81°F 16mm
May
81°F 3mm
Jun
81°F 1mm
Jul
80°F 2mm
Aug
84°F 1mm
Sep
88°F 1mm
Oct
88°F 2mm
Nov
90°F 7mm
Dec
82°F 14mm
Jan
84°F 9mm
Feb
87°F 10mm
Mar
88°F 17mm
Apr
86°F 27mm
May
84°F 14mm
Jun
83°F 5mm
Jul
83°F 2mm
Aug
85°F 3mm
Sep
86°F 7mm
Oct
86°F 9mm
Nov
86°F 15mm
Dec
82°F 13mm
Jan
91°F 6mm
Feb
92°F 4mm
Mar
93°F 35mm
Apr
91°F 42mm
May
88°F 10mm
Jun
86°F 4mm
Jul
86°F 2mm
Aug
85°F 2mm
Sep
86°F 3mm
Oct
87°F 7mm
Nov
89°F 12mm
Dec
89°F 8mm

Our Experts Say...

"Tanzania truly shines during its long dry season from July to October. Grasses are shorter creating better viewing of resident wildllife and water becomes scarce allowing your guides to focus on water sources to find animals. The annual wildebeest migration will be in the northern Serengeti at this time of year with infamous river crossings expected primarily in July, September and October. "

Bjorn Behlert, Tanzania Specialist

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