Best Time to Visit Tanzania

Best Time for Wildlife Safaris (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Ruaha, Selous, and More)

Dry Season (June to October) – Best for Wildlife Viewing

🔹 Why? This is the peak safari season, with animals gathering around water sources, making them easier to spot. The vegetation is also less dense, and the skies are clear.

✅ Best Places to Visit:

• Serengeti National Park – Great for general wildlife viewing.
• Ngorongoro Crater – High density of animals in a small area.
• Tarangire National Park – Famous for elephants and baobab trees.
• Ruaha & Nyerere National Park (Selous) – Fewer crowds, great predator sightings.

⚠️ Things to Note:

• This is high season, so prices for lodges and tours are higher.
• Mornings and evenings can be cold, so pack warm clothing.

Wet Season (November to May) – Best for Bird Watching & Green Landscapes

🔹 Why? This is the low season, meaning fewer crowds and lower prices. Parks are lush and green, and birdlife is incredible with migratory species arriving.

✅ Best Places to Visit:

• Serengeti (April-May) – Beautiful green landscapes and dramatic storms.
• Tarangire (November–March) – Best time for birdwatching.
• Selous, Ruaha, Katavi – Remote parks with fewer tourists.

⚠️ Things to Note:

• March to May is the long rainy season, making some roads muddy and difficult to navigate.
• Wildlife is harder to spot due to thick vegetation.

Best Time to Witness the Great Migration

The Great Migration happens year-round, but the best time to see river crossings and mass movements depends on where you go.

• December to March – The wildebeest calving season in Southern Serengeti (Ndutu area). Predators like lions and cheetahs are active.
• April to June – The migration moves northward; the animals spread out.
• July to October – The famous Mara River crossings in Northern Serengeti. This is the most dramatic period, with wildebeest crossing crocodile-infested waters into Kenya’s Masai Mara.
• November – The migration heads back south.

🔹 Best Time for River Crossings: July–October (Northern Serengeti)

Best Time for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but some seasons are better than others.

Best Time: Dry Seasons (January–March & June–October)

✅ Why?

• Clear skies and dry conditions make the trek easier.
• Less rain reduces the chances of slippery trails.

⚠️ Things to Consider:

• January–March is colder at the summit but quieter with fewer climbers.
• June–October is the busiest time, with the best weather.

Rainy Season (April–May & November–December) – Not Recommended

⚠️ Why?

• Heavy rains make trails muddy and slippery.
• Less visibility due to clouds.
• Higher chances of altitude sickness due to humidity.

Best Time for Visiting Zanzibar and Tanzania’s Beaches

The best time to visit Zanzibar, Pemba, and Mafia Islands depends on whether you want to relax on the beaches, go diving, or explore historical sites.

Best Time: June–October & December–February

✅ Why?

• Dry and sunny weather, perfect for beach activities.
• Best conditions for snorkeling, diving, and swimming.
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Best Time for Diving: October–March & July–August

✅ Why?

• October–March: Best visibility on the eastern coast (Mnemba Atoll, Pemba).
• July–August: Best time to see whale