When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

The best time to go on safari in Tanzania is during the dry season between June and October. July and August are the busiest months while June, September and October offer great safari and fewer crowds in the more remote areas. Dry conditions are perfect for wildlife viewing as vegetation is sparse and high densities of wild animals congregate at rivers and water holes.

At Wilderness Usawa Camp, Mwiba Private Reserve, Singita Grumeti and Chem Chem you can enjoy walking safaris and bush walks during the dry season. Between July and October less vegetation makes it safe to set out on foot with expert guides. Walking safaris, combined with hot air balloons and traditional game drives offer a subversive and rewarding safari experience.

The best time to go to Tanzania for birdwatching is between November and May, the green (wet) season. Thousands of migratory birds flock to Tanzania during the green season and you can also spot impressive numbers of pink flamingos at Lake Manyara. To see birds with their impressive breeding plumage the best months to visit are November and December and late March to May.

July to September is the best time to visit the palm fringed islands of the Zanzibar archipelago . During this period, visitors can enjoy cloudless skies and beautiful beach days. At this time there is little to no rainfall. Zanzibar's white sand beaches and turquoise waters can still be explored during October to June, with temperatures typically staying between 28°C (82.4°F) and 34°C (93.2°F) all year round.

We recommend sailing on Dhow boats, snorkelling in the crystal clear waters, visiting a spice farm and of course relaxing on the beaches and enjoying spectacular sunsets.

Chimp trekking through the Mahale Mountains of Tanzania is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you’ll want the best conditions. The dry season of July to October makes climbing easier, meaning you can move deeper into the dense forest, closer to the chimps. These months also see fruit blooming on the lower slopes and bushes, attracting the chimps closer to ground level for better sightings.

The best place to see large herds of elephants in Tanzania is Tarangire National Park, where you'll find large numbers gathering during September and October. These months are very dry and hot with temperatures reaching 29°C (84.2°F) The Tarangire River is a magnet for hot elephants, in great need of water, who come here to cool off in this vital year round water source.

Soaring over the Serengeti, getting a privileged birds-eye glimpse into the natural world below is a must-do experience. If you want to gaze down upon the massive migration, including river crossings, you’ll need to be in the north of the Serengeti and you should travel during July to September. The dry season offers the best clear and calm conditions. In the south of the Serengeti there are some options to balloon safari year round.

The green season, between late January to early February, is the best time to visit southern Serengeti to witness the wildebeest birthing season. Approximately 8,000 calves are born each day, attracting high concentrations of lions, cheetahs, leopards and raptors on the hunt for young wildebeest. The surviving young are tended by their mothers into March and April as they grow strong enough to migrate north.

The wildebeest migration continues its journey north, towards Kenya during May and June. This is one of the best times to see the large concentrations of wildlife in the exclusive Grumeti Private Reserve, as the herds cross the Grumeti River.

The best time to visit Tanzania to see the river crossings of the Great Migration is between July and October, the dry season. The herds start to pick up the pace in search of greener vegetation and cross the Mara River to make it into Kenya. The Mara River is characterised with steep banks and good water levels. Observe dramatic crashes as thousands of wildebeest leap into the water.

During the end of October and start of November the migration is mainly now in Kenya. As November progresses the herds move south, back to north-eastern Tanzania and start the cycle of migration again. In December, the lush vegetation of the Serengeti draws herds of wildebeest, zebras and other animals further south where the calving season begins again.

January to March are great months for beginners to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The weather conditions are stable and temperatures are warmer, the very cold months later in the year can be challenging for beginners.

For beginners it’s a good idea to choose a route you can climb at a slower pace. More time means you can acclimatise to the altitude and enjoy and explore your surroundings. The northern and western routes of Shira and Lemosho can take place over 8 nights and 9 days, a longer time period and often less crowded

The best time for experienced climbers to summit Mount Kilimanjaro is between March and July. Due to colder and snowy conditions fewer travellers tackle the mountain so you can avoid the crowds for an authentic experience in nature.

Experienced climbers can opt for the popular Machame ‘whisky’ route. Approaching from the southwest you’ll pass through a variation of landscapes and reach altitude quickly. The faster pace means you can complete the climb in 6 days and 5 nights. This gives you more time to enjoy Tanzania's other highlights such as safari in the Serengeti or enjoying a well-earned rest on the beaches of Zanzibar.