The Best time to visit Tanzania
Tanzania is located in Eastern part of Africa and is also a member of the East African community. Tanzania is one of the top African countries in terms of tourist attractions, particularly game parks, which makes predicting the best time to visit Tanzania
The dry season is generally the best time to visit the country because many animals can be seen roaming around the various game parks in search of water, which has become scarce due to the heat. You will witness predators timing their prey that lounges along the banks of available water sources. More to this, the roads are dry and it becomes easy to Manoeuvre around the game parks in Tanzania.
Although there is no complete ideal time to visit Tanzania, as it may vary from one guest’s interests to another, there are several particular seasons that one must not miss when traveling to Tanzania. Therefore, check out the various month by month seasons in Tanzania along with the optimum weather conditions to determine when someone can travel to Tanzania.
Best time to visit Tanzania Month – by – Month
January – February:
In Tanzania, the majority of the country has hot weather during the early days of Jan, particularly along the coast. Additionally, it is dry everywhere, especially on Kilimanjaro, making the dry, mild months of December through February potentially the best for climbing the mountain. On the Ndutu Plains, it is calving season, so going there in January, especially toward the end of the month is a great way to see lots of wildebeest.
The hot weather persists through February, but rains have begun to fall in some areas of the nation, though they usually appear at night, providing relief from the drought and bringing with them greenery, flowers, and birds. This might be a good time for visiting Zanzibar for a beach holiday.
March – April - May:
As the month’s year progresses to March and by this month’s end, the lengthy rains are in full force, though it rarely rains all day or every day. Hotels that are still operational during the off-season and they frequently offer discounts, and you’ll have many places to yourself if you travel in these months.
This is also the month when the migrating herds begin to depart Ndutu in the direction of Grumeti in the west of the country. Because of the major rains, from the humidity rises, this is the true low season. Again, this time of year offers fantastic rates that can be benefited from.
In April, although much of the country is still wet, some areas of the rains are starting to stop. If you can work your way around the mud, this is a lovely time to travel due to the lush landscapes, wildflowers, and birds, as well as the continued low season prices. Climbing Kilimanjaro is more dangerous during this season.
Although May is still technically considered to be part of the rainy season, it has been rather dry in some areas around the country recently and rain is not predicted to last all day on the mainland. May is not the best month to travel to Zanzibar due to the high amount of rain that the island can suffer during this month. Although beautiful throughout many parks in the country, the dense greenery makes it more challenging to detect wildlife.
June – July:
When the lengthy rainy season finally ends at the beginning of June, Tanzania is covered in lush foliage and is a fantastic time to go bird watching. The savannah often grows drier and easier to spot wildlife by the end of the month. In June, the migration starts from the Grumeti River and moves north.
As of July, the peak season has just begun. Elephants begin to cluster in Tarangire as the Migration moves northward through the Serengeti toward Kenya. The land is becoming drier, making it simpler to spot game. Low humidity and high 20°C to early 30°C temperatures are present. With sparse vegetation and animals congregating at diminishing water sources, this month is ideal for wildlife viewing.
August – September
Tanzania is beautiful in August since it is dry and cool. As wildlife begins to look for water sources, guides can predict their movements and you have a better chance of seeing The Big Five.
At Lake Natron, flamingos also flock in large numbers because they may find food and refuge there. The islands in the Indian Ocean are also where turtles hatch during this time giving you a chance to spot some. Both the wildebeest and zebra migration through the Serengeti continues as the dry weather persist. Almost everywhere is at its best right now for wildlife viewing.
As for September, almost the entire nation enjoys September’s pleasant temperatures, dry conditions, good wildlife viewing opportunities, and abundance of activities, such as visiting the nation’s stunning beaches or climbing Kilimanjaro.
September usually marks the final month of the busy season, so it may be very hectic and expensive. The Serengeti is still covered in migratory herds of wildebeest and zebra. The Mara River is the largest barrier for the herds, thus they are pouring out of Kenya’s Northern Serengeti. It can be thrilling to see herds of wildebeest desperately swim through crocodile-infested waterways; frequently, there are scenes of immense fear and confusion that serve as reminders to travelers of the cyclical nature of life on the African Plains.
Generally, August to September, when the water is extremely clean at the coast, is also the best time for divers.
October – November –December
October is still relatively dry and an excellent time for trekking, safaris, and self-drive and enjoying Tanzania’s beaches even if it is no longer peak season. There are still lots of animals to witness, even if the migration has now reached Kenya.
The beginning of the month of November is preferable for travel because the brief rainy season can occasionally begin by the end of October.
As for November, we start experiencing brief rains. It’s still a popular time to travel and a terrific opportunity to benefit from low season prices. There is a chance of rain throughout the day as well, although it usually showers at night. Crossings can be visible in the Serengeti‘s north as migratory herds start to move south from Kenya. Whale sharks can also be observed off the coasts of Zanzibar and Mafia from November through March.
The brief wet season ends in the middle of December. From December to March, there may still be a few brief rainstorms, although they normally only last one or two hours. Zanzibar travel is ideal in this month as temperatures are gradually rising. It is advisable to make reservations in advance because the days leading up to Christmas can be quite busy and expensive.
It’s also an ideal time to climb Mt Kilimanjaro and to see the wildebeest in the southern Serengeti.