Best Time To Visit Tanzania
By the Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris team
Written by our Arusha-based guides and safari planners from first-hand experience in Tanzania.
Tanzania is a year-round safari destination, but each season offers something different. The dry months bring the easiest game viewing, the green season brings calving, birds and lush scenery, and the long rains bring the quietest parks. The right time depends on what you want to see and do.
Very good Good Long rains
Tanzania Seasons at a Glance
Dry season: June to October
This is the classic safari season. Vegetation thins out and animals gather around rivers and waterholes, making them easier to find. The Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti usually take place in this period. It is also the busiest and most in-demand time, so book early.
Short rains and green season: November to February
Brief afternoon showers turn the plains green. January and February are excellent for the calving season in the southern Serengeti, when predators follow the herds. Birding is at its best, and there are often fewer vehicles than in the peak dry months.
Long rains: March to May
Heavier rain makes some roads muddy and a few camps close, especially in the south and west. In return you get dramatic skies, very few visitors and attractive low-season rates. The northern parks remain open and rewarding.
Best Time by Interest
| Interest | Best months |
|---|---|
| General game viewing | June to October |
| Serengeti calving | January to February |
| Mara River crossings | About July to October |
| Birdwatching | November to April |
| Climbing Kilimanjaro | January to early March, June to October |
| Zanzibar beaches | June to October, December to February |
| Southern and western parks | June to October |
Best Time To Visit FAQs
What is the best month to visit Tanzania?
For general game viewing, June to October is best, with July to September ideal for the northern Serengeti. If you want to see the calving season, choose late January or February.
Is it worth visiting Tanzania in the rainy season?
Yes, if you are flexible. The long rains from March to May bring fewer visitors, green scenery and lower rates. Rain often falls in bursts, and the northern parks still offer good wildlife viewing.
When can I see the wildebeest calving?
Calving usually peaks around February on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a few weeks, attracting lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
The driest and most popular climbing months are January to early March and June to October. Climbs are possible at other times, but expect more rain and cloud.
Find Your Perfect Travel Dates
Tell us when you can travel and what you want to see. Our Arusha team will match your dates to the best parks for a private tailor-made safari.
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