When to Go on a Tanzania Safari
By the Foot Slopes Tours and Safaris team
Written by our Arusha-based guides and private safari planners from first-hand experience in Tanzania.
When to go on a Tanzania safari depends on what you most want to see. The dry season from June to October brings classic game viewing and the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti, while January and February are the calving months in Ndutu and the southern Serengeti. The green season from March to May offers lush scenery, few visitors and better-value rates. This month-by-month guide from our Arusha-based team explains weather, wildlife, crowds, costs, events and where to go in every month, so you can choose the right time for your private tailor-made safari.
The best time for a Tanzania safari is the dry season from June to October for classic game viewing and river crossings, or January to February for the calving season in the southern Serengeti. March to May is the quietest, best-value green season.
Tanzania Safari Month by Month
ExcellentGood / mixedGreen season
Tanzania Seasons at a Glance
| Month | Season | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| January | Short dry season | Migration in Ndutu, calving begins, Zanzibar sunshine |
| February | Short dry season | Calving peak in Ndutu, predators, Kilimanjaro climbs |
| March | Long rains begin | Green landscapes, late calving, lower rates |
| April | Long rains | Quietest month, lush scenery, best-value rates |
| May | Long rains ease | Herds in the central and western Serengeti, green season |
| June | Dry season starts | Western Corridor and Grumeti crossings, cool and clear |
| July | Dry season | Mara River crossings begin, peak wildlife viewing |
| August | Dry season | Mara River crossings, excellent across all parks |
| September | Dry season | Northern Serengeti crossings, Tarangire elephants |
| October | Dry season | Herds in the north, quieter parks, warm days |
| November | Short rains | Herds return south, birding, green-season value |
| December | Short rains | Herds in the south, festive safaris, Zanzibar |
Design Your Private Safari
Tell us when you can travel and what you would love to see, and our Arusha team will design a private tailor-made safari for the right season.
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