Tanzania Travel Guide Best Time To Visit

By Philip Briggs
Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

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The best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing is generally at its best. This is also the best time to see the and are best visited during the Dry season (June to October), unlike the more popular that can be visited year-round.

Best Time June to October (All parks), January to February (Serengeti for the wildebeest calving)

High Season July to March (Northern circuit parks; all get crowded), June to October (Southern and Western circuit parks; only Nyerere gets crowded)

Low Season April and May (many lodges are closed in the Southern and Western circuit parks)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Worst Weather March to May (Peak of the Wet season)

June to October Dry Season

The wildebeest migration is in Serengeti
August and September are the best months to see the Mara River wildebeest crossings in Northern Serengeti
Animals are easier to spot since they gather around waterholes and rivers
There are fewer mosquitoes because there is little to no rain
Skies are clear and most days are sunny
Mornings and nights get cold; bring warm clothing
It is high season and some areas get crowded

November to May Wet Season

January to February is the wildebeest calving in Southern Serengeti and is an excellent time to see predator action
The scenery is green and beautiful
April and May are low season, meaning lower rates and less-crowded parks
Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you'll still see plenty, especially in the Northern circuit parks
Migratory birds are present from November to April and bird watching is at its best
Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom interfere with activities
March to May is the peak of the Wet season
Wildlife viewing in Tarangire, Katavi, Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha National Parks is better during the Dry season

Wildlife Photos

Lioness in yellow grass

Bat-eared fox

+23 Photos

Wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River during the great migration

Wildebeest during the great migration

Four plains zebras

Leopard with cubs

Savannah elephant roaming around

Lion with cub walking on rocks

Black rhino with warthogs

Cheetahs resting

Elephant bulls in the crater

Zebras walking across salt flats in the crater

Common eland in the crater

Black-backed jackal with a Thomson's gazelle kill

Face of a lion

Common hippo yawning

Buffalo herd at sunset

Masai giraffe browsing

Male lion resting

Spotted hyena by a tree

Nile crocodile sliding into the water of the Rufiji River

Lions mating

Wild dog lying in the late sun

Chimpanzee resting with legs crossed

Chimps

Best Time To Go by Major Park

The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. June to October are the best months for seeing the migration, and January to February is the best time for the wildebeest calving. The dry months offer good wildlife viewing throughout Tanzania. Tarangire and the and (including Katavi, Nyerere and Ruaha) are best visited in the Dry season, from June to October.

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Tanzania Travel Guide Best Time To Visit

June to October Dry Season

November to May Wet Season

Wildlife Photos

Lioness in yellow grass

Bat-eared fox

Wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River during the great migration

Wildebeest during the great migration

Four plains zebras

Leopard with cubs

Savannah elephant roaming around

Lion with cub walking on rocks

Black rhino with warthogs

Cheetahs resting

Elephant bulls in the crater

Zebras walking across salt flats in the crater

Common eland in the crater

Black-backed jackal with a Thomson's gazelle kill

Face of a lion

Common hippo yawning

Buffalo herd at sunset

Masai giraffe browsing

Male lion resting

Spotted hyena by a tree

Nile crocodile sliding into the water of the Rufiji River

Lions mating

Wild dog lying in the late sun

Chimpanzee resting with legs crossed

Chimps

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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Tanzania Travel Guide Tanzania flag Best Time To Visit

June to October Dry Season

November to May Wet Season

Wildlife Photos

Lioness in yellow grass

Bat-eared fox

Wildebeest and zebras crossing the Mara River during the great migration

Wildebeest during the great migration

Four plains zebras

Leopard with cubs

Savannah elephant roaming around

Lion with cub walking on rocks

Black rhino with warthogs

Cheetahs resting

Elephant bulls in the crater

Zebras walking across salt flats in the crater

Common eland in the crater

Black-backed jackal with a Thomson's gazelle kill

Face of a lion

Common hippo yawning

Buffalo herd at sunset

Masai giraffe browsing

Male lion resting

Spotted hyena by a tree

Nile crocodile sliding into the water of the Rufiji River

Lions mating

Wild dog lying in the late sun

Chimpanzee resting with legs crossed

Chimps

Best Time To Go by Major Park

Want To Visit Tanzania?

Safari Tours to Tanzania

7-Day Honeymoon Safari Adventure - Mid-Range

7-Day Experience Big Five Safari in Tanzania

7-Day Luxury All-Inclusive Epic Safari

Tanzania Travel Guide Best Time To Visit