Best Time to Visit Tanzania for Safari, Migration + Worst Time (Month By Month)
Best Time to Visit Tanzania for Safari, Migration + Worst Time (Month By Month). When in Tanzania you are most likely to see certain animals is a matter of personal preference. Depending on when you go, you can expect a somewhat varied experience because the country’s seasons and wildlife counts are controlled by the rainfall.
The Great Migration is the main draw to Tanzania. It happens all year round in the Serengeti. From July through September, many come to see the massive herds of zebra and wildebeest as they ford the Mara River, causing a flurry of activity as the animals try to dodge the crocodiles and other predators that are lurking in the water. However, during this time of year, the park will be bustling with automobiles.
There is a lot less activity in Tanzania during the “green season” (November–March). The arrival of thousands of migratory birds makes this a great time for birdwatching, despite the possibility of rain. Newborn calves from Great Migration herds are also seen.
Heavy rains in April and May often ruin wildlife viewing in Tanzania, so that’s the only time of year we try to avoid going there.
Best Time to Visit Tanzania
Tanzania is at its driest between July and October, making that season the ideal to go there. During this time, you can see migratory animals crossing rivers, but the grasses and bushes aren’t as thick, so you can see even more wildlife in the parks.
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Best Time to Visit Tanzania
Month-by-month guide for traveling in Tanzania
Visiting Tanzania in January
The humidity is rising, the temperature is rising, and rain is possible. You can still get a great safari experience and cheaper pricing if you go now. The Ndutu Plains are bustling with activity during calving season in the Serengeti’s southeast, but it’s truly remarkable to witness such a concentration of wildlife in one area.
Events & Festivals
- During Tanzania’s Green Season (November–March), which is characterized by the arrival of thousands of migrating birds, birdwatchers are treated to exceptional chances.
Visiting Tanzania in February
Ndutu is still seeing migration. Humidity is high and there’s a probability of precipitation.
Events & Festivals
- During Tanzania’s Green Season (November–March), which is characterized by the arrival of thousands of migrating birds, birdwatchers are treated to exceptional chances.
Visiting Tanzania in March
A number of herds have begun to leave Ndutu in search of Grumeti in the west. Despite the increasing humidity, this is the low season just before the rains come down hard. At this time of year, you can take advantage of great pricing.
Events & Festivals
- During Tanzania’s Green Season (November–March), which is characterized by the arrival of thousands of migrating birds, birdwatchers are treated to exceptional chances.
Visiting Tanzania in April – May
We do not recommend traveling during this time due to the excessive rain.
Visiting Tanzania in June
The arrival of verdant grasses and shrubs during this time of year could make it more challenging to identify wildlife. Still, this is a fantastic time to travel, especially if you’re interested in bird watching; parks, especially in the south, are teeming with migrating birds. Migrants should be making their way north through the Serengeti’s Grumeti area.
Visiting Tanzania in July
The busiest time of year has begun. As the Serengeti Migration approaches Kenya from the north, elephants begin congregating in Tarangire. The terrain is drying up, and it’s getting easier to locate game. Low humidity and temperatures in the 80s are the weather conditions.
Events & Festivals
- During the Great Migration in Africa, you get the greatest opportunity to witness hundreds of animals making their way across Tanzania’s rivers on their magnificent journey across the continent.
Visiting Tanzania in August
Busiest time of year. Up north, migration is ongoing. The desertification of the land causes the animals to act in a predictable manner. Due to the drying out of the dense jungle in Ruaha, animal spotting has become considerably simpler.
Events & Festivals
- During the Great Migration in Africa, you get the greatest opportunity to witness hundreds of animals making their way across Tanzania’s rivers on their magnificent journey across the continent.
Visiting Tanzania in September
Busiest time of year. There are large herds of elephant in Tarangire, and the northernmost point of the migration is still up north, where the Tanzanian and Kenyan borders meet. To escape the crowds, it is recommended to visit the southern parks rather than the northern circuit, which can get quite crowded.
Events & Festivals
- During the Great Migration in Africa, you get the greatest opportunity to witness hundreds of animals making their way across Tanzania’s rivers on their magnificent journey across the continent.
Visiting Tanzania in October
Busiest time of year. Game watching in the central Serengeti is still excellent, even if the migration has moved to Kenya. At this time of year, parks in the South are very gratifying.
Visiting Tanzania in November
Drier weather. Still a popular tourist season, this is a fantastic opportunity to save money on lodging and attractions. Although most rain falls during the night, it can also happen during the day. Herds are beginning to make their way south from Kenya, causing crossings to be visible in the Serengeti’s northern regions.
Events & Festivals
- During Tanzania’s Green Season (November–March), which is characterized by the arrival of thousands of migrating birds, birdwatchers are treated to exceptional chances.
Visiting Tanzania in December
In most cases, rain is more likely to fall throughout the night. Humidity and temperature levels begin to rise. Herds from the north are making their way south to Ndutu, making for a great safari. Planning ahead is essential to guarantee availability throughout the holiday season because of how busy it may get.
Events & Festivals
- During Tanzania’s Green Season (November–March), which is characterized by the arrival of thousands of migrating birds, birdwatchers are treated to exceptional chances.
Best Time to Visit Tanzania
High season in Tanzania
The months of June through October are ideal for a safari in Tanzania because of the pleasant weather and the range of natural wonders that can be seen around the country at this time.
As the vegetation thins and water sources decline, game viewing becomes exceptionally good in Ruaha and Selous. During this time of year, exploring the Selous on foot is an absolute must. In the north, you may witness the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River.
In the west, at this time of year you can combine a visit to Katavi National Park with a hike in the Mahale Mountains, giving you a taste of Tanzania’s natural beauty while also providing one of the continent’s top opportunities to see chimpanzees up close.
Operating a little differently, the Serengeti offers breathtaking animal watching all year long. The key is to visit the park at the correct time of year to avoid the throng and find oneself in secluded, game-rich sections.
Insane Tanzania Safari (You Won’t Believe What We Saw!) – Serengeti
Low season in Tanzania
There are some fantastic instances of Tanzania’s wildlife outside of the peak months, even though the “green season” is supposedly the country’s best kept secret.
April in the Gol Mountains, for instance, is one of our favorite periods because it is beautiful, secluded, and ideal for a mobile safari because there are no permanent lodges there.
During the months of December through May, visitors to the Serengeti and its environs can enjoy some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing in all of Africa. This includes witnessing the southern Serengeti’s wildebeest migration as they give birth, going on a walking safari in northern Tanzania during the cooler months when the landscape is vibrant with color, or visiting Tarangire during this time of year for its exceptional birdlife.
It might be a smart move to combine these experiences with off-season pricing and few visitors.
SAFARI in Tanzania was NOT what I expected! (Tarangire & Serengeti)
Tanzania travel guides
Tanzania is a popular choice for honeymooners, families, and experienced tourists due to its versatility as an African destination. Fantastic animal viewing, endless walking and trekking options, and tiny beach resorts are all part of this country, which is home to the Big Five, Mount Kilimanjaro, and is within easy reach of relaxed and lovely Zanzibar.
Regardless of your interests, our Tanzania travel guides will help you plan an informed trip to one of the most tempting safari destinations in Africa.
Inspiring Tanzania Itineraries
Every client’s interests are carefully considered as we craft one-of-a-kind itineraries, ranging from genuine safari adventures to opulent retreats. In the past, we have designed a number of custom vacations for our clients.
Tanzania Travel advice
Here you will find up-to-date travel information from the US State Department as well as practical suggestions for traveling to Tanzania, including topics such as social customs and money problems.
Places to Visit in Tanzania
Tanzania, with its abundance of expansive parks and reserves, is the ideal location for a safari. If you want to see some wildebeest during the Great Migration—when hundreds of thousands of them travel from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the plains of the Serengeti—this is a great location to go. Nyerere National Park also has secluded campsites where you may see giraffes, hippos, and colorful birds in their natural habitat. Another option is to go to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is home to the Big Five in a huge volcanic crater.
Things to Do in Tanzania
Tanzania is the Africa you’ve always dreamed of—the land of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Great Migration of wildebeests roaring across the Serengeti. Among the many exciting activities available in the nation are descents into the Ngorongoro Crater (at an altitude of 1,960 feet) in pursuit of rhino and chimpanzee tracking in the Mahale Mountains.