Best travel time for Tanzania

Best Time for Safari in Tanzania

Tanzania as a coastal country experiences different weather conditions in different parts of the country at different times of the year. If you want to visit Tanzania for an all round safari there is no right time and therefore the activities you want to do during your safari will largely determine the best time to visit the country for a fun trip.

The country experiences two main seasons namely the dry season and the rainy season, throughout the year namely the rainy season and the dry season. If you are visiting the country for the first time then the best time is during the dry season (June to October), especially if you are into game drives and the rainy season (November to April).

The best time to visit the different national parks depends entirely on the activities you want to do there. For example, if you want to go game viewing then the best time is during the dry season which is generally May to October and for anyone who loves bird watching the best time is during the rainy season also known as the green season and this is experienced from November to April, with the heavy rains coming in the months of March and April. It is also important to note that the safari cost in Tanzania depends on the season. Low season requires low safari cost.

The best times to visit some of Tanzania's most famous tourist destinations have been summarized below so you can plan your trip accordingly.

Visiting Tarangire National Park
The best time to visit Tarangire National Park is from June to October during the dry season, which can be described as peak season due to the large number of tourists visiting the park. This is because you can easily spot the animals as they congregate around the waterholes.

The dry season has pros and cons, for example animals migrate to the park increasing the number of animals you will see. Malaria is at its lowest at this time due to fewer mosquitoes and the weather is quite benign for a game drive. However, due to the heat, you must dress appropriately in light clothing to mitigate the heat.

The green season, also called the rainy season, occurs between the months of November and April. This is the best time for bird watching as many migratory birds fly into the park during this time, you can also see some wild animals calving and safari costs are low this season due to heavy rains. Note that this is not the best time for game viewing as most animals migrate when the rains start. The months of March and April have the heaviest rainfall and should be avoided if possible.

Visiting Katavi National
Park Located in an arid reserve in Tanzania, Katavi National Park is home to a fairly large herd of game and bird species, making it a perfect safari destination. The best time to visit Katavi Park is during the dry season, although you can also visit during the rainy season if you love bird watching.

From November to April these months come with heavy and mild rains in Katavi making it a bad time for anyone who loves game drives. It becomes very difficult to see the animals as most of them move to other areas when it rains, but it is the best time for bird watching. Costs are low, some shelters close due to flooding during this time, and the likelihood of contracting malaria is high.

May to October, this is the dry season and the best time to visit the national park. Animals are easy to see during the dry season due to limited water and sparse vegetation, and the roads are passable compared to the wet season.

Visit to Tanzania

Visiting Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is best known for the annual wildebeest migration where you can see wildlife crossing from the Serengeti into the Masai Mara and this occurs after the park's rains begin.

June to October is the best time to see the wildebeest migration, especially between June and July. Animals can be seen easily during this time as most of them congregate around the few waterholes that exist in the park. It's also easy to drive through the park as the roads are passable and not flooded.

November to May, these months come with the rainy season and it is the best time for bird watching and wildlife viewing during the calving season. Malaria is on the rise at this time of year with the increase in mosquitoes, some shelters are also closing and roads are becoming impassable. It is the best time for tourists who love bird watching and don't like big crowds.

Visiting Ngorongoro National Park
The dry season from June to October is usually the best time for you to visit Ngorongoro National Park. During this time, there is little or no rain, resulting in limited sources of litter and a thinning of vegetation, making it easy to spot the animals. Most of the animals in Ngorongoro can be easily viewed from the crater side.

The rainy season, also known as the green season, occurs between November and May. This time has fewer tourists and is best for bird watchers. Migratory birds from different parts of the world increase the number of bird species to be observed. Some accommodation establishments close during this period and the cost of most of the services provided is low. At this time of the year it is extremely difficult to see the animals as they are always scattered throughout the national park due to the sufficient grazing and water supply.

Visiting Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is best hiked during the dry season from July to October. During this period, the slopes are not slippery, the weather is favorable for hiking, and it is easy to navigate the mountain because, unlike the rainy season, which is sometimes accompanied by fog, you can easily see where you are going. The rainy season occurs from November to April and you should not attempt to climb Kilimanjaro during this time. The mountain is surrounded by fog, wet slopes, and not to mention the ice, which makes hiking difficult.

Note that the weather around Kilimanjaro is constantly changing drastically. So before planning a hike, first ask your tour operator if it is the right time to do it.

Visiting Ruaha National Park
Like most national parks in Tanzania, Ruaha is best visited during the dry season, which runs from June to October, before the green season begins in the months of November to April. The dry season is best for game drives as you can see different animals all congregating around the same water source, while the best time for bird watching is during the green season when migratory birds fly in. During the green season, humidity is high and so is temperature, so pack accordingly.

Visiting Selous Game Reserve / Nyerere National Park
Selous Game Reserve is best known for being home to wild dogs and these can be easily spotted during the months of June to November, the dry season. Due to the sparse vegetation, other wildlife can also be easily spotted at this time and most of them can be seen flocking around the waterholes due to the intense heat. There are many activities that can be done in this season and for those who don't like crowds this is not the time to visit Selous.

The western season comes with the migratory birds and the calving of many animals and this occurs in the months of March to May with the heavy rains of March and April. Although activities are limited during this period, the costs of the safari are kept very low due to the closure of some accommodations.

When to Travel to
Zanzibar Zanzibar is a large island filled with the most beautiful islands on the East African coast and is the perfect getaway safari spot for singles, couples and families. Surrounded by other smaller islands, Zanzibar also experiences two seasons namely the rainy season and the dry season.

The best time to visit Zanzibar is between June and October, with the best climate in August and September and most of the activities are done during this period, such as the coast and many more.

The rainy season starts in March and ends in May and this is a time when you should try not to visit Zanzibar. Zanzibar has many public holidays that they celebrate and the most important one is during the fasting period of Ramadan. During Ramadan, most activities are suspended and it is therefore advisable to check with your tour operator about this period before booking.

The difference between the low season (green season) and the high season (dry season)
This will help you determine the best time to plan your safari to Tanzania.

In the high season it is crowded, while in the low season there are only a few tourists.
The high season lasts from June to October and the low season from November to April.
In high season you have to book in advance, in low season you have to book late.
The high season has cool and warm weather while the low season is humid with hot conditions.
High season is good for wildlife viewing while low season is good for baby animals and bird watching.