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Best time to visit Tanzania: month by month
Short answer
June to October is the dry season and the best for game viewing, with highs of about 21-27°C in the north and animals gathered at water; it is also peak season. January to February is the calving season in the southern Serengeti. The long rains in April and May bring heavy downpours (about 15-25 rainy days a month) and lower prices.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C | 15°C | 11 | high |
| Feb | 27°C | 16°C | 14 | high |
| Mar | 27°C | 16°C | 14 | medium |
| Apr | 24°C | 17°C | 25 | low |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 15 | low |
| Jun | 21°C | 14°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 21°C | 13°C | 11 | very high |
| Aug | 23°C | 14°C | 11 | very high |
| Sep | 25°C | 14°C | 8 | high |
| Oct | 27°C | 15°C | 6 | high |
| Nov | 26°C | 16°C | 14 | medium |
| Dec | 26°C | 16°C | 20 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Warm at about 23-27°C, with the long rains from March to May; green and quiet, some camps close.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The cool dry season: about 21-23°C by day and 13-14°C at night, colder on the Ngorongoro rim; excellent game viewing.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Dry and warming to about 25-27°C until the short rains begin in November; Mara River crossings in the north.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Warm at about 26-27°C with short rains in December; calving season around Ndutu from January to March.
Events worth planning around
- Great Migration calving season in the southern Serengeti, January to March
- Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti, July to October
- Sauti za Busara music festival in Stone Town, usually February
- Zanzibar International Film Festival, usually June or July
When to avoid
April and May, when heavy rains make roads difficult and some camps close. Ramadan on Zanzibar changes opening hours, and eating in public by day is not appropriate.
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Common questions
What is the best time for a safari in Tanzania?
June to October for dry-season game viewing, or January to February for the calving season in the southern Serengeti.
When does the Great Migration cross the Mara River?
Usually from about July to October in the northern Serengeti, though timing varies each year.
When is the rainy season in Tanzania?
The long rains in April and May, and the short rains around November to December.