Tanzania is Africa’s most famous safari with its massive savannahs, rich wildlife, and iconic game parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire. Your Tanzania safari will be a memory to last a lifetime — from watching the Great Migration to seeing the Big Five — but timing will be everything when you embark on your adventure. In this article, we will unveil the best time for a Tanzania safari so you can schedule your vacation to the ultimate adventure.
Prior to entering when to visit Tanzania for a safari, there is a requirement to know about the seasonal dynamics of the country. Tanzania experiences a tropical climate and two primary seasons:
1. Dry Season (June to October)
2. Wet Season (November to May)
All four seasons offer a unique wildlife experience, and knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of each will allow you to make the most of your tour.
When: June to October
This is usually the Tanzania safari best time for most reasons. The dry season is perfect weather-wise and perfect from the perspective of possibility of viewing animals at work.
Wildlife Visibility: As water bodies recede, animals can be seen congregating around surviving rivers and water points. Sight thus becomes localized and predictable.
Vegetation is Low: Grasses are short, and there is low vegetation cover, thereby facilitating viewing animals at a distance.
Cooler Weather: The dry weather, whose pleasant day weather and reduced humidity make it ideal for game drives.
Great Migration (Serengeti): See millions of wildebeests and zebras migrate across the grasslands or attempt crocodile-infested river crossings — a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Serengeti National Park: July to October are the prime months to observe the northern Serengeti river crossings of the Great Migration.
Ngorongoro Crater: Nice wildlife at all times but particularly clear and dry during these months.
Tarangire National Park: Famous for its elephant herds and baobab trees, Tarangire is best visited from July to October when the animals gather near the Tarangire River.
Lake Manyara: Dry season allows this little park to be more accessible and great for spotting tree-climbing lions.
When: November to May
Not the best conventional time to go on a Tanzanian safari, but rainy season is also a sort of lovely. It’s green, theatrical, and full of life. The rainy season falls into two categories:
Short Rains: November to mid-December
March to May: Long Rains
Baby Animals: It is calving time for many species, specifically between January and March. Predators tend to stick around, and the theatrics can unfold.
Bird Watching: Migrating birds migrate to Tanzania, and heaven for birders.
Less Tourists: You’ll have more tranquil parks and fewer crowded encounters, with fewer tour and accommodation prices.
Green Scenery: The scenery is green and lush, ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
Southern Serengeti (Ndutu area): From December to March, the area is the calving grounds of the Great Migration. It’s a great place to see calves and predator-prey interactions.
Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park: Southern parks are closer to the short rains and provide off-the-beaten-path safaris.
Ngorongoro Crater: Year-round game viewing, as the crater forms a closed ecosystem.
To help you plan even more, here is a month-by-month guide for when to go to Tanzania on safari, considering wildlife activity, climate, and travel benefits.
January – February
Highlights: Calving season in the Southern Serengeti. Spot baby antelope, wildebeest, and zebra, and predators on the prowl for them.
Advantages: Some roads may be muddy; short rain leftovers possible.
Best For: Photographers, predator sightings, wildlife births.
March – May
Advantages: Less crowd and scenic beauty. Good bargains on accommodation.
Disadvantages: Road closures because of long rains; some camps closed.
Best For: Budget tourists, birders, dramatic landscapes.
June
Advantages: Dry season starts. National parks are open and game viewing improves significantly.
Disadvantages: Chilly mornings and nights.
Best For: Beginning of peak safari season.
July – October
Pro: Peak season for safari. Good game viewing and migration activity.
Con: More cost and larger crowds.
Best For: Great Migration, Big Five, first-time safarigoers.
November – December
Pro: Revitalizing short rains; fewer people; Great Migration heads south.
Con: Rain showers in the afternoon.
Best For: Birding, early calving season, budget safaris.
June to October: River crossings in northern areas. It.
December to March: Calving in the south.
Tip: Book ahead and plan to book along the migration path.
June to October is the best time to see lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos, particularly in Ngorongoro and Serengeti.
• July to September: Excellent wildlife viewing and dry conditions make this the optimal time for high-end safari lodges and private game drives.
April to May and November: Indulge in superb discounts in costs of lodges and tours, and fewer tourists.
Other Things to Consider When Planners Your Safari
Booking in Advance
If you are traveling at the peak season of the Tanzania safari of June to October, reserve rooms and flights at least 6–12 months prior.
Dry Season: Sunscreen, sunhat, light clothes, unpatterned clothing.
Wet Season: Insect repellent, rapid drying clothing, waterproof jacket, and waterproof shoes.
Take malaria prophylaxis, drink plenty of water, and take advice from your safari guide.
The best time for Tanzania safari depends on your activity preference:
For the peak of the safari period and optimal game viewing, choose June to October — high safari season and dry season.
For frugal travel, leaf, and baby animals, travel between January and March or the green season of November to May.
For the rest, such as the Great Migration or calving, concentrate in February (Ndutu region) or July to September (north Serengeti).
Lastly, Tanzania has incredible safari experiences all year round — and with some planning ahead, you will be witnessing nature’s greatest shows at their best.
Excellent Safaris Your trusted partner for unforgettable African adventures. Based in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.