Trip planning
Tanzania Climate
When to go — and what can you expect?
20–30°C
safari temperature
Jun–Oct
dry season
Jul–Aug
peak season
12
months safari possible
Month by month
JanDry
28°C · 20mm
Calving season in Ndutu
FebDry
29°C · 15mm
Best month Ndutu
MarWet
27°C · 60mm
Rains begin
AprWet
25°C · 90mm
Green Serengeti, low season
MayWet
24°C · 70mm
Last rains
JunDry
24°C · 10mm
Grumeti river crossings
JulPeak
23°C · 5mm
Mara crossings begin
AugPeak
24°C · 5mm
Migration peak
SepDry
25°C · 10mm
Excellent wildlife
OctWet
26°C · 40mm
Short rains
NovWet
26°C · 55mm
Green landscapes
DecDry
27°C · 35mm
Trek towards Ndutu
The two seasons
☀️
Dry season (June–October)
Advantages
- +Little rain, pleasant weather
- +Low vegetation — animals more visible
- +Mara river crossings (Jul–Aug)
- +All roads accessible
Considerations
- –Busier (especially Jul–Aug)
- –Higher prices during peak season
🌿
Green season (November–May)
Advantages
- +Lower prices (15–30% less)
- +Fewer tourists, quieter
- +Lush green landscapes
- +Calving season in Ndutu (Jan–Feb)
Considerations
- –Rain can make roads impassable
- –Dense vegetation, animals harder to spot
- –More mosquitoes
"There is no bad season for Tanzania — just different experiences. In April you drive through a green Serengeti without another car in sight. In August you stand beside 50 jeeps at the river crossing. Both are beautiful — just different."
— Allard, Simba Tours
Frequently asked questions
When is the absolute best time for a Tanzania safari?+
July and August are the most popular months: dry weather, the Great Migration with Mara river crossings, and excellent wildlife viewing. But June, September and October are also excellent — less crowds, comparable wildlife.
Can I also go on safari during the rainy season?+
Yes, definitely. January and February are excellent for the calving season in Ndutu. The short rains (October–November) are often limited and rarely interrupt a game drive. In April and May too, most travellers experience little disruption from rain. The rain is often short but heavy. Besides, the landscape is beautifully green.
How warm is it in Tanzania?+
On safari (Serengeti, Ngorongoro) daytime temperatures are 20–30°C. At night in the Ngorongoro Crater it can drop to 10°C. On the coast (Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam) it is warmer: 28–33°C year-round.