What is the best time for safari in Tanzania
Dreaming of a Tanzanian safari? Discover the best time to witness incredible wildlife! From June to October, experience prime game viewing as animals gather at watering holes, highlighted by the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti. Seeking lush landscapes and budget-friendly options? The green season (November-May) offers a unique perspective, though rain is possible. Uncover the ideal time for your dream safari adventure – explore now!
Important information
- The dry season (June-October) is best for wildlife viewing due to animals congregating at water sources. This period coincides with the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti.
- The green season (November-May) offers lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower prices, but rain can disrupt travel plans.
- Heavy rainfall in April and May makes wildlife sightings more difficult and may lead to road closures. However, this period offers lower prices and fewer tourists.
- The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are excellent for wildlife viewing during the dry season. Tarangire National Park is another good option.
- For the Great Migration river crossings in the Serengeti, visit between June and October. Ndutu’s calving season, with abundant predator-prey interaction, is from December to March.
What Is the Best Time for Safari in Tanzania?
Tanzania’s Dry Season (June-October)
Tanzania’s dry season, from late June to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing. Animals gather around limited water sources, making them easier to spot. This period also coincides with the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti. Be prepared for higher prices and more tourists during this peak season.
- ideal for safaris,
- easier wildlife sightings,
- wildebeest migration.
Tanzania’s Green Season (November-May)
The green season, from November to May, offers lush landscapes and lower travel costs. While rain can sometimes interfere with travel plans, the vibrant scenery and fewer crowds make it an attractive alternative.
- vibrant landscapes,
- budget-friendly travel,
- potential for rain.
Understanding Tanzania’s Climate and Seasons
Tanzania’s tropical climate significantly influences both wildlife behavior and the safari experience. The long rains fall from April to May, and shorter rains from November to December. The dry season, from June to October, provides the best wildlife viewing opportunities. During this time, animals congregate at scarce water sources, making them easier to spot. In contrast, during the wet season (November to December and April to May), the abundant vegetation allows animals to spread out, making them harder to find. Additionally, some lodges may close due to impassable roads. Therefore, careful planning is essential for your Tanzanian safari.
Dry Season (June to October)
Prime wildlife viewing, animals gather at water sources, easier spotting.
Wet Season (November to December & April to May)
Animals disperse due to abundant vegetation, more challenging to locate wildlife, some lodges may be closed.
The Impact of Rainy Seasons on Safari Plans
Rainy Season (March to Early May)
Tanzania’s rainy season presents unique challenges for safari-goers. Heavy downpours create muddy, impassable roads, restricting access to certain areas. Some remote southern lodges may temporarily close, and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro becomes more hazardous. Lower travel rates are common during this period. Wildlife tends to disperse with the abundant water, potentially impacting sightings.
Green Season (November to March)
The green season offers a contrasting experience. While hotter weather and afternoon rains can affect wildlife viewing, the landscapes transform into lush, vibrant scenes, offering incredible photographic opportunities.
The best travel time to Tanzania depends on your priorities.
April to May: Heavy Rainfall and Its Effects
Tanzania’s abundant April and May rains can pose challenges for safari-goers. Wildlife sightings become trickier, and travel itineraries may be disrupted. However, this wetter season also presents unique benefits. The landscape transforms into vibrant greenery. Lower tourist numbers allow for a more secluded and personalized safari adventure. Consider these aspects of traveling during the rainy season:
Challenges
- Wildlife sightings can be more difficult, as animals disperse due to the abundant resources.
- Travel itineraries might be disrupted due to unpredictable weather conditions and road closures.
Benefits
- The landscape thrives with vibrant greenery, creating breathtaking scenery.
- Fewer tourists mean a more secluded and personalized safari experience.
- Lower prices are often available during the off-season, making it a more budget-friendly option.
November to December: Short Rains and Safari Considerations
Tanzania’s short rains fall from November to December, lighter than the downpours of April and May. Despite this, some safari areas remain open, though wildlife sightings may be less frequent. Animals disperse with the increased water availability, meaning fewer congregate around watering holes. The lush vegetation also provides them with excellent camouflage.
Exploring the Dry Season: June to October
Tanzania’s dry season, from June to October, is the best time to see wildlife. Animals congregate around scarce water sources, making them easy to spot. This time also coincides with the wildebeest migration. The weather is excellent, with little rain, clear skies, and comfortable temperatures between 19°C and 29°C (66°F to 84°F). The dry climate also minimizes mosquitoes.
Why June to October Is Ideal for Safaris
Tanzania’s dry season, spanning from June to October, provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. During this period, animals gather around scarce water sources, making them easier to observe against the arid landscape. This improved visibility is advantageous for safari enthusiasts, especially as it coincides with the peak of the Great Migration. Witness this extraordinary spectacle in the Serengeti.
June to August: Cooler Weather and Wildlife Density
Winter (June to August) offers cooler temperatures, ideal for game drives. Wildlife congregate at watering holes, making them easy to spot. The dry terrain also simplifies park navigation. This makes winter an excellent time to visit.
September to October: Peak Wildlife Watching
Tanzania offers prime wildlife viewing in September and October. During these months, animals gather around scarce water sources, making them easier to spot against the dry landscape.
This period offers the chance to witness diverse wildlife, from active predators to large herds. However, be prepared for the intense dry season heat.
Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Tanzania’s dry season, spanning June to October, offers prime wildlife viewing opportunities. Animals congregate around limited water sources, making them easier to spot. The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are exceptional locations for wildlife viewing during this period. Tarangire National Park is another excellent choice. Since this is peak tourist season, booking your trip well in advance is highly recommended.
Best Time to Visit Specific Parks and Regions
Tanzania’s parks offer incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. The ideal visiting time depends on your interests.
Witness the Great Migration
To witness the Great Migration’s dramatic river crossings in the Serengeti, plan your trip between June and October.
Experience the calving season
Experience the calving season’s abundance in Ndutu from December to March.
Dry Season (June to October)
The dry season provides optimal wildlife viewing as animals congregate around limited water sources, making them easier to spot. The northern circuit parks—Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire—are accessible year-round.
Green Season (November to May)
The green season presents unique attractions. Tarangire and Ruaha become havens for birdwatchers, with landscapes flourishing in vibrant greenery. Southern circuit parks, including Ruaha, Selous, and Mikumi, are best explored during the dry season.
Serengeti and the Great Migration
Witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration in Serengeti National Park. The dry season, spanning from June to October, offers optimal wildlife viewing opportunities as animals gather around limited water sources. Observe vast herds of wildebeest and zebras traversing the landscape, an unforgettable spectacle.
Ndutu and the Calving Season
Ndutu’s famed calving season, spanning from late January to March, witnesses the birth of thousands of wildebeest. This abundance attracts predators such as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, creating dramatic wildlife viewing opportunities and incredible predator-prey interactions.
Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti
Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Serengeti wildebeest migration, a perpetual cyclical journey. From June to October, during the dry season, the herds concentrate in the northern Serengeti, offering exceptional viewing opportunities as they gather near scarce water sources and brave dramatic river crossings. Between December and March, the wildebeest journey south to the Ndutu region for calving season. From April to June, they gather in the central Serengeti for the rut, before resuming their northward migration, a breathtaking display of nature’s rhythmic cycle.
