If you’re dreaming of an unforgettable safari in Tanzania, timing is everything. With its breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and famous parks, Tanzania offers a safari experience like no other. At Shiri Adventures, we specialize in creating tailor-made safaris to ensure you experience the very best of this spectacular country, no matter when you visit.
Tanzania’s location near the equator gives it a tropical climate with two main seasons: dry and wet. Understanding these seasons can help you decide the best time to embark on your Tanzania safari with Shiri Adventures.
Dry Season: June to October
Pros:
✓ Fewer mosquitoes and clear game-viewing opportunities.
✓ Easy access to all parks with no muddy trails.
Cons:
✖ Parks are busier with more tourists.
✖ Accommodation rates are higher due to peak season.
Wet Season: November to May
Highlights:
Pros:
✓ Stunning photographic opportunities.
✓ Discounted rates at many lodges and camps.
✓ Excellent bird-watching opportunities with migratory species.
Cons:
✖ Some park roads may be muddy or inaccessible.
✖ Rainfall may disrupt your plans, though it rarely lasts all day.
The early months of the year, particularly February, mark the hottest season in Tanzania. This dry season is a favorite for safari enthusiasts, though parks can feel busier, especially around the New Year.
During this time, animals gather at rivers and lakes as smaller water sources dry up. Tarangire National Park becomes a prime destination, attracting zebras and gazelles to the Tarangire River. Predators like lions and leopards follow, offering incredible opportunities to witness diverse wildlife in action
Mid-March through May marks Tanzania’s “long rainy season,” characterized by cool mornings and nights with regular rainfall. The afternoons often clear up with sunny skies, and evenings are calm and tranquil.
The rains transform the landscape into a lush, green paradise, with animals remaining active thanks to abundant water sources. While some rough park roads may become impassable due to flooding or mud, main roads, particularly in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and other parks with paved sections, remain accessible.
This season sees a significant drop in tourist numbers, making it ideal for those seeking a quieter, more intimate safari experience. Many accommodations offer discounts during this low season, adding to its appeal. Guests often describe their rainy season safaris as secluded and unique, with the vibrant wildlife in damp, green forests offering a magical and exclusive adventure.
This time of year is known as Tanzania’s “cold” season. While locals bundle up in winter coats and hats, visitors from other climates often find the weather mild and refreshing. Mornings can be chilly, so bringing a jacket is recommended, but afternoons are typically sunny and pleasant, with dry conditions prevailing.
This season is also a popular time for travel, attracting many visitors to Tanzania’s national parks.
If you prefer cooler weather, this is the perfect time to explore Tanzania during its dry season. It’s also a prime opportunity to witness the Great Migration in Serengeti National Park.
The short rains typically occur between October and December, with temperatures warming as the year ends. October brings the stunning bloom of jacaranda trees across East Africa, their crowns adorned with vibrant purple flowers. By December, Flame Trees burst into fiery red blossoms, adding a festive touch just before Christmas.
Christmas is a popular time for tourists in Tanzania, often coinciding with the end of the short rains by mid-December. Many visitors celebrate the season with special activities, such as summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. Hotels and lodges often mark the occasion with festive holiday meals.
December’s weather is generally considered ideal, though parks and accommodations may feel busier than at other times of the year.
What causes the animals to continue to move around?
The movement of animals during the Great Migration is driven by their basic survival instincts. Wildebeests, gazelles, impalas, elands, and zebras constantly seek access to fresh water and nutritious grass. As the seasons change from dry to wet, the animals move in search of better food sources and hydration. This constant movement is accompanied by their predators—lions, cheetahs, and leopards—who follow the herds, relying on them for sustenance.
Throughout the year, different portions of the migration are visible, offering unique experiences for visitors. In February, the calving season takes place, with thousands of baby wildebeests being born each day. Witnessing newborns take their first steps and run shortly after birth is a miraculous sight.
From March to April, the herds gather in the Seronera area of the Serengeti, creating an unforgettable scene of vast numbers of animals grazing peacefully in the scenic landscape, offering incredible photo opportunities.
By May, the herds begin their northward movement, forming impressive columns of animals. They often congregate at the Western Corridor to find a safe crossing point over the Grumeti River. This stage of the migration offers a chance to see the animals moving in massive, synchronized groups—an awe-inspiring natural spectacle.
From July to early September, the migration reaches its peak as the animals face the dangerous Mara River crossing. The herds rush through the perilous waters in large numbers, hoping to reach the other side. This dramatic moment, often captured by National Geographic, is an exhilarating display of nature’s power, best experienced in person, as the energy and tension of the crossing are truly felt live.
Experiencing the Great Migration leaves you with a profound appreciation for Africa’s wildlife and the untamed beauty of nature, untouched by human interference. It’s awe-inspiring to think that this incredible annual cycle has likely been occurring for millennia, and we are still privileged to witness it today.
Two significant river crossings mark key moments in this migration: the Grumeti River and the Mara River, each symbolizing the herds’ direction of travel. The Grumeti River crossing typically occurs in May and June as the animals move into Kenya. Later, the Mara River crossing takes place in July and August as the herds return from Kenya to Tanzania.
The Great Migration in Serengeti National Park is an ongoing marvel, offering something remarkable to see nearly year-round. If witnessing this extraordinary natural phenomenon is on your bucket list, now is the perfect time to turn that dream into reality!
Any time of year is perfect for an unforgettable African safari in Tanzania—it all comes down to your personal preferences.
Looking for a quiet, intimate safari experience when Tanzania’s parks are less crowded and accommodations feel exclusive? Plan your trip during the wet season.
Want to enjoy nature’s vibrant colors with pleasant weather? October and November are ideal months, as trees come alive with stunning blooms.
Dreaming of witnessing a thrilling river crossing during the Serengeti’s Great Migration in the dry season? Choose to visit in July or August for this awe-inspiring spectacle
United Republic of Tanzania, Kilimanjaro Region | NSSF Building | Aga Khan Rd – 4th Floor
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