Tanzania Weather by Month for a Safari
Northern Tanzania, where the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire are, sits just south of the equator. It doesn’t have a summer and winter like Europe. Instead the year is shaped by two rainy seasons and two drier ones. Here’s what to expect, month by month.
Arusha and most of the parks are high up, so it’s rarely as hot as people expect. The Ngorongoro Crater rim, at over 2,000 m, is cold at night in every month.
January and February
Warm, often sunny days between the two rainy seasons, with the odd shower. Green landscapes and the calving season in the southern Serengeti. A favourite time of ours.
March
The long rains usually begin. Afternoons can be stormy, but mornings are often clear.
April
Usually the wettest month. Some roads get muddy and a few camps close. If you don’t mind the rain, the parks are lush and very quiet, and prices are at their lowest.
May
The rains ease off during the month. Everything is green, and the herds are on the move in the central and western Serengeti.
June
The dry season begins. Clear skies, cooler mornings and evenings. Wildlife starts to gather near water.
July and August
Dry, sunny days and the coolest mornings of the year. Bring a warm layer for the early game drives. Peak season for the Mara River crossings in the north.
September and October
Dry and warming up. The grass is short, the animals are easy to find, and Tarangire is at its best.
November
The short rains arrive, usually as showers rather than all-day rain. The parks turn green again within days.
December
Showers continue, mixed with plenty of sunshine. A good-value month to travel, before the busy holiday dates.
How the weather changes your safari
Rain isn’t a reason to stay at home. The safari vehicles are built for muddy tracks, and the animals don’t go anywhere. What changes is how spread out they are, how busy the parks are, and the price. Read our best time to visit Tanzania and Great Migration guide to choose your month, and pack for the season with our packing list.
