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Best Time to Visit Tanzania (Month by Month)

Tanzania Safaris Tanzania
  1. January: Good
  2. February: Good
  3. March: Fair
  4. April: Fair
  5. May: Fair
  6. June: Excellent
  7. July: Excellent
  8. August: Excellent
  9. September: Excellent
  10. October: Excellent
  11. November: Good
  12. December: Good
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the Dry season, from June to October, when wildlife viewing is generally at its best. This is also the best time to see the wildebeest migration in Serengeti National Park. The most reliable time to see the wildebeest calving is January to February. The Southern and Western circuit parks are best visited during the Dry season (June to October), unlike the more popular Northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round.


5,278 Tanzania Safaris
calendar Best Time
June to October (All parks), January to February (Serengeti for the wildebeest calving)
clock High Season
July to March (Northern circuit parks; all get crowded), June to October (Southern and Western circuit parks; only Nyerere gets crowded)
percentage Low Season
April and May (Many lodges are closed in the Southern and Western circuit parks)
sun Best Weather
June to October (Little to no rainfall)
raincloud Worst Weather
March to May (Peak of the Wet season)

June to October Dry Season

  • The wildebeest migration is in Serengeti
  • August and September are the best months to see the Mara River wildebeest crossings in Northern Serengeti
  • Animals are easier to spot since they gather around waterholes and rivers
  • There are fewer mosquitoes because there is little to no rain
  • Skies are clear and most days are sunny
  • Mornings and nights get cold; bring warm clothing
  • It is high season and some areas get crowded

November to May Wet Season

  • January to February is the wildebeest calving in Southern Serengeti and is an excellent time to see predator action
  • The scenery is green and beautiful
  • April and May are low season, meaning lower rates and less-crowded parks
  • Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you'll still see plenty, especially in the Northern circuit parks
  • Migratory birds are present from November to April and bird watching is at its best
  • Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom interfere with activities
  • March to May is the peak of the Wet season
  • Wildlife viewing in Tarangire, Katavi, Nyerere (Selous) and Ruaha National Parks is better during the Dry season

Wildlife Photos

Lioness in yellow grass Bat-eared fox +23 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

The Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer good wildlife viewing throughout the year. June to October are the best months for seeing the migration, and January to February is the best time for the wildebeest calving. The dry months offer good wildlife viewing throughout Tanzania. Tarangire and the Southern and Western circuit parks (including Katavi, Nyerere and Ruaha) are best visited in the Dry season, from June to October.

  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Fair
  4. Poor
  1. Gombe National Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Fair
    4. April: Poor
    5. May: Fair
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Fair
  2. Katavi National Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Poor
    4. April: Poor
    5. May: Poor
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Fair
    12. December: Fair
  3. Lake Manyara National Park
    1. January: Good
    2. February: Good
    3. March: Fair
    4. April: Fair
    5. May: Good
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  4. Ngorongoro Crater
    1. January: Excellent
    2. February: Excellent
    3. March: Good
    4. April: Good
    5. May: Excellent
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Excellent
    12. December: Excellent
  5. Nyerere National Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Poor
    4. April: Poor
    5. May: Fair
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  6. Ruaha National Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Poor
    4. April: Poor
    5. May: Fair
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  7. Serengeti National Park
    1. January: Excellent
    2. February: Excellent
    3. March: Fair
    4. April: Fair
    5. May: Fair
    6. June: Excellent
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Good
    12. December: Good
  8. Tarangire National Park
    1. January: Fair
    2. February: Fair
    3. March: Fair
    4. April: Fair
    5. May: Fair
    6. June: Good
    7. July: Excellent
    8. August: Excellent
    9. September: Excellent
    10. October: Excellent
    11. November: Excellent
    12. December: Good

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5,278 Tanzania Safaris