Know Before You Go: Tanzania Safaris

Tanzania offers excellent wildlife viewing throughout the year, with different seasons offering distinct advantages. Choosing when to go on safari in Tanzania depends on what animals you want to see, how you feel about rain or heat, and whether you prefer fewer crowds or peak migration action.

Because much of the safari circuit lies on elevated plains and volcanic highlands, temperatures are generally mild and comfortable, despite Tanzania’s equatorial location.

Tanzania Weather and Seasons: What to Expect on Safari

Tanzania’s climate is shaped by two rainy seasons and the drier periods in between. These patterns influence everything from wildlife behavior to road access. Rain typically falls in brief, intense bursts—not all-day storms—but can still affect photography, comfort and animal movement.

Understanding these seasonal shifts can help you plan the best time to visit for game viewing, predator sightings or migration photography.

Tanzania’s Two Rainy Seasons Explained

Long rains (March–May) 
This is the primary wet season in Tanzania. Afternoon downpours turn the plains green and verdant, but some remote roads become muddy or impassable. Many migratory animals, especially wildebeest, use this time to give birth in the southern Serengeti, drawing in predators and offering dramatic behavior for travelers who don’t mind occasional rain.

Short rains (November–early December) 
These lighter, earlier rains bring fresh growth without the extended wet conditions of the long rains. The landscape becomes lusher and more scenic, and this shoulder season means fewer tourists and excellent predator activity in places like the Central Serengeti.

Drier Periods and What They Mean on Safari

June–October 
This is the main dry season—and the most popular time for Tanzania safaris. Skies are clear, temperatures are mild and wildlife congregates near permanent water sources, making animals easier to find. Daytime highs usually range from the mid-70s to low 80s°F, with early mornings and evenings often in the 50s to low 60s°F. This is also prime time for viewing the Great Migration in the Northern Serengeti, especially during river crossings.

January–February 
The dry window between the rains is ideal for travel across the Serengeti. It’s calving season in the Southern Serengeti, which means predator encounters are intense and dramatic. Conditions are generally sunny and warm, with daytime highs typically in the mid-80s to low 90s°F and cooler mornings in the 60s°F, with green scenery and great visibility.

What Is the Dry Season Like on Safari in Tanzania?

The dry season in Tanzania, typically from June through October, is widely considered the most reliable period for safari travel due to concentrated wildlife and favorable conditions. During these months, rainfall is minimal across much of the country, shaping both animal behavior and travel logistics.

Key characteristics of Tanzania’s dry season include:

• Concentrated wildlife viewing: Animals gather near rivers and permanent water sources, increasing sightings of big cats, elephants and other iconic species.

• Improved travel conditions: Roads are generally in better condition, and clear skies support photography and scenic viewing.

• Comfortable temperatures: Days are warm, with cooler nights, particularly in higher-elevation regions such as the Ngorongoro Highlands.

• Higher visitor levels in peak areas: Popular destinations like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro tend to see increased crowds, especially in July and August.

For travelers hoping to experience dramatic predator-prey interactions or maximize the likelihood of seeing the Great Migration, the dry season is often the best time to visit Tanzania on safari.

What Is the Green Season Like on Safari in Tanzania?

Tanzania’s green season, typically from November through March, is characterized by lush landscapes, fewer visitors and wildlife events tied to calving and renewal. Seasonal rains transform the environment, creating a very different safari experience from the dry months.

Key characteristics of Tanzania’s green season include:

• Lush, green scenery: Grasslands turn vibrant, flowers bloom and dramatic cloud formations enhance the landscape.

• Calving season and predator activity: Many species give birth during this period, including wildebeest calving in January and February, which attracts increased predator behavior.

• Fewer travelers: Visitor numbers are generally lower, resulting in a quieter and more private safari atmosphere.

• Excellent photography conditions: Softer light, green backdrops and cloud-filtered skies are ideal for photography.

• Seasonal access considerations: Heavy rains can affect some roads, though safari routes are typically adjusted to maintain access and comfort.

For travelers drawn to verdant landscapes, newborn wildlife and a slower-paced safari experience, Tanzania’s green season offers a rewarding and visually rich time to visit.

When Is the Best Time to See the Great Migration in Tanzania?

There is no single “best” time to see the Great Migration in Tanzania, as the experience varies by season and location within the Serengeti. The migration is a continuous, year-round movement driven by rainfall and grazing conditions, with different highlights occurring throughout the year.

The best time to visit depends on which phase of the migration travelers want to experience:

• January–March: Southern Serengeti (calving season) 
  Large herds gather on the short-grass plains, where hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born. This period features intense predator activity and excellent wildlife viewing.

• May–June: Central Serengeti (northward movement) 
  The herds begin moving north through the Central Serengeti, creating widespread concentrations of wildlife and dynamic movement across the plains.

• July–October: Northern Serengeti (river crossings) 
  Migration herds reach the Northern Serengeti, where dramatic river crossings—often along the Mara River—may occur as animals continue their search for grazing.

Each phase offers a distinct safari experience, and Tanzania safari itineraries are typically planned to place travelers in the regions where migration activity is most concentrated during their travel window.