BEST TIME TO VISIT TANZANIA
For Safari: Month-by-Month Guide
Tanzania is a land of contrasts: endless plains dotted with wildlife, remote wildernesses, lush forests, and sparkling beaches. Every corner of this country offers a unique experience, but the right timing might make your trip even better.Â
The best time for your safari in Tanzania depends on your priorities: whether you want to witness the Great Migration, enjoy intimate wildlife encounters, or explore quieter, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
From the drama of the Great Migration in the Serengeti to the lush green landscapes of the wet season, every month offers something unique. Dry season safaris (June – October and mid-December – mid-March) bring classic wildlife viewing, while the green season (November – mid-December) rewards travelers with fewer crowds, lower prices, and spectacular scenery.
In this guide, we break down the best time to visit Tanzania for safari, month by month, covering the Northern, Southern, and Western circuits. By the end, you’ll know not only when to go but also what kind of wildlife, landscapes, and experiences you can expect throughout the year.
 At Mawenzi Adventures, we help you decide when to go on safari in Tanzania and plan your trip based on your priorities, whether that’s seeing the migration, avoiding the crowds, or balancing adventure and relaxation. And of course, we can also help you figure out the best itinerary if your travel dates are fixed.
tanzania safari seasons at a glance
| SEASON | MONTHS | WHAT TO EXPECT |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season (high season) | June - October & mid-December - mid-March | Best overall game viewing, busiest time of the year. Pleasant weather from June to October, hot and dry from mid-December to mid-March. |
| Short rains (green season) | November - mid-December | Beautiful landscapes, fewer visitors. Warm weather with occasional rains. |
| Long rains (low season) | mid-March - May | Lush scenery, quiet parks, best value for money. |
NORTHERN CIRCUIT: SERENGETI, NGORONGORO, LAKE MANYARA, ARUSHA NP, LAKE NATRON & MKOMAZI
Mid-December – mid-March: Calving Season in Ndutu
The start of the year brings new life to the southern Serengeti and Ndutu, located inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Over 500 000 wildebeest calves are born within weeks, attracting predators such as lions, cheetahs and hyenas and creating dramatic wildlife interactions. The green landscapes are lush from the short rains, offering striking photo opportunities.
- Wildlife focus: over 500 000 wildebeest calves are born, also causing high predator activity.
- Weather: dry and hot.
- Landscapes: lush green landscapes after the short rain season of November – mid-December.
- Where to go:Â southern Serengeti and Ndutu to see the calving season. This is also a great time for all the other parks.
- Crowds: reasonable, except during the Christmas holidays.
- Cost: this season is considered high season in most of the lodges. Holiday supplements might apply.
Mid-March – May: Long Rains & Low Season
This is the long rainy season. Expect some showers, especially in April and May, making landscapes incredibly green and photogenic. Wildlife is more dispersed, but the quieter parks allow for immersive experiences and peaceful drives. Roads may be slippery, so a knowledgeable guide makes all the difference. While some lodges close, most remain open with discounted rates.Â
- Wildlife focus: herds start moving northwest, birds are abundant.
- Weather: rain showers bring vibrant landscapes, roads can be challenging, some activities like walking safaris might get cancelled.
- Landscapes: lush and green.
- Where to go:Â most northern parks remain accessible but Lake Natron and Lake Manyara might get a bit challenging to reach.
- Crowds: very low.
- Cost: lowest of the year, most lodges consider this low season.
June - July: Dry Season & Western Serengeti Crossings
By June, the dry season has arrived. Water becomes scarce, concentrating animals near rivers. These are some of the best Tanzania wildlife viewing months, since wildlife is easier to spot. The Grumeti River crossings offer thrilling predator-prey moments as lions and crocodiles take advantage of these gatherings. Days are sunny and crisp while nights are cool.
- Wildlife focus: Grumeti River crossings in western Serengeti, big cats more visible in dry plains.
- Weather: dry season begins, cooler mornings, sunny days.
- Landscapes: get dryer and dyer.
- Where to go:Â this is the perfect time for all northern parks.
- Crowds: high, especially once school holidays have started.
- Cost: prices are amongst the highest of the year, this is high season.
August - October: Peak Safari Season & Mara River Crossings in Northern Serengeti
This is the most famous period to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti. Wildebeest and zebras reach the Mara River, navigating dramatic crossings watched by crocodiles and lions. The dry weather ensures excellent game drives and photography.
- Wildlife focus: Northern Serengeti Mara River crossings, spectacular photo opportunities.
- Weather: dry and sunny, perfect for overland travel.
- Landscapes: overall, landscapes are dry.
- Where to go:Â this is the perfect time for all northern parks.
- Crowds:Â high, especially during school holidays.
- Cost: prices are amongst the highest of the year, this is high season.
HOW TO ESCAPE THE CROWDS, EVEN DURING HIGH & PEAK SEASON
High season and peak season, especially July, August and the Christmas Holidays, can get very busy in some of the parks. Crowds get especially high in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater, which might sometimes feel quite overwhelming and inauthentic.Â
Of course these destinations are absolute highlights, so we wouldn’t advise you to skip them. Instead, we think it’s a good idea to add other, quieter destinations to create a more balanced adventure.
Start with some excursions around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro Area. We have several where you’ll likely only see a few other tourists.
- Include quieter parks like Tarangire or Lake Natron. At off-the-beaten-path Lake Natron, we visit a part of the lake where, in 6 years, we’ve never seen a single other tourist.
- Take your time and take advantage of the quieter moments. E.g. if you sleep inside the Serengeti and wake up early, many other tourists might still be sleeping and those that are coming that day won’t have arrived yet.Â
November - mid-December: Short Rains & Green Season
The short rains begin, and herds start moving south again. Green landscapes return, attracting birdlife and rejuvenating the plains. Fewer tourists make this a peaceful time to explore the parks and take more intimate wildlife photographs.
- Wildlife focus: migration moving south, predators less predictable.
- Weather: short rains, which can be quite refreshing and are usually not very disturbing.
- Landscapes: turning green, amazing for photography in January – March when skies are clear but light is soft.
- Where to go:Â most northern parks remain fully accessible.Â
- Crowds: low, ideal for a quieter, off-season safari in Tanzania.
- Cost: low(er), some lodges use the same prices as during low season, others use ‘green season’ prices, that are in between low and high season prices.
EASTERN & SOUTHERN CIRCUIT: NYERERE (SELOUS), RUAHA, MIKUMI, UDZUNGWA & SAADANI
June – October: Dry Season
Animals concentrate around rivers, making game viewing excellent. Dry weather ensures reliable access to remote areas, including walking safaris and river-based explorations.
- Wildlife focus: best game viewing of the year — elephants, lions, leopards, and wild dogs concentrate around water sources.
- Weather: dry season, clear skies and high temperatures.
- Landscapes: can be dry because of the lack of rain.
- Where to go:Â this is a great time for all the southern parks.
- Crowds: highest of the year but considerably lower than in the northern parks. Only Mikumi often gets busy due to day visitors from Zanzibar.Â
- Cost: this season is considered high season in most of the lodges.Â
November – February: Short Rains
Elephants, lions, and buffalo are active, and the lush scenery provides a vibrant backdrop for game drives. Birds are abundant after the short rains.Â
- Wildlife focus: thick vegetation, but rewarding sightings for the patient traveler. Good time to see wild dogs in Nyerere National Park and elephant herds in Ruaha.Â
- Weather: short rains, green landscapes but mostly sunny days.
- Landscapes: lush and green, especially in November and December, then slightly dryer.
- Where to go:Â all the parks are great during this season.
- Crowds: low, slightly higher during the Christmas holidays.
- Cost: lower, Holiday supplements might apply.
March – May: Long Rains
The wet season transforms the landscape, with rivers and waterfalls flowing abundantly. Some remote roads may be difficult, but for adventurous travelers, it’s a time of serenity and lush beauty.
- Wildlife focus: thick vegetation, but rewarding sightings for the patient traveler.
- Weather: long rains, heavy downpours and some muddy roads.
- Landscapes: very green, roads might get muddy and some even inaccessible.
- Where to go:Â avoid Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous) as they might be too inaccessible. Keep in mind that also in other parks, some lodges close during these months. Availability of flights is also limited in this period.
- Crowds: low.
- Cost: lowest of the year.
WESTERN CIRCUIT: GOMBE, MAHALE, KATAVI & RUBONDO
For travelers craving true wilderness, the Western parks are unparalleled. Katavi offers dramatic encounters with large herds of buffalo and hippos, while Mahale, Gombe and Rubondo provide incredible opportunities to see chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
Best months: July – October (dry season) for easier access and wildlife sightings.
Avoid: March – May as the parks might be very difficult to access and wildlife viewing might be a challenge. The only lodge in Gombe National Park is closed from March to May.Â
Chimpanzee viewing: possible most of the year if you plan enough days. We recommend a minimum of 2 nights. Keep in mind that in Mahale, which is a larger park than Gombe, the chimpanzees are usually more active and found on the lower, more accessible slopes from July to October. So while viewings are still possible in the other seasons, you might have to hike considerably further.Â
Extra tips: These parks are remote and challenging; expect minimal infrastructure but unforgettable experiences.
PLANNING YOUR SAFARI AROUND THE SEASONS
When planning your trip, consider these general guidelines:
- Northern Circuit: safaris are possible here all year long, with June to October and mid-December to mid-March being the best time to visit.
- These months offer the best overall game viewing and weather.
- The dry season (June – October) brings large wildlife concentrations around waterholes, clear skies, and easy travel conditions.
- The calving season (January–March) in Ndutu and the river crossing season (June – October) in the Serengeti are absolute highlights.
- Travel tip: November to mid-December is the short rainy season, a beautiful and quieter time with green landscapes and lower prices. The rains are usually not disturbing and you’ll find much less crowds.
- Southern Circuit: June to October and mid-December to mid-March are the best time to visit.
- Alternative option: November to February brings short rains and greener scenery — ideal for photographers and travelers seeking solitude.
- Some parks become difficult to access during rain season (March – May) and several lodges close. Certain airlines don’t operate in this season.
- Western Parks: July–October is the best time to travel here.
- During the dry season, roads are passable and wildlife sightings are superb — especially large herds of buffalo and hippos in Katavi, and chimpanzees in Mahale and Gombe.
- Avoid: March to May, when rains make access difficult and some camps close.
- Travel tip: Plan at least two nights for chimpanzee trekking to increase your chances of sightings during any season.
- Green season (November – mid-December): If you don’t mind some rain, the green season offers incredible advantages: lower prices, lush landscapes, and far fewer tourists. Birdlife is abundant, and photography conditions are superb. While a few remote lodges close, most national parks remain open and thriving.
Looking to plan your ideal safari? Browse our sample itineraries or get in touch to start creating your unforgettable Tanzania adventure!
FAQ: WHEN TO GO ON SAFARI IN TANZANIA
The best month for a safari in Tanzania depends on what you want to see. June to October is perfect for classic game viewing but also a busier time. January to March is ideal if you want to witness the Great Migration calving season in Ndutu, but if you want to see the Mara river crossings, August to October is a better choice. If you prefer fewer crowds and lush green landscapes, the November to May green season offers excellent value and great photographic opportunities.
The Great Migration moves throughout the Serengeti year-round. The river crossings happen between June and October, while the calving season takes place in January and February in the Ndutu area. Your ideal travel dates depend on which part of this natural spectacle you want to experience.
Not at all! The rainy season (mid-March to May) offers a very different but equally beautiful experience. Parks are quiet, landscapes are lush, and prices drop significantly. It’s ideal for photographers or travelers looking for solitude, as long as you don’t mind some rain and occasional road challenges. There’s a few parks that we don’t recommend during this period, but many others are accessible and beautiful.
The Serengeti is spectacular all year. June to October is best for wildlife viewing and river crossings, while January to March offers the calving season with thousands of newborn wildebeest. Even during the rainy months, game drives remain rewarding thanks to the abundance of birdlife and lush scenery.
The dry season (June–October) is best for the southern circuit, when animals gather around water sources and road access is easiest. The short rainy season (November–February) brings lush scenery and fewer visitors — a great option for those seeking a more private experience. Avoid March–May, when heavy rains can make remote lodges hard to reach, some lodges might be closed and flights suspended.
Chimpanzee trekking is possible year-round, but the dry season from July to October is best in Mahale Mountains National Park. During these months, chimpanzees are usually found on the lower slopes, making them easier to reach. Gombe National Park is accessible most of the year, but the only lodge inside the park closes from March to May.
Zanzibar is a fantastic year-round destination. The dry months (June–October and mid-December–February) are perfect for beach holidays. If you prefer quieter beaches and don’t mind brief showers, November and April–May offer great deals and lush tropical scenery.
