The short answer
- Best overall
- June to October
- Calving season
- January to February
- Mara River crossings
- July to October
- Wettest
- April and May
Tanzania is really three trips, and each has its own best months. Safaris in the north run all year, but are easiest in the dry season from June to October. Kilimanjaro is best climbed in the dry months either side of the rains. Zanzibar is hot all year but wet in April and May.
The Great Migration adds a twist that Kenya doesn't have: the herds are somewhere in Tanzania for about ten months of the year, so almost any month can be a migration month if you stay in the right part of the Serengeti.
Choose your month
Pick a month to see how the safari parks, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the southern parks usually look.
Choose your month
January
Calving season on the southern Serengeti plains, dry spells and great climbing on Kilimanjaro.
- Serengeti (best)plus the Great Migration all year
- Ngorongoro and Tarangire (best)the rest of the northern circuit
- Kilimanjaro (best)climbing conditions
- Zanzibar (best)beaches and Stone Town
- Southern parks (mixed)Nyerere and Ruaha
Every month at a glance
Swipe sideways to see all 12 months →
| Region | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serengetiplus the Great Migration | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Ngorongoro and Tarangirenorthern circuit | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Mixed | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Kilimanjaroclimbing | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
| Zanzibarbeaches | Best | Best | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Best |
| Southern parksNyerere, Ruaha | Mixed | Mixed | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Wet or difficult | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Mixed | Mixed |
Where are the wildebeest in your month?
The herds move clockwise through the Serengeti, so the best area to stay changes each month. See our full Great Migration guide.
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
August
- Base in the Serengeti
- Kogatende, north
- River crossings
- Peak season
Peak migration in the Masai Mara, with river crossings most days somewhere along the Mara River.
Where the herds are: Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara
Tanzania's seasons explained
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January to February | Short dry season | Calving on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu. Hot, green and good for Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. |
| March | Start of the long rains | Often dry early in the month, then wetter. Calving herds still in the south. |
| April to May | Long rains | Heavy rain, muddy tracks and many camps closed, especially in the south and on Zanzibar. Lowest prices and empty parks. |
| June to October | Long dry season | Peak season everywhere. The herds move through the Western Corridor in June and the north from July. Cool nights. |
| November to December | Short rains | Afternoon showers and green landscapes, good value until the Christmas peak. |
Tip: For the migration without peak crowds, look at the calving season in late January and February, or June in the Western Corridor.
Best months for each part of your trip
| Trip | Best | Good | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern safari | June to October, January to February | March, November, December | April and May (but cheap) |
| Great Migration | Calving: January to February. Crossings: July to October | June (Western Corridor) | April and May |
| Climbing Kilimanjaro | January to early March, June to October | December | April, May and November |
| Zanzibar | June to October, December to February | March, November | April and May |
| Southern parks | June to October | January, February, November, December | March to May, when many camps close |
Weather by region
Average highs, lows and rainfall. The safari parks are high and mild; the Ngorongoro rim is cold at night; Zanzibar is hot and humid.
Average daily high / low and monthly rainfall
| Month | Arushaabout 1,400 m, Moshi is warmer | SerengetiSeronera, about 1,500 m | Ngorongoro rimabout 2,300 m, cold at night | ZanzibarStone Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28° / 13°60 mm | 28° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 9°80 mm | 32° / 24°70 mm |
| Feb | 28° / 13°75 mm | 28° / 15°90 mm | 21° / 9°85 mm | 32° / 24°60 mm |
| Mar | 27° / 14°145 mm | 28° / 15°140 mm | 20° / 10°140 mm | 32° / 24°150 mm |
| Apr | 25° / 15°320 mm | 27° / 15°170 mm | 19° / 10°210 mm | 30° / 24°350 mm |
| May | 23° / 14°170 mm | 26° / 14°90 mm | 18° / 9°110 mm | 29° / 23°250 mm |
| Jun | 22° / 12°25 mm | 26° / 13°20 mm | 17° / 7°25 mm | 28° / 22°55 mm |
| Jul | 21° / 11°10 mm | 26° / 12°10 mm | 16° / 6°15 mm | 28° / 21°45 mm |
| Aug | 22° / 11°10 mm | 27° / 13°15 mm | 17° / 6°15 mm | 28° / 21°40 mm |
| Sep | 24° / 11°15 mm | 28° / 13°25 mm | 19° / 7°20 mm | 29° / 21°50 mm |
| Oct | 26° / 12°30 mm | 29° / 14°45 mm | 20° / 8°45 mm | 30° / 22°90 mm |
| Nov | 26° / 13°110 mm | 28° / 15°110 mm | 20° / 9°110 mm | 31° / 23°200 mm |
| Dec | 27° / 13°90 mm | 27° / 15°110 mm | 20° / 9°100 mm | 32° / 24°140 mm |
Rounded long term averages. Blue shading marks the wetter months. Individual years can be hotter, colder or wetter.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Tanzania?
For most travellers, July to September: dry safaris, river crossings in the northern Serengeti, good climbing and sunny Zanzibar. February is the best month for calving season.
When is the rainy season in Tanzania?
The long rains fall from about mid March to May, wettest in April. The short rains bring showers in November and early December.
When is the best time to see the Great Migration in Tanzania?
January and February for calving around Ndutu, and July to October for the Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti.
Is it worth visiting Tanzania in the rainy season?
In November, yes: showers are short and prices lower. April and May are harder, with heavy rain and many camps closed, but the parks are empty and green.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026
Serengeti safari guide: which area, how long and how to get there
The Serengeti is about 14,750 square kilometres, so where you stay matters. Central Seronera is good all year for big cats, Ndutu for calving early in the year, the Western Corridor in June and the north for river crossings from July to October. Allow at least two or three nights.
Updated 16 October 2026