The short answer
- Month
- April
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Safari weather
- The long rains, wettest month
- Great Migration
- Central Serengeti, spread out
- Kilimanjaro
- Poor, wet
- Zanzibar
- Very wet
April is the heart of the long rains. Storms can last for hours, some tracks become impassable and many seasonal camps close. In return, the northern parks are empty and green, and the Serengeti entry fee is lower until mid May.
Tanzania in April at a glance
The map opens on April; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
April
The long rains: the wettest month. Many camps close, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar are at their worst, prices are lowest.
- Serengeti (wet or difficult)plus the Great Migration all year
- Ngorongoro and Tarangire (wet or difficult)the rest of the northern circuit
- Kilimanjaro (wet or difficult)climbing conditions
- Zanzibar (wet or difficult)beaches and Stone Town
- Southern parks (wet or difficult)Nyerere and Ruaha
Where is the Great Migration in April?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
April
- Base in the Serengeti
- Seronera, central
- River crossings
- None
The long rains. Herds spread through central Serengeti; many camps close.
Where the herds are: Central Serengeti
April across the year
How April compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is April.
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 to go in April
- Central Serengeti: Herds spread out and moving north; cats are still resident.
- Ngorongoro Crater: Reliable even in the rains.
What to avoid in April
- Zanzibar and the southern parks, where many hotels and camps close.
- Kilimanjaro, unless you choose Rongai and accept wet days.
Events and holidays in April
- Karume Day (7 April): A public holiday.
- Union Day (26 April): A public holiday marking the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
Weather in April
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with April highlighted.
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.
A 5 day trip for April
Our suggestion for April: Tarangire, the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Tanzania trip planner.
Tip: If you go, choose a lodge rather than camping, and allow extra time between parks.
Want a April trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 5 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about March or May? See Tanzania in March and Tanzania in May, or compare every season in our guide to the best time to visit Tanzania.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
Should I visit Tanzania in April?
Only if you want low prices and empty parks and don't mind rain. It's the wettest month, and many camps and Zanzibar hotels close.
Sources we checked
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