The short answer
- Month
- December
- Verdict
- Very good
- Safari weather
- Showers easing, warm
- Great Migration
- Arriving on the southern plains
- Kilimanjaro
- Good, busy at Christmas
- Zanzibar
- Hot and mostly sunny
December is a lovely month in Tanzania: green landscapes, the herds arriving back on the short grass plains around Ndutu, and hot beach weather on Zanzibar. The holidays are busy, so book ahead.
Tanzania in December at a glance
The map opens on December; tap another month to compare.
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December
The herds return to the southern plains. Showers ease by mid month; Christmas and New Year are busy.
- Serengeti (best)plus the Great Migration all year
- Ngorongoro and Tarangire (best)the rest of the northern circuit
- Zanzibar (best)beaches and Stone Town
- Kilimanjaro (mixed)climbing conditions
- Southern parks (mixed)Nyerere and Ruaha
Where is the Great Migration in December?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
December
- Base in the Serengeti
- Ndutu or Seronera
- River crossings
- None
Back on the southern plains ready for calving. The Masai Mara is quiet, with excellent resident wildlife.
Where the herds are: Southern Serengeti and Central Serengeti
December across the year
How December compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is December.
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 December
- Ndutu and the central Serengeti: The herds return south.
- Kilimanjaro: A popular holiday climb.
- Zanzibar: Hot and mostly sunny.
What to avoid in December
- Booking late for Christmas and New Year.
Events and holidays in December
- Independence Day (9 December): A public holiday.
- Christmas and Boxing Day (25 and 26 December): Public holidays, and the busiest week of the year in the parks.
Weather in December
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with December 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 10 day trip for December
Our suggestion for December: Tarangire, the crater and the Serengeti, then Zanzibar for New Year. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Tanzania trip planner.
Tip: Early December is quieter and cheaper than the holiday weeks.
Want a December trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 10 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about November or January? See Tanzania in November and Tanzania in January, 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
Is December a good time to visit Tanzania?
Yes. The rains ease, the herds return to the southern plains and Zanzibar is sunny, but the holiday weeks are busy.
Sources we checked
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