The short answer
- Month
- January
- Verdict
- Excellent
- Safari weather
- Warm, mostly dry
- Great Migration
- Southern Serengeti, calving begins
- Kilimanjaro
- Good, warmer and quieter
- Zanzibar
- Hot and sunny
January is one of Tanzania's best months. The short rains are over, the plains around Ndutu are green and full of wildebeest, and the first calves are born towards the end of the month. It's also a good, quieter month on Kilimanjaro, and peak beach weather on Zanzibar.
Tanzania in January at a glance
The map opens on January; tap another month to compare.
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
Where is the Great Migration in January?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
January
- Base in the Serengeti
- Ndutu, southern plains
- River crossings
- None
Herds graze the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. Calving starts late in the month.
Where the herds are: Southern Serengeti
January across the year
How January compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is January.
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 January
- Ndutu and the southern Serengeti: The migration herds, with calving starting late in the month.
- Ngorongoro Crater: Lush and full of animals, close to the calving plains.
- Kilimanjaro: Mostly dry, with warmer summit nights than July.
- Zanzibar: Hot, calm and sunny.
What to avoid in January
- Leaving bookings late for New Year: camps around Ndutu fill early.
- The northern Serengeti if you want the herds: they're far south.
Events and holidays in January
- New Year's Day (1 January): A public holiday.
- Zanzibar Revolution Day (12 January): A public holiday, with events on Zanzibar.
Weather in January
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with January 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 January
Our suggestion for January: Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and Ndutu for calving, then Zanzibar. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Tanzania trip planner.
Tip: Base yourself in the Ndutu area rather than central Serengeti to stay close to the herds.
Want a January 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 December or February? See Tanzania in December and Tanzania in February, 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 January a good time to visit Tanzania?
Yes, one of the best: dry spells, the migration on the southern plains with calving starting, good climbing and sunny Zanzibar.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
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