The short answer
- Month
- March
- Verdict
- Good
- Safari weather
- Warm, rains starting
- Great Migration
- Southern Serengeti
- Kilimanjaro
- Good early, wetter later
- Zanzibar
- Hot, rain arriving
Early March can be excellent, with calves still on the southern plains and fewer visitors. The long rains usually arrive in the second half of the month, bringing afternoon storms and lower prices.
Tanzania in March at a glance
The map opens on March; tap another month to compare.
Choose your month
March
Still good in the south of the Serengeti early in the month; the long rains usually start in the second half.
- Serengeti (mixed)plus the Great Migration all year
- Ngorongoro and Tarangire (mixed)the rest of the northern circuit
- Kilimanjaro (mixed)climbing conditions
- Zanzibar (mixed)beaches and Stone Town
- Southern parks (wet or difficult)Nyerere and Ruaha
Where is the Great Migration in March?
Choose your month
Highlighted months: herds mostly in Tanzania.
March
- Base in the Serengeti
- Ndutu or Seronera
- River crossings
- None
The calves are growing and the herds start drifting north as the plains dry.
Where the herds are: Southern Serengeti and Central Serengeti
March across the year
How March compares with the rest of the year in each region. The ringed column is March.
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 March
- Southern and central Serengeti: Young calves and predators, with fewer vehicles.
- Ngorongoro Crater: Good all year.
- Kilimanjaro: Climb early in the month, or choose the drier Rongai route.
What to avoid in March
- The southern parks late in the month, as camps start closing for the rains.
Events and holidays in March
- Easter: Sometimes falls in late March, a busy holiday period.
Weather in March
Average highs, lows and rainfall, with March 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 7 day trip for March
Our suggestion for March: Tarangire, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Every trip can be made private, or try your own route in our Tanzania trip planner.
Tip: Travel in the first half of the month for the best balance of weather and value.
Want a March trip made for you?
A local specialist will send a free itinerary and price for 7 days, built around your dates.
Other months
Thinking about February or April? See Tanzania in February and Tanzania in April, 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 March a good time for a Tanzania safari?
Often yes, especially early in the month. The herds are usually still in the south, and prices drop as the rains approach.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
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