Tanzania sits just south of the equator, so there is no real winter or summer. What changes through the year is rain. Altitude matters too: the highlands around Arusha and the Ngorongoro Crater are much cooler than the coast. This guide covers what to expect in each region and season.
The two rainy seasons
Most of Tanzania has two rainy seasons:
- Short rains, November to December. Usually short afternoon or evening showers. Mornings are often clear.
- Long rains, March to May. Heavier, longer rain. April is typically the wettest month in the north and on the coast.
In between, June to October is the long dry season and January to February is a warmer, drier spell. Rain patterns vary from year to year, and the south and west have a single longer wet season from about November to April.
Weather by region
| Region | Altitude | Typical days | Typical nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arusha | about 1,400 m | 20–28°C | 10–16°C |
| Serengeti plains | 1,200–1,800 m | 24–30°C | 13–17°C |
| Ngorongoro Crater rim | about 2,300 m | 15–22°C | 5–10°C |
| Tarangire and Lake Manyara | 950–1,200 m | 26–32°C | 15–19°C |
| Zanzibar and the coast | sea level | 28–33°C | 22–26°C |
| Nyerere and Ruaha | 100–1,000 m | 28–35°C | 17–22°C |
These are typical ranges, not forecasts. Hot days are more common from October to March, and the coldest mornings come in June and July.
Northern safari circuit
The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara share a similar pattern. From June to October, days are sunny and dry and the grass is short, which makes wildlife easier to see. Mornings in open vehicles are cold. From November, the short rains turn the plains green. In April and May, heavy rain can make some tracks difficult, and a few seasonal camps close.
The crater rim deserves its own mention. Lodges there are at about 2,300 metres and it is often misty and cold at night, even in the warm months. Most rooms have fireplaces or heaters for a reason. Plan your layers with our safari packing list.
Zanzibar and the coast
The coast is hot and humid all year. The best beach weather runs from June to October, when a steady breeze keeps it comfortable, and from December to February, when it is hotter and calmer. April and May bring heavy rain and some beach hotels close. Our Zanzibar Beach Week runs in the dry months.
Southern and western parks
Nyerere and Ruaha are lower and hotter than the north. The dry season from June to October is the main safari period, with October the hottest month. Many camps close during the heaviest rains from around March to May. Mahale and Gombe, on Lake Tanganyika, are humid forest where rain is possible in any month.
Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro has its own climate zones, from warm forest at the base to freezing conditions at the summit. Night temperatures near Uhuru Peak often fall well below zero. The best trekking months are generally January to early March and June to October, outside the main rains.
Month-by-month summary
| Month | North | Coast |
|---|---|---|
| January | Warm, some showers | Hot, mostly dry |
| February | Warm, mostly dry | Hot, mostly dry |
| March | Rains begin | Hot, rains begin |
| April | Wettest month | Very wet |
| May | Wet, clearing late | Wet |
| June | Dry, cool mornings | Dry, breezy |
| July | Dry, coldest mornings | Dry, breezy |
| August | Dry, cool | Dry, breezy |
| September | Dry, warming | Dry |
| October | Dry, hot afternoons | Dry, warm |
| November | Short rains | Short rains |
| December | Showers, green | Hot, mostly dry |
How weather affects your safari
- Dry season: easier spotting, dustier roads, higher prices.
- Green season: beautiful landscapes, newborn animals, fewer vehicles, occasional muddy roads.
- Rain on safari rarely stops a game drive. Vehicles have roofs, and showers usually pass within an hour.
For how weather lines up with the migration and the parks, read our best time for a safari in Tanzania guide. For a route that makes the most of the dry season, see The Grand Northern.
Frequently asked questions
There are two. The short rains usually fall in November and December and the long rains from March to May, with April the wettest month in most areas.
Early mornings and nights in the highlands can drop to around 5–10°C, especially from June to August on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Days on the plains are usually warm.
Yes. Zanzibar is warm and humid all year. The driest months are June to October and December to February.
