There is no bad time for a safari in Tanzania, but each month suits a different kind of trip. The dry season gives the most reliable game viewing. The green season brings newborn animals, fewer vehicles and lower prices. The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti all year, so your dates decide which part of the park you should be in.
Tanzania’s seasons at a glance
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| June to October | Long dry season | Thin vegetation, animals gather near water, cool mornings, peak prices. |
| November to December | Short rains | Short afternoon showers, landscapes turn green, fewer visitors. |
| January to February | Short dry spell | Warm, green, calving season in the southern Serengeti. |
| March to May | Long rains | Heaviest rain in April and May, some camps close, lowest prices. |
Rain patterns shift from year to year. For more on temperatures and regional differences, read our guide to Tanzania weather by season.
January and February: calving season
From late January into February, most of the wildebeest herds are on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area. Hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a few weeks. Lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow the herds, so predator sightings are frequent.
The weather is warm and usually dry between showers. This is one of our favourite times to travel, and our Calving Season, Ndutu safari is built around it.
March to May: the long rains
March is often still good in the south. April and May bring the heaviest rain, and some seasonal camps close. Roads can be muddy and a few areas become hard to reach.
The trade-off is value. Lodges that stay open offer their lowest rates, the parks are quiet and the scenery is at its greenest. The Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire remain good options in this period.
June and July: the dry season begins
The rains end and the herds move north-west through the central Serengeti and the western corridor, where they cross the Grumeti River. Vegetation thins, so animals are easier to spot. Mornings are cold, particularly on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
June is a sweet spot: dry-season conditions with fewer visitors than August. Book early for July, which is popular with families during school holidays.
August to October: river crossings in the north
The herds reach the northern Serengeti and move back and forth across the Mara River. Crossings are unpredictable. Some days bring several, other days none. Staying three nights or more near Kogatende gives you the best chance.
This is peak season. Tarangire is also excellent from August to October, when large elephant herds gather along the Tarangire River. See River Crossing Season for a route that includes both.
November and December: the short rains
The herds move south again towards the southern Serengeti. Short afternoon showers settle the dust and the plains turn green. Early November is quiet and good value. The Christmas and New Year period is busy and priced as peak season.
Best time by park
| Park | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti (south, Ndutu) | December to March | Migration herds and calving |
| Serengeti (north) | July to October | Mara River crossings |
| Serengeti (central) | All year | Resident lions and leopards |
| Ngorongoro Crater | All year | Permanent water and wildlife |
| Tarangire | June to October | Elephant herds along the river |
| Nyerere and Ruaha | June to October | Dry season concentrates game |
| Zanzibar | June to October, December to February | Dry, sunny beach weather |
The southern and western parks
Nyerere (formerly the Selous) and Ruaha follow a simpler pattern. Game viewing is best in the dry months from June to October, when animals stay close to the rivers. Many camps in the south close during the long rains. Our Nyerere & Ruaha safari runs in the dry season.
For chimpanzees in Mahale and Gombe, the dry season from July to October also tends to bring the chimps down to lower slopes, where they are easier to reach.
How to choose your month
- First safari, flexible dates: June or early October.
- Migration river crossings: August or September, three nights in the north.
- Baby animals and predators: February in Ndutu.
- Best value: November or March, or April and May if you accept rain.
- Safari and beach: June to October or January to February, when Zanzibar is dry.
Whatever month you choose, book early for July to October, when the best camps fill six to ten months ahead. Our guide on how to prepare for a Tanzania safari has a timeline to follow.
Frequently asked questions
For general game viewing, June to October is the most reliable period. For calving in the southern Serengeti, late January and February are best. For river crossings, aim for August or September.
November, December and January to February are good value and very green. The long rains in April and May are the wettest period, when some camps close, but prices are at their lowest.
The herds are in Tanzania for most of the year: the southern Serengeti from about December to March, the western corridor around June, and the northern Serengeti from about July to October.
