When is the best time for a safari in Tanzania?
The best time for a Safari in Tanzania depends on what wildlife you’d like to spot. The country’s seasons and wildlife numbers are dictated by the rains, so you’ll have a slightly different experience depending on when you choose to visit.
Tanzania’s headline attraction is the Great Migration, which occurs year-round across the Serengeti. Many people flock here between July and September for a chance to witness huge herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River — panic ensues as they try to avoid the jaws of crocodiles and other predators waiting to pounce. You’ll see lots of safari vehicles in the park at this time of year, though.
Tanzania’s ‘green season’, between November and March, is much quieter. While there’s a chance of rain showers, it’s a fantastic time for birdwatching as migratory species arrive in their thousands. You’ll also see Great Migration herds with their newly born calves.
George Temba
The best time to visit Tanzania is from July to October when the country is at its driest. This coincides with the migration river crossings, however, all the parks offer amazing wildlife sightings at this time as the grasses and bush are at their least dense.
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Month-by-month guide for travelling in Tanzania
If your Tanzania Travel Itinerary revolves around observing specific wildlife and visiting some particular natural wonders, you will always find certain months more appealing than others. Hence, determining the Best Month for Tanzania Safari will eventually depend on your interests and desired experiences. Let’s look at the details of what each month has got in store for you when coming for Tanzania Safari Tours.
If it’s a tropical beach holiday that you’re after, January is one of the best times to visit Tanzania’s coast. Experiencing Zanzibar for a vacation consists of powder-soft sand beaches, azure waters, and total relaxation. For the Wildebeest Migration, the first month of the year usually sees the herds move into the southern Serengeti to give birth to their calves.
It’s hot and humid during February, and it’s the start of calving season when thousands of wildebeest give birth to their young and predators lie in wait. Approximately 500,000 wildebeest calves are born during this period. The plains are full of new life, taking their first teetering steps.
It’s extremely hot in Tanzania in March, early in the month it tends to be dry, although the ‘long rains’ have in previous years come early. The landscape turns an otherworldly green which is a strong contrast to the brown texture of the terrain over the summer months. The Ngorongoro Highlands receives short and sharp rainfall in the late afternoon, leaving the mornings pleasant. March is also considered a prime month to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro.
April is by far the wettest month of the year and while the rains predominantly come in the form of afternoon thundershowers, it’s not unusual to have big storms at night, as well as plenty of grey days. The western and southern parks have the highest humidity of the year, but accommodations and Tanzania tours offer great value for money if you choose to travel during this time.
The beginning of May is still very wet, but things do start to dry out towards the end of the month as June welcomes in the dry season. During this month, the Great Migration is trekking from the southern Serengeti to the western corridor.
June is dry, busy and is considered the best time of year to visit for Tanzania luxury safaris. The rains have come to an end, the savannahs are starting to change from green to yellow, and wildlife sightings improve as the vegetation slowly recedes. The Wildebeest Migration may have stopped at the Grumeti River, building up numbers before they attempt their death-defying crossings.
July is when peak safari season is in full swing and is the best time to travel to Tanzania for ideal weather and excellent game drive opportunities, as well as pairing up a Kenya and Tanzania safari. The Great Migration should have reached the northern parts of the Serengeti, getting ready for its main event: crossing the treacherous waters of the Mara River into Kenya. Read more to find out about a Kenya vs Tanzania safari.
August is still considered peak season with tourist crowds flocking to the northern safari circuit (Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti) and Zanzibar. Wildlife viewing is sensational, and the herds of the Great Migration should have started to cross the Mara River.
In September, tourist crowds begin to dissipate and there is still no rain, meaning humidity levels are low bringing fewer mosquitoes. September is another prime month for hikers wanting to conquer Kilimanjaro and for those in search of high numbers of elephants, the Tarangire National Park is where you will find them en masse. Plus, this month is the start of the fishing season in Tanzania’s great lake regions.
October sees the building of thunderclouds and the arrival of the first rains. Mahale Mountains National Park during this month is the best time to travel to Tanzania for chimpanzee encounters, and Lake Tanganyika is at its warmest. If you’re wanting to climb Mount Meru, this is the best month to visit Arusha National Park.
November is possibly one of the most underrated months for a safari in Tanzania. There will be rain, but it’s usually only periodic thundershowers in the afternoon. The northern parks of Tanzania are generally great for game viewing year-round, and this month is a good time to discover some off-the-beaten track destinations.
December falls in the middle of the ‘short rains’ and the beginning of the month is usually quiet compared to the two weeks over Christmas and New Year. December is the perfect month for birdwatching as the migratory birds start to arrive – particularly in the Nyerere and Tarangire National Parks. The Great Migration has returned to the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti. It’s the ideal time for a Serengeti Safari in Tanzania witnessing feasting in preparation to calve and bringing new life on their year-round circular journey.
Safari Seasons In Tanzania
Tanzania offers a range of safari seasons throughout the year, each with its distinct characteristics and attractions. By understanding the different seasons, travellers can find the Best Time to Do Safari in Tanzania.
High Season – June To October
These are peak tourism months with excellent weather and high animal visibility. However, they also come with crowded parks and higher costs.
- Weather is cool, dry, and predominantly sunny.
- This is considered the best time to see wild animals on Tanzania Safari Vacation.
- Popular areas may experience higher prices and increased hotel occupancy during this time.
Shoulder Season - October To February
Shoulder seasons are transitional periods with fewer tourists and moderate animal visibility. The weather is generally unpredictable, but costs are relatively lower.
- The weather during these months is generally hot, with occasional short rains. These rains are known as “mvuli” and the seasonal trade wind called “kusi” blows from late October.
- Serengeti Safaris are the highlights of the shoulder season as they allow you to witness the famous wildebeest calving season.
Low Season - March To May
Heavy rains are common during the low season. This can lead to muddy secondary roads and limited access to certain areas.
- This is the best time for discounted stays as some hotels offer lower rates, and there are fewer crowds in the northern safari parks of the country.
- Additionally, bird-watching enthusiasts will enjoy the abundance of birdlife during this season.
Choose Your Time For A Rewarding Tanzania Safari!
Ultimately, choosing the Best Time to Visit Tanzania largely depends on the specific wildlife and scenery you’re keen to experience. Every season has its unique charm and offers different yet equally thrilling Tanzania Safari Tours.
From the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti to the serene beauty of Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania’s wildlife spectacle is always open for business. Remember, your perfect safari is just a choice away.
To create unforgettable memories on the magnificent plains of Africa, book your next adventure with Nyamera Treks & Safaris. Choose from our wide selection of Tanzania Safari Packages and start planning as the wilderness is waiting!
Trip Inspiration
The tours featured throughout our website are intended to give you ideas for what’s possible when you travel with us. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created individually by one of our specialists to match your tastes and budget.
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Ways to Experience Luxury Travel to Tanzania
See What Our Clients, Have to Say
We have been receiving reviews from our served clients and Nyamera Treks & Safaris is rated 5/5 by customers. This honor is given to us by customers because we always remain committed to all our customers to do whatever is needed by them to make their safari fully satisfied.
Posted on Nesta OAugust 10, 2025Verified Book with Nyamera! I am a teenager, so I am writing from a young perspective. Our experience in Tanzania was awesome, from the animal experiences to the tribal ones! But, what made it most special where our guides, George, the owner and founder of Nyamera, and Hussein our wildlife expert. Anything we asked to see, they would find for us! We spent 2 hours watching a lioness hunt. In the beginning of the trip I told Hussein that one of our guides earlier in the trip found a chameleon in the dark. So, on our very last day we pull over onto the side of the road and he comes back with a chameleon on his finger. We were all in shock, as I had said this as a joke, but if you really want to see something Nyamera will try their very hardest to find that for you. If you have any desire at all to go to Tanzania, then book with Nyamera!Posted on Vanessa KJuly 25, 2025Verified Older Couple – Slow Pace, Big Comfort We are both in our early 60s and were looking for a trip that didn’t feel too rushed. Nyamera Treks and Safaris helped organize a safari that suited our pace. The guide always made sure we had time to stretch, take photos, and never felt hurried. The lodges were comfortable and had everything we needed. Seeing the animals in the Serengeti was a dream come true, and we especially enjoyed watching the sunset over the savannah. It was calm, quiet, and truly special.Posted on Rachel LJuly 24, 2025Verified Luxury Fly-in Safari Nyamera Treks arranged a luxury fly-in safari for our anniversary, and it was exceptional. We flew into Serengeti straight from Arusha—saving time and traveling in comfort. The lodges were stunning, the wildlife was everywhere, and the whole trip felt personalized. Trust them to plan something really specialPosted on VetmccJuly 23, 2025Verified Great Introduction to Tanzania Felt Welcomed from Day One This was my first trip to Tanzania and my first safari ever. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was warmly welcomed and guided throughout. The driver picked me up on time, explained what the day would look like, and made sure I had enough water and snacks. The scenery was stunning – endless open landscapes, acacia trees, and animals I’ve only seen in books. The guide didn’t just show us the animals; he told stories and gave context, which made it more meaningful. I left with a real appreciation for the country.Posted on Gregory OJuly 21, 2025Verified Personal seven day Safari and tribal experience George and the crew at Nyamera are the best! The personalized care that they gave myself in my family was unmatched. The personalized touch we were able to put on the trip, as well as their personalized touch made it an unforgettable trip. They really took the time to make sure that every little detail was taken care of. George, Hussein, and the rest of the crew have become family.Posted on Nancy SJune 11, 2025Verified Nyamera is the BEST! When I first reached out to Nyamera, I was concerned our Tanzanian trip was in jeopardy because based on conversations I had with other operators, we couldn’t afford to do all the things we wanted to experience. I was immediately put at ease by the owner’s amazing communication skills and his abilities to get everything we wanted on the itinerary within our budget. His follow up and organization was always very clear and we landed at Kiliminjaro Airport ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Our trip could not have been organized any better. Our guide was incredibly experienced and knowledgeable and showed genuine concern for our happiness.All the lodging was unique and comfortable and the meals exceeded our expectations. Our guide went out of his way to make sure we experienced all the wildlife sightings we desired. Lions in trees and posing on rocks, cheetahs with babies and carrying a fresh kill. We watched a lioness stalk a herd of wildebeest for 2 hours. We chased the migration and saw huge herds of wildebeest and zebras. Our minds were blown every day!We also had interactions with the Masai, Hadzabe and Dagota tribes which we highly recommend. And, don’t miss the forest walk at Lake Maynara, it was epic!We sang songs together in the Land Cruiser and learned about each other’s families. We arrived as clients, but we left as friends. This trip changed us. It bonded our family and it was worth EVERY penny. Do not hesitate to book with Nyamera! We will always arrange our Africa travel with them and recommend to all our friends and family as well!Posted on LiamMay 28, 2025Verified Organized and Reliable – Everything Ran Smoothly From the very beginning, everything about this trip was well arranged. I had lots of questions before booking, and I always got clear answers by email. When we arrived, someone was already waiting for us at the airport, which was reassuring after a long flight. The same care was shown throughout the safari – clean vehicle, plenty of bottled water, and a guide who clearly cared about both safety and making sure we had a good experience. I never felt lost or confused about the schedule. It all worked out better than I expected.Posted on Tim K.May 28, 2025Verified Relaxing End in Zanzibar – Just What We Needed After a week on the road, we were pretty tired. Spending the last part of our trip in Zanzibar was a perfect way to unwind. The beaches were peaceful and clean, and the water was so warm we ended up swimming every day. The trip was arranged in a way that everything flowed naturally. We had enough time to rest, but we also visited Stone Town, which gave us a taste of Zanzibar’s culture. It wasn’t rushed, and we appreciated that. We didn’t need to worry about anything – our airport pickup, ferry, and hotel were all sorted.Posted on AmeliaMay 27, 2025Verified Solo Traveler – Felt Safe and Cared For the Whole Time I was traveling alone and was a bit nervous, but from the first day I felt completely looked after. I was picked up on time at the airport and everything was explained clearly. During the safari, my guide made sure I was comfortable and included. Even though I was alone, I never felt awkward. The days were full of amazing sights — we saw elephants walking right beside our vehicle, and even spotted a rhino, which I didn’t expect. Evenings were peaceful, and I had time to read and rest. It felt like the right mix of adventure and personal space.Posted on Yusuph RamadhanMay 20, 2025Verified From Safari to Sea – A Well-Balanced Itinerary Our trip combined a few days in Serengeti with a Zanzibar beach stay, and I think the balance was perfect. The first part was full of action – early game drives, watching lions and hyenas, seeing a leopard in a tree. Then we flew to Zanzibar, where everything slowed down. Long walks on the beach, quiet dinners, and time to reflect. I liked that both parts of the trip had a completely different mood. It gave us time to experience the wild and then relax before heading back home.Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 24 reviews
Reasons On Why Going On Safari With Us
Choose Nyamera Treks & Safaris for an unforgettable safari with expert guides, tailored packages, and luxurious accommodations. Enjoy unique experiences like the Great Migration and support conservation and local communities. Nyamera Treks & Safaris ensures a memorable adventure.

Best Vehicles
We use only new Land Cruisers produced in 2016-2023 and fitted with a fridge, Wi-Fi and sockets

Smart Planning
Our team of qualified safari experts knows how to tailor your adventure to your individual travel style

Licensed Operator
Annually approved for tour operating activities by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism

Quality Control
We personally inspect every lodge and park before they land on your travel itinerary
Experience Africa with Us
Discover the adventure of a lifetime with Nyamera Treks and Safaris. Experience thrilling game drives, intimate walking safaris, and serene boat trips, all guided by experts. Enjoy up-close encounters with the Big Five, visits to Maasai villages, and luxurious accommodations. Book now for an unforgettable, personalized safari adventure!



