TANZANIA

The long dry season in Tanzania runs from June through October. This also corresponds to the high season. For the great migration, this is the time to see the fabulous river crossings in the Northern Serengeti. Although the exact timing varies from year to year, July and August are typically the most reliable for river crossings. Correspondingly, with the ungulates coming through, the grasses are much shorter, and wildlife viewing is at its best. In other areas, the dry season is a time of drought, and animals are forced to congregate at ever-shrinking waterholes and riverbeds in search of water. This makes for easier animal viewing, and is a time of plenty for predators. January and February are also hot, dry months in Tanzania. Between January and March, the wildebeest are in the Ndutu area of the Serengeti, and February is the peak calving season.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Dry Season

Green Season

The long rains in Tanzania run from March to May, and weather conditions at this time become quite adverse as roads become impassable, forcing many camps to close. However, a number of camps remain open, and for those in the know, this is a great time to visit, with low tourist numbers and great deals on accommodation. In May, the wildebeest run the gauntlet of the Grumeti River in Western Serengeti. November and December bring around the short-rain season, which is much less pronounced and is quite variable. Again, this can be an excellent time to visit.

SAFARI REGIONS

THE SEASONS

Tanzania has the greatest variety of wildlife and scenery of any country in Africa. The vast endless plains of the Serengeti and weathered volcanic mountains, such as Mount Kilimanjaro and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater dominate the north. These iconic northern parks are the busiest, but being a vast region, it is very possible to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, even during peak seasons.

In the south and west, the vast, remote reserves of Ruaha, Selous and Katavi are relatively unvisited, and are places of legend – holy grails for safari connoisseurs.

The Tanzanian coast is also legendary, centered on Zanibar, an island whose name evokes a sense of wandlerlust, with its beautiful beaches, excellent diving and snorkeling, and fabulous Swahili culture.

As Tanzania is such a vast country, the climate can vary quite considerably between different areas. However, in general, there is a dry season and green season. The descriptions below are an overview of the seasonality. We work closely with our clients and suggest the best locations based on the time of year they are travelling.