When is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

Tanzania is best known for its safaris, beautiful beaches, scenic natural landscapes and abundant wildlife. It is a destination that has earned its rightful place on many people’s bucket lists and has millions of eager tourists planning their visits each year. 

So, what’s the first step in planning a trip to this gorgeous sub-Saharan country? Figuring out when is the best time of year to visit Tanzania.

It can be quite difficult to decide when the best time of year is to visit Tanzania, and there are many factors that influence the best time of year to visit, including weather conditions, and cost of travel, and depending on what activities you’re interested in doing during your trip, the answer can be different for everyone. 

From best times to visit, weather patterns, activities available during each season and how best to get there, this comprehensive guide has got you covered on everything you need to know about the best time to visit Tanzania so that you can plan your dream trip with ease!

 

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. 

 

What is the weather in Tanzania?

The climate in Tanzania is known for being subtropical to tropical. There are two seasons: the wet season and the dry season, which occur during different parts of the year.

The average high temperature ranges from 86°F (30°C) to 95°F (35°C) during most of the year, even in the wet season. And although there is a dry season, there is still sure to be rain! The average monthly rainfall ranges from 40-100 mm (about .16 inches to about .39 inches per month) during this time.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Tanzania?

Most believe that the best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, which lasts from September to November, due to the agreeable temperatures and less chance of rain.

However, as stated, this completely depends on you and what you imagine for your future Tanzanian getaway: are you looking to sunbathe on a warm sunny beach in Zanzibar? Or are you hoping to catch a glimpse of the annual wildebeest migration that typically takes place in the colder months?

Simply put: 

• If you are looking for an adventure trip, then it is best to go in March when there is less rainfall and the animals are more active. 

• For beach getaways, head over between March and June, the hottest months of the year in Tanzania. Beware, it will be humid during this time. There are many beautiful beaches that can also be visited year-round, but may have different water temperatures depending on the month. 

• For safari trips, the warm and sunny weather from September through November make this the ideal period to travel to Tanzania.

 

What are the best months to visit Tanzania?

Month-by-month weather & activity guide

 

​December – February (Rainy season)

It can be quite chilly and rainy during this time, so it’s probably not the best time of year to visit if you are looking for a sunny beach vacation. But, because of this, flights and hotels in the area are usually much cheaper, and could be a good thing to keep in mind if you’re on a budget and looking to cut costs.

 

December

While December is still technically part of the short rainy season, it normally does not continue too far into the month, which is fantastic news for Christmas and New Year’s visitors who rush to the country for their Holiday festivities.

Expect to pay a premium and deal with large crowds if you visit Tanzania in December. December is a great month for birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts however, since migrating birds arrive in the country during this month.

January

The ideal time to witness newborn babies in Serengeti National Park, especially wildebeest, is around January. January marks the start of the “short dry season,” with daily temperatures reaching around 30°C (86°F).

February

Still continuing the “short dry season,” February is a fantastic time to witness baby animals being born in Serengeti National Park. During this month, the north of Tanzania is more likely to have dry weather than the south, where rainfall from the wet season is likely to continue. The daily maximum temperature will be around 30°C (86°F) in the month of February.

 

March – May (Rainy season)

Tanzania experiences most of its rainfall during this period, making it difficult to travel along the coastline.

 

 

March

March marks the start of the long rainy season; expect high humidity and increased cloud coverage during this period. March is also the low season in Tanzania, so while visitors should expect daily rain, there should also be less tourists and reduced prices, which is great news for budget travelers. In March, the average high temperature will be 30°C (86°F).

April

April is another wet and rainy season, yet it is one of the greatest months to visit Tanzania on a budget. April is not only the cheapest month to fly to Tanzania, but hotels and resorts also offer discounts during this low season. Just like in March, humidity levels will be extremely high, with daily maximum temperatures reaching around 28°C (82°F).

May

Although May is still considered the low season, rainfall levels tend to fluctuate during this month. The one exception is Zanzibar, which receives more rain in this month than any other region in Tanzania. Prices remain cheap for this month, making May an excellent choice for budget travelers who aren’t afraid of the wet weather. The daily high temperature is 27°C (80°F) during this time period.

 

June – September (Dry season) 

These are the hottest months of the year in Tanzania, so it’s an ideal time for visiting Zanzibar or other coastal towns, but you will likely experience higher levels of humidity during this period. If you plan to visit any National parks or Reserves during this time, then it is best to go early in the morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are lower and animals are less active.

 

June

June is arguably the greatest month to visit Tanzania if you want to experience a little bit of everything. Travelers will enjoy the warmth, fresh flower blossoms, and one-of-a-kind animal sightings as the dry season begins. This is also an excellent time to visit the area’s beaches. Daytime temperatures often vary between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius (77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit) during the month of June.

July

July is Tanzania’s driest month, making it ideal for beach vacations, wildlife viewings, and family vacations, since the dry weather reduces the risk of contracting malaria. The wildebeest and zebra can be seen in Serengeti National Park for the last time in July before starting their migration to Kenya. Temperatures will reach a daily high of 26°C (79°F), making July an ideal month for a camping trip.

August

Because the dry season is in full swing and the vegetation is limited, August is an excellent month to visit for wildlife viewing. This month is also ideal for a beach vacation, as temperatures will be moderately warm but not scorching. Families, campers, and nature enthusiasts rejoice: this is the month for you. Temperatures will range from 25°C and 77°F on average during the month of August.

 

September – November (end of dry season)

This is what most people believe to be the best time of year to visit Tanzania. This is the period of the country’s dry season, which lasts from the end of September to mid-November. The weather will be warm and sunny with moderate humidity levels. This makes it an ideal time of year for outdoor activities such as safaris, beach vacations, or fishing trips. 

 

 

September

September is another dry season with low humidity, and it is one of the greatest seasons to visit Tanzania for animal adventures, as the wildebeest and zebra have begun their migration back to Serengeti National Park. September is also a fantastic month for diving and snorkeling because the sea clarity is better and the weather is still warm. The average daily high temperature will be around 28°C (82°F).

October

The weather begins to warm up again in October, but with it comes the start of the wet season. While visitors don’t have to worry about experiencing the same levels of rain that the wet season would bring, they may still encounter some episodes of rain showers throughout the day. This is an excellent season to visit Tanzania for beach vacations and wildlife viewing, with temperatures reaching highs of around 30°C (86°F) on average.

November

November marks the beginning of the short rains, the completion of the Great Migration, and, as a result, some incredible game sighting possibilities. Because there are less people visiting the country during this month, hotel rates are lower, making this a fantastic time for budget travelers to visit. In November, there are still some fantastic opportunities to see animals on safari. Every day in November, the humidity averages 76 percent, so be prepared to sweat!

 

When is the cheapest time to visit Tanzania?

On a budget and looking for the cheapest time to visit Tanzania? Go in April. As this is the wet and rainy season, tourist traffic is low during this time and flights to Tanzania are much cheaper than in the rest of the year. Not only is April the cheapest month to fly to Tanzania, but hotels and resorts will also often offer discounts during this low season.

 

What activities should be experienced in different seasons?

Deep-sea fishing in Tanzania

If you want to go deep-sea fishing in Tanzania, you should plan to go during the dry season, from the end of September to mid-November. This is because most fish are more active and easier to catch in shallow waters during this time period when there is less rain.

Annual wildebeest migration in Tanzania

If you’re interested in seeing the annual wildebeest migration, you will need to visit Tanzania between December through February or July through September. However, if this isn’t a main activity that you would like to experience, then it’s best to avoid these months because the weather during this period is more likely to be wet and muddy.

Safaris and adventure trips in Tanzania

If you are looking for an adventure trip in Tanzania, like a safari or other wildlife excursions, then go in March when there is less rainfall and the animals are more active. The Serengeti National Park can be visited year-round, but the best time is in between October and November when you can best witness different variations of scenery such as herds of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, giraffes and elephants.

 

What are some other activities I might enjoy in Tanzania?

There are many different things that you may want to do during your stay in Tanzania, it is a country with lots to offer in terms of entertainment and cultural enrichment and the possibilities are truly endless here. 

 

Some popular activities in Tanzania include:  

• Visit one of many Tanzania National Parks
• Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain
• Enjoy a beach vacation along the Indian Ocean coastline in Zanzibar
• Visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area for some of Africa’s most impressive wildlife viewing opportunities
• Visit Mafia Island, which is known for its beautiful beaches and underwater activities, such as deep-sea diving and fishing

 

Tanzania is a beautiful country to visit, and you will almost certainly have the time of your life no matter what season you decide to go. When trying to decide the best time of year to travel, consider your personal preferences as well as those factors that influence when it’s most comfortable or affordable for you.

While I can’t tell you definitively which seasons are better suited for your personal preferences, if cost and weather conditions are important considerations in determining your ideal itinerary, it’s important to map out a budget, research and compare flight and hotel prices and plan your ideal activities and excursions before deciding on a time to go.

Whenever you decide to take the plunge on booking that beautiful getaway to Tanzania, I hope these tips will help make your planning easier!