· Golden Memories Safaris
There is no single best time to visit Tanzania, because the country offers very different experiences through the year. The dry months from June to October give the easiest wildlife viewing. January and February bring the calving season on the southern Serengeti plains. The rains from March to May turn the parks green and quiet, with the lowest prices of the year. This guide goes through every month, explains what is happening with the weather and the wildlife, and helps you match the right month to the trip you want.
How the seasons work in Tanzania
Tanzania sits just south of the equator, so the year is divided by rainfall, not by summer and winter. According to the Tanzania Meteorological Authority, the northern half of the country, including Arusha, the Kilimanjaro region, Manyara and the Zanzibar islands, has two rainy seasons. The long rains, known as Masika, usually begin in March and continue through May. The short rains, known as Vuli, start in October and last through December. June to September are dry across the country, and January and February are relatively dry in the northern regions.
This pattern shapes everything on safari. When the grass is short and the water is scarce, in the dry season, animals gather at rivers and are easy to find. When the rains arrive, the plains turn green, animals spread out, and the landscape is at its most beautiful but wildlife is harder to locate. The Serengeti migration follows the rain, so understanding the seasons also tells you where the herds will be.
Tanzania month by month
January: calving season begins
January is warm and relatively dry in the north, with showers more likely in the afternoon. The Tanzania Tourism Board notes that the herds arrive on the southern plains around Ndutu in January, and the calving season begins. Predators gather to hunt, so lions, cheetahs and hyenas are active. It is a popular month, and the Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year, so book early.
February: the peak of the calving season
February is widely regarded as the best month for the calving season, with thousands of calves born each day over several weeks. The weather stays warm and mostly dry. The southern Serengeti and Ndutu area are the places to be, and you also get good conditions in the Ngorongoro Crater. It is an excellent time for photographers and for anyone who wants to see the drama of predator and prey.
March: the rains start
March is the beginning of the long rains. Showers become more frequent, but they are often short and the mornings can be clear. The calving herds are still around Ndutu early in the month. From 15 March the official Serengeti park fee falls from USD 70 to USD 60 per adult per day under the TANAPA tariff, and many lodges lower their rates, so March can offer very good value.
April: green, quiet and cheaper
April is one of the wettest months in the north. The roads in some areas are muddy, and a few remote camps close for the season. In return you have the parks largely to yourself, the landscape is lush, and prices are at their lowest. Birdlife is rich. April suits flexible travellers who are comfortable with some rain and want a quiet safari at a lower cost.
May: the rains ease and the herds move
May is still part of the long rains but the weather begins to improve towards the end of the month. The herds start moving north and west, and conditions improve steadily for game viewing. The low season Serengeti fee ends on 15 May, and the peak season rate returns from 16 May. It is a good shoulder month for travellers who want fewer visitors and fair prices.
June: the dry season begins
June is dry, with cool mornings and warm days, and the grass begins to shorten. The herds are travelling through the western corridor of the Serengeti. Tarangire begins to fill with wildlife as the rivers become the main source of water. This is when the main safari season begins, and the parks are busier.
July: river crossings begin
July is dry and clear. The Tanzania Tourism Board describes the herds reaching the Grumeti River in the western Serengeti around this time, and then moving north towards the Mara River. It is one of the most popular months, so book lodges well in advance. Days are comfortable and nights are cool, so bring a warm layer for early morning drives.
August: northern Serengeti and Mara River
August is dry and one of the best months for wildlife. The herds are in the northern Serengeti, and crossings of the Mara River take place between July and early November. Crossings are unpredictable and can happen at any time of day, so patience is part of the experience. Tarangire is excellent, with large numbers of elephants around the river.
September: excellent and a little quieter
September is dry and warm, and the crowds begin to ease after the peak weeks of July and August. The northern Serengeti is still productive, and wildlife viewing across all the parks is strong. Many experienced travellers consider September one of the best months, with good weather and slightly better availability.
October: the herds head south
October is warm and often dry at the start, with the short rains beginning later in the month. The herds start moving south again. It is a good month for the Serengeti, with fewer visitors than in the peak season and some lower rates. Showers are usually brief and the light for photography can be dramatic.
November: the short rains
November is the start of the short rains. Showers are common, but they are generally lighter than the long rains and the landscape becomes green. The wildebeest stop in the central and southern Serengeti from November, where the abundant food keeps them for the rest of the year. Prices are lower than in the peak season and the parks are quiet.
December: green season and holiday crowds
December combines the short rains with the holiday season. The herds are in the southern and central Serengeti, and the area comes alive as calving approaches. The weeks around Christmas and New Year are the most expensive and busiest period in Tanzania, so book as early as you can. Early December is quieter and cheaper than the last two weeks of the month.
Safari prices and park fees through the year
Safari prices follow the seasons. The most expensive times are late June to October and the Christmas and New Year weeks. The cheapest are March to May and early November. Park fees add a second layer. Under the official TANAPA tariff for 2023/24, non resident adults pay USD 70 per day in the Serengeti from 16 May to 14 March and USD 60 from 15 March to 15 May. In Tarangire, Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park the rate is USD 50 in the peak period and USD 45 in the low period. Tariffs are reviewed each financial year, so confirm the current fee when you book.
See what a Tanzania safari costs
The best time for each type of trip
Best time for the Great Migration
For calving, go from January to March and head to the southern Serengeti and Ndutu. For river crossings, go from July to October and stay in the northern Serengeti. The herds move continuously, so choose your camp area according to the month, and ask your operator where the herds are in the weeks before you travel.
Best time for big cats
Lions, cheetahs and leopards can be seen all year, but the calving season brings predators to the southern plains, and the dry season makes cats easier to see around water. The Ndutu area is known for strong cheetah and lion numbers.
Best time for birdwatching
The green season, from November to April, is usually the best for birds, as the rains bring migrant species and breeding plumage. If birds are your priority, visit then and accept a little rain.
Best time for a budget safari
April and May, and early November, offer the lowest prices. A joining safari on fixed dates is another way to share costs at any time of year.
Best time to climb Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the most settled weather is generally from January to early March and from June to October, when conditions on the mountain are drier. The long rains in April and May make the trails wet and the summit colder, and the mountain is quieter. Read our guide to the cost of a climb before you choose your dates.
Best time for Zanzibar
Zanzibar has the same two rainy seasons as northern Tanzania, so the driest months, from June to October and January to February, are the best for beach days and snorkelling. April and May are the wettest, and some small hotels close. Most travellers combine a safari with a few days on the coast.
Best time for families
School holidays decide most family trips. The calving season in January and February is good for children because the animals are active and the days are not too hot, while July and August give the driest, easiest conditions. We explain how to plan a safari with children in our family guide.
Which months to avoid, and why they are not that bad
Many people avoid April and May because of the rain, but the rain is usually short and heavy rather than constant, and the quiet parks and lower prices are a real advantage. The one period we advise against, unless you are prepared for it, is the peak of the long rains in April for travellers who want to camp or drive long distances on unpaved roads. In every other month, there is something worth seeing.
Common questions about the best time to visit Tanzania
What is the best month to visit Tanzania?
For most travellers, the best months are June to October for easy wildlife viewing and dry weather. If you want to see calves and predators, February is the standout, and if you want quiet and good prices, choose April or May.
Is the rainy season a bad time for safari?
Not at all. The long rains bring lush landscapes, fewer visitors, lower prices and excellent birding. Rain tends to fall in short bursts, often in the afternoon, and many days are bright. The main drawbacks are muddy roads in some areas and a few camps closing.
When can I see the Great Migration?
The migration is a continuous movement, so there is always a herd somewhere. Calving is from January to March in the south, and the river crossings are from July to early November in the north. We help you choose the right area for your month.
When is the cheapest time to visit Tanzania?
April, May and early November are the cheapest times, with lower lodge rates and, in the Serengeti, a lower official park fee from 15 March to 15 May.
How far ahead should I book?
For the peak months of July to October and the Christmas weeks, book six to twelve months ahead for the best lodges. For the green season you can often book a few months in advance.
Choose the right month and book with a local team
Tell us when you can travel and what you most want to see. We will recommend the parks and the type of safari that suit the month, and send a clear price with everything included.
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Best Tanzania safari itineraries for first timers
The Great Migration, month by month
More guides and pages for this trip
Tanzania mandatory travel insurance
Best time to climb Kilimanjaro
Sources and further reading
Facts and figures in this guide come from the sources below. Fees, schedules and entry rules change, so confirm current details before you book.
- Tanzania Meteorological Authority, climate statements, meteo.go.tz.
- Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA), Tariffs from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024, tanzaniaparks.go.tz.
- Tanzania Tourism Board, destination and Great Migration pages, tanzaniatourism.com.
- National Geographic, Great Migration coverage, nationalgeographic.com.
- Golden Memories Safaris package prices, per person for two travellers sharing, October 2026.