The best time to visit Tanzania, month by month

2026-06-28 · Planning

There is no single best month — only the best month for what you want to see.

The short answer

June to October is dry, cool and reliable, and it is the busiest and most expensive time to travel. January to March is hot, largely dry and quieter, and it is when the wildebeest calve. April and May are the long rains: cheapest, greenest, and some camps close.

January to March

Calving season on the southern Serengeti plains. Several thousand wildebeest are born each day in February, and the predators follow. Hot, with short afternoon storms. Excellent for Kilimanjaro — clear mornings and cold, dry summit nights.

April and May

The long rains. Roads deteriorate, some camps close, and the parks are at their greenest and emptiest. Rates fall considerably. Not the time to climb.

June to October

The dry season. Game concentrates around water, making it the easiest time to see animals; the Mara River crossings run from roughly July. The best trekking weather of the year and the busiest months on the mountain — book well ahead.

November and December

The short rains fall in November, usually as brief afternoon showers that do not disrupt much. By mid-December the herds are moving back south and the parks are green with very few vehicles.