Jun–Oct
Dry season
Cool, dry and clear. Animals gather at rivers, vegetation thins and game viewing is at its best everywhere. It is also peak season, so book early.
Plan by season
When to go to Tanzania
Every month is a good month somewhere. Here is where each destination is at its best.
The seasons
Four seasons, no wrong answer.
Nov–Dec
Short rains
Brief afternoon showers turn the land green. The herds return south. Good value and fewer vehicles.
Jan–Mar
Green season
Warm with occasional showers. Calving season in the southern Serengeti and superb birding. Zanzibar is hot and sunny.
Apr–May
Long rains
Heavy rain at times, lush scenery and the lowest prices. Some southern and western camps close; the north stays open.
Month by month
Best months by destination
Darker means better. Tap a destination for the full guide.
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Circuit | ||||||||||||
| Serengeti | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: best | Apr: good | May: good | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Ngorongoro | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: good | May: good | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Tarangire | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: good | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Lake Manyara | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: good | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Arusha NP | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Arusha town | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: good | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Lake Natron | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Lake Eyasi | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: good | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Mkomazi | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Kilimanjaro | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Southern Circuit | ||||||||||||
| Nyerere (Selous) | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Ruaha | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Mikumi | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Udzungwa | Jan: good | Feb: good | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Western Circuit | ||||||||||||
| Mahale | Jan: quieter | Feb: quieter | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: quieter |
| Gombe | Jan: quieter | Feb: quieter | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: quieter |
| Katavi | Jan: quieter | Feb: quieter | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: quieter |
| Rubondo | Jan: quieter | Feb: quieter | Mar: quieter | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: good | Nov: good | Dec: good |
| Coast & Islands | ||||||||||||
| Zanzibar | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: best | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Pemba | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: best | Aug: best | Sep: best | Oct: best | Nov: good | Dec: best |
| Mafia | Jan: best | Feb: best | Mar: good | Apr: quieter | May: quieter | Jun: good | Jul: good | Aug: good | Sep: good | Oct: best | Nov: best | Dec: best |
Best Good Quieter / wet / closed camps
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