The Ultimate Guide: Best Time for a Safari in Tanzania Month-by-Month
- ima nasinda
- May 26
- 6 min read
The Ultimate Guide: Best Time for a Safari in Tanzania Month-by-Month
Planning your dream safari to Tanzania is an exhilarating experience, but one of the biggest questions that arises is: "When is the best time to go?" The answer isn't always straightforward, as Tanzania offers incredible wildlife viewing year-round, with each season presenting its own unique magic.
At Water Mark Safari, we believe in helping you craft the perfect adventure. This comprehensive guide will break down Tanzania's safari seasons month by month, helping you choose the ideal time for your unforgettable journey, whether you're chasing the Great Migration, seeking specific wildlife, or looking for a more serene experience.
Understanding Tanzania's Safari Seasons: Dry vs. Wet
Tanzania experiences two primary seasons that dictate wildlife movements and visitor experiences:
The Dry Season (June to October):
Weather: Generally sunny, dry, and cool mornings/evenings. Daytime temperatures are pleasant.
Wildlife Viewing: Excellent! Animals congregate around permanent water sources (rivers, waterholes), making them easier to spot. Vegetation is sparse, offering clearer views.
Migration: This is prime time for the dramatic Mara River crossings in the northern Serengeti (July-September).
Crowds & Price: Peak safari season, meaning higher prices and more visitors, especially in popular areas.
The Wet Season / Green Season (November to May):
Weather: Characterised by short rains (November-December) and long rains (March-May). Lush, green landscapes. Afternoon showers are common but rarely last all day.
Wildlife Viewing: Good. Excellent for birdwatching as migratory birds arrive. Calving season in the southern Serengeti (January-March) attracts predators. Animals are more dispersed.
Migration: Wildebeest are in the southern Serengeti for calving (Jan-March) and then move west.
Crowds & Price: Lower prices, fewer crowds, and stunning photographic opportunities with vibrant landscapes and dramatic skies.
Tanzania Safari Calendar: Month by Month Breakdown
Let's dive into what each month offers for your Tanzania safari:
January: The Calving Season Begins!
Weather: Warm, sunny, with occasional short rains (especially early in the month).
Great Migration: Millions of wildebeest are concentrated in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu and Salei Plains). This is the start of the calving season, with thousands of wildebeest calves born daily – a true spectacle!
Wildlife Viewing: Excellent predator action as lions, cheetahs, and hyenas target vulnerable newborns. Good for all parks.
Best For: Photography, witnessing new life, predator enthusiasts.
Consider: Can still be hot and humid.
February: The Heart of Calving
Weather: Hot and humid, but with fewer heavy rains.
Great Migration: Peak calving season in the Southern Serengeti (Ndutu). Expect intense predator-prey interactions.
Wildlife Viewing: Arguably the best month for predator sightings. Excellent birdwatching.
Best For: Unforgettable wildlife drama, incredible photographic opportunities, those interested in the circle of life.
Consider: Very popular in the south, book Ndutu camps well in advance.
March: Lush Green Landscapes & Early Migration Movement
Weather: Start of the "long rains" – more consistent rainfall, often in the afternoons. Landscapes are incredibly green and beautiful.
Great Migration: Wildebeest herds remain in the Southern Serengeti but begin to slowly disperse as they seek fresh grazing, preparing for their northward journey.
Wildlife Viewing: Excellent birdwatching, beautiful light for photography. Lower visitor numbers.
Best For: Bird enthusiasts, budget-conscious travellers, photographers seeking vibrant landscapes.
Consider: Roads can be muddy in some areas; flexibility is key.
April: The Wettest Month – A Photographer's Paradise (and great value!)
Weather: Peak of the "long rains." Expect heavier, more prolonged showers, though often not all-day downpours.
Great Migration: Herds begin to move westward from the southern plains.
Wildlife Viewing: Very few tourists, incredible birdlife, dramatic skies. Parks like Ngorongoro and Tarangire remain excellent.
Best For: Serious photographers, adventurous travellers seeking solitude and significant savings.
Consider: Some lodges may close; road conditions can be challenging; check with us for specific park accessibility.
May: The Migration's Western Advance
Weather: Rains start to subside, but landscapes remain lush. Cooler temperatures prevail.
Great Migration: Millions of wildebeest and zebras are well into their westward migration, often traversing the Western Corridor of the Serengeti, heading towards the Grumeti River.
Wildlife Viewing: Excellent for seeing the vast herds in motion. Good predator action.
Best For: Witnessing the mass movement of the migration before the river crossings.
Consider: Still considered "green season" for pricing benefits, but less rain than April.
June: The Grumeti River Challenge
Weather: Beginning of the dry season. Cooler mornings and evenings, pleasant daytime temperatures.
Great Migration: Herds congregate around the Grumeti River in the Western Serengeti, with some earlier crossings taking place.
Wildlife Viewing: High concentrations of animals in the west. Excellent general game viewing in other parks.
Best For: Experiencing the start of river crossings (though less dramatic than Mara), seeing vast herds.
Consider: Early booking for camps in the Western Serengeti is advised.
July: The Northern Trek & Mara River Crossings Begin!
Weather: Dry, sunny, and increasingly cool. Peak dry season.
Great Migration: The main event! Herds push north towards the Mara River in the Northern Serengeti, with the first dramatic river crossings usually beginning this month.
Wildlife Viewing: Unparalleled opportunities to witness predator-prey drama at the river. Excellent general game viewing across all parks as water sources shrink.
Best For: Witnessing the famous Mara River crossings, classic "safari" weather.
Consider: Peak season means higher prices and very high demand for camps in the north. Book a year in advance!
August: Peak Mara River Crossings
Weather: Dry and sunny. Consistent cool temperatures.
Great Migration: Peak Mara River crossings continue in the Northern Serengeti, often considered the most thrilling time to witness the migration. Herds move between Tanzania and Kenya's Masai Mara.
Wildlife Viewing: Exceptional. High density of predators drawn to the migrating herds.
Best For: Guaranteed river crossing action (though nature is unpredictable), classic safari experience.
Consider: Extremely high demand and prices. Camps along the Mara River are booked out months, sometimes a year, in advance.
September: Continued Mara Crossings & Return Journeys
Weather: Dry and warm, with pleasant daytime temperatures.
Great Migration: Crossings of the Mara River continue, though the main bulk of the herds may be in Kenya. Some herds begin to make their way back into Tanzania.
Wildlife Viewing: Still excellent general game viewing, good predator action.
Best For: Mara River crossings (though slightly less intense than August), good weather.
Consider: High season prices still apply.
October: Southward Bound
Weather: Increasingly warm, with the occasional build-up of clouds and possibility of "short rains" starting late in the month.
Great Migration: Herds are making their steady journey southward from the Masai Mara, spreading out across the northern and central Serengeti.
Wildlife Viewing: Excellent general game viewing as animals start to move from dry areas. Good for seeing large herds before they concentrate again.
Best For: Good weather and slightly lower prices than peak season, witnessing the mass movement back south.
Consider: Can be dusty as the dry season culminates.
November: Short Rains & Beautiful Skies
Weather: The "short rains" typically begin, bringing refreshing afternoon showers and transforming the landscape into lush green.
Great Migration: Herds are typically moving through the eastern Serengeti, heading towards the southern plains in preparation for calving season.
Wildlife Viewing: Fantastic for birdwatching as migratory birds arrive. Animals are more dispersed.
Best For: Photographers seeking dramatic skies and vibrant landscapes, bird enthusiasts, travelers seeking better value.
Consider: Rains are generally not continuous, but can impact road conditions.
December: Festive Season & Lush Landscapes
Weather: Continues the "short rains" period, often with sunny intervals. Warm temperatures.
Great Migration: Herds are spread across the eastern and southern Serengeti, grazing on the fresh grasses, settling in for the impending calving season.
Wildlife Viewing: Excellent for general game viewing, great for birding. Festive atmosphere in camps and lodges.
Best For: Christmas/New Year holidays, vibrant landscapes, good for families.
Consider: Peak prices around Christmas and New Year; book well in advance.
Beyond the Migration: Other Parks, Other Times
While the Great Migration is a phenomenon, Tanzania offers incredible wildlife viewing year-round in its other magnificent national parks:
Ngorongoro Crater: Excellent year-round. The crater floor acts as a natural enclosure, ensuring high concentrations of animals, including the Big Five, at any time of year.
Tarangire National Park: Exceptional during the dry season (June-October) for massive elephant herds and high concentrations of other animals around the Tarangire River. Still good in the wet season for birds.
Lake Manyara National Park: Good year-round for its diverse habitats, tree-climbing lions (seasonal), and flamingoes.
Southern & Western Circuit Parks (Ruaha, Selous, Katavi): Best visited during the dry season (June-October) when wildlife concentrates around water sources. These offer a more remote, off-the-beaten-path experience.
Tailoring Your Perfect Tanzania Safari with Water Mark Safari
Choosing the "best" time for your safari ultimately depends on your priorities:
Witnessing the Great Migration: July-September (Mara River crossings) or January-March (calving season in the South).
Budget-Friendly Options: April, May, and November offer significant savings and unique experiences.
Birdwatching: The Green Season (November-May) is prime.
Photographic Opportunities: Any time can be amazing, but the Green Season offers dramatic light and lush backdrops.
Less Crowds: April, May, November.
At Water Mark Safari, we specialise in crafting personalised itineraries that perfectly align with your interests, budget, and the time of year you wish to travel. Our expert guides live and breathe the Tanzanian wilderness and have real-time knowledge of wildlife movements.
Ready to start planning your dream Tanzania safari?
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