available in Weather and Climate
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Tanzania is a top African safari destination, home to diverse species of animals, birds and plants. Herds of elephants, flocks of flamingos, prides of lions and endangered groups of black rhino, run wild in the numerous national parks of Tanzania. To crown an already impressive set of safari credentials the great wildebeest migration begins in the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania when the heavy Tanzania rainfall during April forces herds of animals to start their journey northwards in search of food.
Tanzania’s location between the Equator and Capricorn means it experiences tropical weather while its vast size means that the weather can vary quite a bit, depending on where you are. Tanzania’s climate zones range from the Indian Ocean coast (hot and humid) to the plains of the Selous and the Serengeti, into the highlands (cool and temperate) and up to the top of the highest mountain in Africa – snow-capped Kilimanjaro.
Like most African countries, Tanzania has two rainy seasons. The long rains are from March to May and the short rains from November and December. The year starts with a hot, dry season in January and February, followed directly by the long rains from March to May. The Tanzania rainy seasons can make travel impossible as many of the roads in the national parks become unusable. Once the rains subside, Tanzania welcomes the cold, dry season from June to October. The majority of the tourists visit the country during this season when parks are accessible, the game is abundant and the temperature is more manageable.
Tanzania Weather Conditions
The following table shows the various seasons in Tanzania and the description of the weather changes by month. It also shows the average temperatures each month in the Serengeti National Park, the most visited national park in Tanzania.
| Months | Seasons in Tanzania | Tanzania Weather Conditions | Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Temperatures By Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Hot and Dry Season | One of the warmest months of the year, January sees 10 hours of sunlight on an average day. The rare time when it rains, the weather is slightly humid. | High Temp: 28°C/82.4°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
| February | Hot and Dry Season | The hot early February marks the peak time for the wildebeest calving season. It is also an ideal month to view birds and other wildlife in Tanzania. | High Temp: 28°C/82.4°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
| March | Hot and Dry Season | The rains start during the early March, bringing high humidity with it. | High Temp: 28°C/82.4°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
| April | Long Rains | April sees heavy rainfall, a dangerous time for tourism, but it is a prime time to view the start of the wildebeest migration from the Serengeti plains. | High Temp: 26°C/78.8°F Low Temp: 16°C/60.8°F |
| May | Long Rains | The torrential rainfall lasts until the end of May. | High Temp: 25°C/77°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
| June | Long Rains | The rain gradually recedes. By late June, it’s time for the dry season and a decrease in the humidity levels. | High Temp: 25°C/77°F Low Temp: 13°C/55.4°F |
| July | Long Rains | The days during the dry seasons are sunny, the mornings and the nights see a drop in temperatures. | High Temp: 25°C/77°F Low Temp: 13°C/55.4°F |
| August | Cool And Dry Season | August is one of the dry months. It brings a lot of tourists to Tanzania. | High Temp: 26°C/78.8°F Low Temp: 14°C/57.2°F |
| September | Cool And Dry Season | The clear skies and decreasing vegetation let the tourist view the river crossings during the wildebeest migrations in August and September. | High Temp: 27°C/80.6°F Low Temp: 14°C/57.2°F |
| October | Cool And Dry Season | The favourable sunny weather with clear skies perseveres in October. | High Temp: 28°C/82.4°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
| November | Short Rains | We see scarce and unpredictable rainfall, hence short rains. | High Temp: 27°C/80.6°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
| December | Short Rains | The ‘short rains’ season in some areas of Tanzania is even hotter than the hot and dry months. | High Temp: 27°C/80.6°F Low Temp: 15°C/59°F |
*Serengeti National Park, Tanzania Temperature Source: Weather-Atlas.com
Highlights To Visit During The Dry Seasons
- Arusha National Park
- Lake Manyara National Park
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Serengeti Plains
- Serengeti National Park
- Tanzania Adventure Safaris
- Tarangire National Park
Tanzania Safaris
4-Day Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Tarangire National Parks Safari
- 4 Days
Travel around in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop up roof for the best game viewing experience in Tanzania's...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:4 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Arusha or Mwanza
8-Day Kilimanjaro Northern Circuit Route
- 9 Days
This route to the summit of Kilimanjaro takes you on a stunning journey, exploring the mountain in detail...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:9 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Moshi Town, Kilimanjaro
3-Day Selous/Nyerere National Park Safari
- 3 Days
Tanzania's hidden gem in the south, Selous Game Reserve, is the largest protected game reserve on the...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Dar es Salaam, end in Dar es Salaam
5 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Via Marangu Route
- 5 Days
Marangu Route, commonly known as the 'Coca Cola' route is more popular because it can be done in fewer...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:5 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Moshi, end in Moshi
8 Days Lemosho Route Kilimanjaro Climb
- 8 Days
The Lemosho route is one of our preferred routes due to its low traffic, beautiful scenery and a high...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:8 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Moshi-Kilimanjaro, end in Moshi-Kilimanjaro
5 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking Marangu Route
- 5 Days
Marangu Route is also known as the “Coca Cola” or “tourist” route. It is the easiest and shortest...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:5 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Arusha, end in Arusha
Migration Safari to Ndutu
- 8 Days
If you are looking for open expanses together with a plethora of wildlife then this is a safari for you....
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Array
-
Length:8 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Kilimanjaro
5-Day Adrenalin Tanzania Safari
- 5 Days
Combine Tanzania's wildlife and culture on this safari. Experience the excitement of an African wildlife...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:5 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Moshi or Arusha
3 Days Lodge Safari Tanzania
- 3 Days
Tanzania's northern safari circuit is renowned for offering some of the finest wildlife viewing safaris...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:3 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Moshi, end in Moshi
4-Day Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Lodge Safari
- 4 Days
Tarangire National Park offers the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s remarkable bird life, Serengeti...
-
Country:Tanzania,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:4 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Arusha