Best time to visit Tanzania
Best time to visit Tanzania : Tanzania is a breathtaking safari destination which can be visited throughout the year but the best time to visit this amazing destination depends on the safari activity you want to do in Tanzania. Tanzania’s wildlife and its wildlife is dictated by the rains.
The great wildebeest migration which the highlight of Tanzania tourism, this safari experience is experienced between July to September as the animals move from Serengeti national park to Maasai Mara national reserve and back and because the migration a huge population of travelers visit Tanzania.
Tanzania experiences two seasons that are wet season and dry season, dry season is experienced from June – October and wet season is experienced from November – May.
The best time to visit Tanzania is as detailed below by months
January
In January rainfall is received with temperatures rising higher and the humidity is building, January is a best time to visit Tanzania as it is a low season, the rates are lower and the safari is excellent. In this period of the year, the migrating herds taking part in the Great wildebeest migration are in the southeast region of Serengeti and it is a calving season for the herds. These animals can be seen in large numbers in the Ndutu plains.
February
In February, the great wildebeest migration is still occurring in the Ndutu plains of Serengeti national park and they can easily be seen. The month of February is characterized of hot and humid conditions with chances of rain.
March
In March, the migrating herds are beginning to leave the Ndutu plains on way their way heading towards Grumeti. February is a low season and before the rains start pouring, humidity is building. March is a great time to visit Tanzania because of the great rates on accommodation.
April – May
April – May is a rainy season and heavy rain is received, this period is not a good time to visit Tanzania and travelers are advised against traveling to Tanzania in these months. And this is because the heavy rains make the routes impassable.
June
June is typically a green season in Tanzania with lush grass and bush which makes spotting of game more difficult, regardless of the fact that this month is not the best for game viewing, it is a best month for birders as various Tanzania national parks are filled with migratory bird species.
In June, the migrating herds taking part in the Great wildebeest migration are in the Grumeti area of Serengeti national park heading north.
July
July is a month when the peak season starts in Tanzania, in this month the great wildebeest migration is happening in the north region of Serengeti national park moving towards Kenya. The elephants also start to gather in Tarangire national park. In July the land is getting drier with vegetation cover becoming thinner making game viewing easier.
Temperatures experienced in July are high ranging from 20°C to 30°C and the humidity is low.
August
August is also a peak season in Tanzania and the great wildebeest migration and its herds are still in the north region of Serengeti national park, in this month the land becomes more perched and the animal’s behavior is more predictable. The bush in most Tanzania national parks such as Ruaha national park is drying out making game spotting easier.
September
September is still a peak season in Tanzania and in this month, the end of the migration still in the northern region of Serengeti national park with the migrating herds on the both sides of the borders of Tanzania and Kenya (in Serengeti national park and Maasai Mara national park).
In September, the Tanzania northern safari circuit is very busy as opposed to the south safari circuit meaning for travelers who are not fun of crowded areas, Southern safari circuit is the best circuit to visit in Tanzania in this month.
October
October is a peak season in Tanzania and in this month the great wildebeest migration and the migrating herds are in Kenya, in this period game viewing is good in the central Serengeti and the southern national parks of Tanzania.
November
In November, short rains are received most especially overnight but still there is a risk of rain during day, in this season there are low season rates. In this period, the great wildebeest migration is starting to into Serengeti national park from Kenya and the crossing can be seen in the north of Serengeti.
December
In December rain is expected generally overnight and the temperatures and humid are starting to build up, December is a festival season for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations meaning many tourists come to Tanzania. Safari is good in December as the migrating herds are in the north of Serengeti national park moving north travelling south to Ndutu plains.
Note: prior booking is required if you are planning to visit Tanzania in December
In conclusion, the best time to visit in Tanzania is from July to October, in this period the dry season is experienced and this period with the river crossing stage of the great wildebeest migration. In this period game viewing is at its best as the bush and grass cover is thinner.
