Best time to visit Tanzania

Visiting Tanzania in April & May

With the arrival of the wet season in Tanzania, the landscape turns lush and green. The rain usually falls in short showers, with bursts of sunshine in between. The resulting plethora of colour and light makes this the perfect time for photographers. During this ‘green season’, visitor numbers tend to be lower than usual. With fewer visitors, you may find you have some of the reserves and parks all to yourself.

During April and May, the Great Migration will leave the plains in the south and move into the central and western corridors of the Serengeti. Here they’ll find food and shelter in the shaded woodlands and areas of the Grumeti reserve. When the wildebeest and zebra attempt to cross the Grumeti river, the resident crocodiles enjoy their annual feast.

Visiting Tanzania between June & September

These are the country's coolest months, and in the aftermath of the rains the wildlife is abundant across Tanzania. Between June and August, the Great Migration will move north, eventually crossing the Serengeti’s northern border into Kenya.

September marks the start of birding season in Tanzania. With winter approaching in Europe, migratory birds begin to fly south toward the warmer climes of Sub-Saharan Africa. Some beautiful native species can also be found in the Rift Valley.

Visiting Tanzania between October & December

As autumn begins in the Northern Hemisphere, the South’s equivalent tropical spring gets underway. The days are warm and the evenings cool. From September onwards, we recommend a trek into the Mahale Mountains to see chimpanzee. With the fruit trees on the lower slopes providing an easy source of food, the chimps will be closer to the shores and easier to spot.

Short, scattered rain showers fall throughout November, helping to freshen the air and settle the dust. Even with the rain, it’s still warm enough in this tropical climate to enjoy a boat ride or an afternoon fishing on Lake Tanganyika, the deepest lake on the African continent.

If you want to escape the winter chill back home, Tanzania is an ideal beach holiday destination. Opt for the idyllic white-sand beaches of Zanzibar — the less-visited islands of Mafia and Pemba offer unspoiled shorelines and opportunities for simple relaxation.