Best time for each park
- Serengeti National ParkBest time: All year; Jan–Mar calving, Jul–Oct crossings
- Ndutu & Southern SerengetiBest time: December – March
- Ngorongoro CraterBest time: All year; June – October is driest
- Tarangire National ParkBest time: June – October
- Lake Manyara National ParkBest time: All year; birding Nov–Apr
- Arusha National ParkBest time: All year
- Lake NatronBest time: June – December
- Kilimanjaro National ParkBest time: Jan – mid-Mar, Jun – Oct
- Ruaha National ParkBest time: June – October
- Nyerere National Park (Selous)Best time: June – October
- Mahale Mountains National ParkBest time: July – October
Key facts
- Best for game viewing
- June – October, the dry season.
- Mara River crossings
- July – October in the northern Serengeti.
- Calving season
- January – February on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu.
- Quieter parks, lower rates
- The green season: March – May and November.
- Climbing Kilimanjaro
- January – mid-March and June – October.
- Zanzibar beaches
- June – October and December – February.
Month by month
- JanDryCalving season begins on the southern Serengeti plains.
- FebDryPeak calving; thousands of newborn wildebeest and busy predators.
- MarGreenLong rains begin; green landscapes and quieter parks.
- AprGreenWettest month; a good time for Zanzibar’s quiet beaches.
- MayGreenRains ease; lush scenery and the herds start moving north.
- JunDryDry season starts; excellent game viewing and Kilimanjaro climbs.
- JulDryThe herds reach the Mara River; crossings begin.
- AugDryPeak river crossings and chimpanzee trekking season.
- SepDryBig cats, crossings and great conditions everywhere.
- OctDryLast of the dry season; Tarangire’s elephants gather.
- NovGreenShort rains; migrant birds arrive and the herds head south.
- DecDryHerds return south; festive safaris and beach holidays.
Good to know
Dry season: June to October
The easiest time for game viewing across Tanzania. Grass is short, animals gather near rivers and waterholes, and days are mostly sunny and cooler, with cold early mornings in the highlands. From July the herds reach the Mara River in the northern Serengeti. This is the busiest time of year, so book lodges early.
Calving season: January to February
Between the short and long rains, the wildebeest herds gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and Ndutu to give birth. Thousands of calves are born each day at the peak, and lions, cheetahs and hyenas follow the herds.
Green season: March to May and November
The long rains fall from March to May (April is the wettest month) and the short rains in November. Landscapes turn green, the parks are quiet and many lodges lower their rates. Rain usually comes in afternoon showers, and migrant birds arrive from November.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
The main climbing seasons are January to mid-March and June to October, when the mountain is driest. In the rainy months the northern Rongai Route is a good choice because it is drier than the southern routes.
Zanzibar and the coast
Zanzibar is best from June to October and December to February. Many travellers end a northern safari with a few days on the beach.
Frequently asked questions
For classic game viewing, June to October. For the Great Migration river crossings, July to October in the northern Serengeti; for calving, January and February in the south. Every month has somewhere good to go, so tell us your dates and we will suggest the right parks.
More travel info
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