gowhereandwhen.comGo in the dry season, June to October, for the best safari and Serengeti game viewing. The wildebeest calving is January to February, and Zanzibar is best June to October and December to February. The long rains fall March to May.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Dar es Salaam. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jul.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Rainy season.
The year at a glance
Tanzania is one of Africa's great safari destinations, plus the spice island of Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam, on the coast, anchors the ratings. The dry season from June to October is the prime time, when wildlife gathers at the water and the Serengeti and Ngorongoro are at their best.
The Great Migration moves through the Serengeti year round, with the dramatic calving season on the southern plains in January and February. The long rains fall March to May, the wettest, quietest stretch, while Zanzibar's beaches are best in the dry midyear and the short dry season around December to February.
Tanzania month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Dar es Salaam.
JanuaryHot with a little rain.Ideal 88
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 70 mm
Hot with a little rain.
FebruaryHot with a little rain.Ideal 89
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 55 mm
Hot with a little rain.
MarchHot and wet.Great 62
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 135 mm
Hot and wet.
AprilHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 37
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 290 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
MayHot and wet.Good 52
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 190 mm
Hot and wet.
JuneHot and dryIdeal 97
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 20°C / 68°F
- Rainfall
- 40 mm
Hot and dry.
JulyWarm and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rainfall
- 30 mm
Warm and dry.
AugustWarm and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rainfall
- 25 mm
Warm and dry.
SeptemberHot and dry.Ideal 97
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rainfall
- 30 mm
Hot and dry.
OctoberHot with a little rain.Ideal 88
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 21°C / 70°F
- Rainfall
- 70 mm
Hot with a little rain.
NovemberHot and wet.Great 66
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 125 mm
Hot and wet.
DecemberHot with a little rain.Great 70
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 24°C / 75°F
- Rainfall
- 115 mm
Hot with a little rain.
Where you go changes when you go
The Serengeti and northern parks
Best in the dry season, June to October, for game viewing, with calving on the southern plains in January and February.
Zanzibar and the coast
Tropical beaches best from June to October and December to February, with rains in April and May.
Kilimanjaro
Best climbed in the dry windows of January to mid March and June to October, for the clearest, safest conditions.
Best time to visit Tanzania for
Safari and the Serengeti
June to October for the dry-season game viewing, with river crossings in the north around August and September.
Wildebeest calving
January and February on the southern Serengeti plains, when hundreds of thousands of calves are born.
Zanzibar beaches
June to October and December to February for sunny, dry days on the spice island.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
The dry windows of January to mid March and June to October for the clearest, safest ascents.
What is on, and when
Dry-season safari, Jun to Oct
Wildlife gathers at the water across the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Zanzibar season, midyear
The spice island's beaches are at their sunniest and driest.
Watch out
Rainy season
Mar to May.
Where to stay in Tanzania
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit Tanzania?
When is the best time for Zanzibar?
When can you climb Kilimanjaro?
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