Tanzania
The best time to visit
When to go to Tanzania
Go 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 links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jul.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Rainy season.
In short
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.
Month by month
Tanzania month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Dar es Salaam.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 70 mm | Ideal 88 | Hot with a little rain. |
| February | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 55 mm | Ideal 89 | Hot with a little rain. |
| March | 31°C / 88°F | 23°C / 73°F | 135 mm | Great 62 | Hot and wet. |
| April | 30°C / 86°F | 23°C / 73°F | 290 mm | Fair 37 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| May | 29°C / 84°F | 22°C / 72°F | 190 mm | Good 52 | Hot and wet. |
| June | 29°C / 84°F | 20°C / 68°F | 40 mm | Ideal 97 | Hot and dry. Dar es Salaam hotels in June |
| July | 28°C / 82°F | 19°C / 66°F | 30 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Dar es Salaam hotels in July |
| August | 28°C / 82°F | 19°C / 66°F | 25 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Dar es Salaam hotels in August |
| September | 29°C / 84°F | 19°C / 66°F | 30 mm | Ideal 97 | Hot and dry. |
| October | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 70 mm | Ideal 88 | Hot with a little rain. |
| November | 31°C / 88°F | 23°C / 73°F | 125 mm | Great 66 | Hot and wet. |
| December | 31°C / 88°F | 24°C / 75°F | 115 mm | Great 70 | Hot with a little rain. |
By region
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.
Go for
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.
On the calendar
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.
Rainy season
Mar to May.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Tanzania
Compare hotels and rentals around Dar es Salaam, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
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Questions
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Tanzania?
When is the best time for Zanzibar?
When can you climb Kilimanjaro?
Where else, and when
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