Best time to visit Tanzania

Best Time to Visit Tanzania for Safari

Tanzania is a year-round safari destination, with each month offering different wildlife, landscapes and travel experiences. The dry season from June to October is generally popular for wildlife viewing because animals are easier to spot around water sources, while January and February are particularly interesting in the Serengeti because of the calving season. The green season also offers beautiful scenery, fewer visitors and excellent opportunities for photography and birdwatching.

January – Excellent for Calving Season

January is a great month for a Tanzania safari, especially in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area. The landscape is green after the short rains, and the area becomes an important location for the wildebeest calving season. Visitors can also explore Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ndutu and Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park

February – Wildlife and Calving Season

February is one of the most exciting months for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly around the Serengeti and Ndutu ecosystem. Large numbers of wildebeest gather during the calving period, while predators are active in the surrounding plains. The green landscapes also create excellent photographic scenery.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ndutu
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park

March – Green Season Safari

March offers lush landscapes, green plains and good wildlife viewing across northern Tanzania. There can be periods of rain, but safari experiences remain rewarding. This period is also attractive for travellers interested in photography, birdwatching and fewer crowds.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Arusha National Park

April – Green Landscapes and Fewer Crowds

April is generally part of the long-rain season. Some roads can become wetter and travel conditions may require careful planning, but Tanzania’s landscapes are particularly green and beautiful. This can be a quieter period for travellers looking for fewer visitors.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Lake Manyara National Park
Arusha National Park
Tarangire National Park

May – Transition Towards the Dry Season

May marks the transition towards the drier months. The landscapes remain green, while rainfall generally begins to decrease towards the end of the month. It can be a good period for travellers looking for a balance between scenery, wildlife and quieter safari conditions.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Nyerere National Park

June – Beginning of the Peak Safari Season

June is the beginning of one of the most popular safari periods in Tanzania. The weather becomes drier, wildlife viewing improves and the Serengeti becomes increasingly attractive as the Great Migration moves through different parts of the ecosystem. Northern Tanzania is particularly suitable for classic safari itineraries.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Nyerere National Park

July – Excellent for Wildlife Viewing

July is one of the busiest safari months because of the dry weather and excellent wildlife viewing conditions. The Great Migration is moving through the Serengeti ecosystem, although the exact location of the herds changes from year to year. Tarangire also becomes increasingly attractive as wildlife gathers around available water sources.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Nyerere National Park
Ruaha National Park

August – Peak Safari Season

August offers dry conditions and strong opportunities for wildlife viewing. The Serengeti remains a major destination for visitors following the Great Migration, while northern and southern Tanzania provide excellent safari options. Ruaha and Nyerere are particularly suitable for travellers interested in the southern safari circuit.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Ruaha National Park
Nyerere National Park

September – Excellent Wildlife and Photography

September continues the dry season and is a strong month for safari adventures. Wildlife is often easier to locate around water sources, while the Serengeti remains a major destination for migration viewing. The drier landscapes can also provide excellent conditions for wildlife photography.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Ruaha National Park
Nyerere National Park

October – Dry Season and Great Safari Conditions

October is generally warm and dry, making it a good month for exploring Tanzania’s national parks. Wildlife viewing remains strong, particularly in areas where animals concentrate around water. It is also a good time to combine a safari with Kilimanjaro trekking or a Zanzibar beach holiday.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Ruaha National Park
Nyerere National Park
Zanzibar

November – Short Rains and Green Landscapes

November usually brings the short rains, which help transform the landscapes into greener scenery. Rainfall does not necessarily prevent safari activities, and travellers can enjoy fewer crowds compared with the peak dry-season months. Birdwatching can also be rewarding during this period.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Nyerere National Park

December – Festive Season Safari

December is a popular month for holidays and family travel. The landscapes become greener after the short rains, while northern Tanzania continues to offer excellent safari opportunities. Travellers can combine wildlife experiences with Zanzibar’s beaches for a safari and beach holiday.

Best places to visit:

Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park
Zanzibar

Tanzania Safari by Season

Dry Season: June to October is generally preferred for classic wildlife viewing, with dry conditions and easier opportunities to spot animals.

Calving and Green Season: January to March offers green landscapes and particularly interesting wildlife activity around the Serengeti and Ndutu area.

Long Rains: April and May bring wetter conditions, greener scenery and generally quieter safari experiences.

Short Rains: November and December bring seasonal rainfall and fresh green landscapes, while safari activities continue across many destinations.

What Is the Best Month for a Tanzania Safari?

There is no single best month for every type of safari. June to October is generally suitable for travellers prioritising dry weather and wildlife viewing, while January and February are particularly attractive for the Serengeti calving season. Travellers interested in greener landscapes, photography, birdwatching and fewer crowds may also consider the wetter months.

The location of wildlife and the Great Migration changes throughout the year, so the best time to visit Tanzania ultimately depends on the destinations and experiences you want to include in your safari itinerary.

vasileios kagias

Glad we made the right choice! Everything was perfectly organized and the communication was great. Before, but also through out our trip. Our guide to Ngorongoro and Tarangire was excellent. I totally recommend it!

Dani Palacios

he safari was absolutely incredible, and Joseph and his team made all the difference. Their experience and knowledge made it possible for us to see so many animals, including lionesses. We also had some truly magical moments, such as having a picnic in a beautiful valley surrounded by giraffes, baboons, zebras and elephants. But what I value most about the whole trip was Joseph’s incredible kindness and attention to every detail. He treated us like members of his own family and made us experience these safari days in a truly authentic way. I highly, highly recommend booking your safari with Joseph and his team. A safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and thanks to them, it was truly unforgettable for all of us. I sincerely hope we’ll have the chance to travel with them again in the future!

Bre Ibe

It was a fun and great experience with my family! The car was very comfortable for the six of us! I would 100% definitely come back again!

Sams3

❤️ Some journeys stay in your heart forever, and this was one of them. Thank you, Zanzibar2SafarisExpedition, for giving us memories that will last a lifetime. Watching elephants roam freely, hearing lions in the distance, witnessing breathtaking sunsets over the savannah, and experiencing Tanzania's incredible wildlife was simply magical. What made this trip truly special wasn't just the beautiful landscapes—it was the kindness, passion, and professionalism of the team. Every detail was thoughtfully planned by Joseph, and we felt welcomed, safe, and cared for from beginning to end. This wasn't just a safari; it was an unforgettable adventure filled with wonder, laughter, and moments we'll cherish forever. If you're dreaming of Africa, I wholeheartedly recommend Zanzibar2SafarisExpedition. They don't just organise safaris—they create experiences that touch your soul. "Asante sana" for making our dream come true. We can't wait to come back!

Vipinkumar Ramakrishnan

Here's a Google-friendly review that's natural, detailed, and personal: **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐** We had an amazing experience on our safari to **Selous Game Reserve** with **Zanzibar 2 Safaris Expedition**. From the moment we booked, everything was organized professionally and ran smoothly, making the entire trip stress-free. We stayed at **Selous Kinga Lodge**, which was a wonderful place to relax after our game drives. The lodge was comfortable, the staff were friendly and welcoming, and the setting was beautiful. A special thank you to **Joseph**, who went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. He was always quick to respond, answered all our questions, and made sure every detail was taken care of. His professionalism and genuine care made a big difference to our experience. The safari itself was incredible. Our guide was knowledgeable and helped us spot a wide variety of wildlife while sharing interesting facts about the animals and the reserve. Selous is a stunning destination with fewer crowds, making it feel like a truly authentic safari experience. We highly recommend Zanzibar 2 Safaris Expedition to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania. Thank you, Joseph, for making this such a memorable trip—we'll definitely be recommending your company to friends and family!

Naveeta Moorthy

We did our Arusha trip with them. Right from picking us up at the airport to drop offs and 2 days Safari to Tarangire and Ngorongoro, their service was impeccable. Punctual, clean, friendly, polite, knowledgeable, not at all pushy. Our Safari guide Mishalu was the kindest, politest, friendly and nicest person. Their Safari jeep was comfortable. They went out of the way to make us (we two and our 12 year old kids) comfortable, fulfilled all our requests for stops, helped with esim, currency exchange, everything. I would definitely recommend Joseph, Emmanuel and Mishalu from Zanzibar 2 Safaris Expedition for Tanzania trip. We will definitely do our Serengeti trip only with them. They were the most reasonable in terms of pricing too. They made our family trip memorablr.

Darren Beech

Had the best 2 day safari ever with these. Nothing was too much trouble and they went above and beyond. Will be booking with Zanzibar 2 Safari Expeditions again in 2028.

Fl Fr

Sehr sehr netter Tourguide , es wurden keine Wünsche offen gelassen

Christina Plöchl

Our four day safari in Tanzania was so much more than just a trip through beautiful landscapes. It was an intense, educational and incredibly warm experience. From the very beginning Joseph impressed us with his incredible knowledge about wildlife and plants. It often felt like being part of a live nature documentary. What we liked most was that he showed us many small details in nature that we would never have noticed on our own. Through his explanations we were able to see everything with completely new eyes. This safari truly went beyond the usual experience. Joseph was not only focused on guiding us, he was also interested in us and our lives. He asked about how we live, how we think and what our perspectives are. This created meaningful conversations and a genuine exchange. It did not feel like a tour with a guide, but more like traveling with a friend. This personal and friendly atmosphere made the whole experience even more special. We had so much fun and laughed a lot. Joseph explained everything clearly, with great humor and passion. At the same time everything was perfectly organized. We started early in the morning for our game drives and still had plenty of time in the afternoon to relax at the pool of our accommodation. For us it was the perfect balance of activity, learning, discovery and relaxation. This safari was not just an adventure, but a deeply enriching experience on both a human and cultural level. We would travel with Joseph again anytime and can wholeheartedly recommend this experience. ASANTE SANA Joseph :)