Best Time to Visit
Tanzania for Safari

The best time to visit the Serengeti depends on what you hope to experience. While it’s a truly year-round safari destination, the landscape and wildlife dynamics shift with the seasons. From January to March, the southern plains are teeming with new life during the wildebeest calving season, drawing predators and offering unforgettable sightings.

The dry season from June to October is ideal for classic big game viewing, with wildlife gathering around water sources. During July to October, the action moves north as the herds cross the Mara River – one of nature’s most dramatic spectacles. In November, the short rains return, bringing spectacular skies of thunder and lightning that set a striking backdrop for photography, while the Great Migration begins its journey south and migratory birds arrive, marking the start of excellent birding months.

By December, the wildebeest and zebra herds return to the lush southern Serengeti, feasting on fresh grass. Christmas and the festive season are a particularly special time to visit, with warm days, clear skies, and exceptional wildlife encounters.

The Serengeti is also a wonderful choice for families, with key school holiday periods – including February half-term, spring break, Easter, the summer holidays, and the October break – aligning beautifully with some of the year’s most rewarding safari moments.

The Great Migration is cyclical, with herds gathering in the south of the Serengeti in January and February for calving before moving north over the months to beyond the border with Kenya by August. From then until the end of the year, the herds track south through the eastern part of the region to return to their starting point for January again. Along the way, there are plains and rivers to cross, each with their own character. We can arrange for you to follow the migration by staying in a mobile camp or offer the alternative of a luxury lodge perfectly located for a river crossing. March to September see herds crossing the major rivers of the Serengeti, with the Grumeti River being reached in March and the Mara River in August and September.

One answer to that is to say that Zanzibar is the perfect way to end any safari, so the best time to relax on a beach will depend on your wildlife priorities. The Tanzanian coast experiences rainy periods from March to May, and from November to December, so if you want guaranteed sun, then we suggest June to October and January to February. The waters in Zanzibar are particularly clear in January and February.

With nearly 900 miles of Indian Ocean coastline, there are plenty of places to enjoy beaches in Tanzania. Zanzibar itself is more than just one island; it’s an archipelago which, alongside the main islands, comprises dozens of smaller islets and private island retreats such as Mnemba, Fanjove and Thanda. On Pemba, you’ll find the laid-back charm of Fundu Lagoon, and just a short boat ride away lies Jambangome, the island’s ancient capital.

Even on the main island of Unguja (commonly known as Zanzibar), there are beaches with different characters. For example, Kendwa isn’t tidal, so you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling all day. While many travellers combine Zanzibar with a safari, it also stands beautifully on its own as a luxury beach destination.

We recommend visiting between June and October, or during the shorter dry season in January and February, when the weather is warm, dry, and the sea is wonderfully calm.

It’s a great idea to combine these neighbouring and friendly countries, so consider a multi-centre trip that takes in both. Sharing a similar climate, the best time to see them is in the dry season of June to October, with January to February also being an option (with fewer visitors). Indeed, we often cater to people wanting to visit Kenya’s Masai Mara and the Serengeti of Tanzania so that they can get an unsurpassed experience of the Great Migration. A safari in Kenya followed by an ascent of Kilimanjaro is also popular, and good months for this are September and October.

While some wildlife migrates in and out of the crater, the majority remains year-round, making Ngorongoro Crater a consistently rewarding safari destination in any season. Its reliability makes it an excellent location to pair with other, more seasonally dependent areas. The dry season from May to October is the most popular time to visit, with clear skies and superb wildlife viewing. However, the short rains from November to February have little impact on game viewing, and this period also brings lush landscapes and fewer crowds – a wonderful time to explore.

The Green Season in Tanzania typically runs from November to May, with two distinct rainy periods: the short rains from late October to early December, and the long rains from March to May. During this time, the landscapes are lush and vibrant, migratory birds arrive in their thousands, and wildlife viewing remains excellent—particularly in the southern and central Serengeti, where the Great Migration gathers between January and March for the calving season.

This is also a quieter time for travel, with fewer visitors and excellent value at many camps and lodges. If you're a keen photographer, birder, or simply prefer a more peaceful safari experience surrounded by dramatic skies and green plains, the Green Season can be a wonderfully rewarding time to visit.

There’s no truly bad time to visit Tanzania, but certain seasons may suit some travellers better than others. The long rains, typically from March to May, bring heavier showers, particularly in the afternoons. In some regions—like Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks—this can mean wet, muddy conditions and seasonal camp closures, so March and April are often best avoided there. That said, destinations like the Ngorongoro Crater remain excellent year-round.

What some consider the “off-season” is actually a hidden gem for others. During the Green Season, birdwatchers and photographers revel in the vivid landscapes, dramatic skies, and the arrival of migratory species. You’ll also find fewer visitors, greater privacy, and excellent value at many of Tanzania’s finest lodges and camps.

The best thing to do is speak with one of our Journeysmiths. We’ll tailor a journey that fits your travel window—ensuring the best possible experiences, wherever and whenever you go.