Best Time to Visit Tanzania

The two seasons

Tanzania has a dry season (roughly June–October) and a green season (November–May, with long rains around March–May). The dry season is the classic safari window: wildlife concentrates around water and game viewing is at its easiest. The green season is lush, quieter and better value, with superb birding and the calving drama.

Month by month

• January–February: Calving season in the southern Serengeti — intense predator action. Good Kilimanjaro window.
• March–May: Long rains. Green, quiet, best value; some camps close.
• June: Dry season begins; the Migration moves north, Grumeti crossings.
• July–September: Peak season — Mara River crossings, superb general game viewing.
• October: Excellent game viewing; great value before the short rains.
• November–December: Short rains — brief afternoon showers, green landscapes, lower prices.

Best time for each experience

• Great Migration crossings: July–September (north).
• Calving & predators: late January–March (south).
• General Big Five game viewing: June–October.
• Kilimanjaro: January–mid-March and June–October.
• Zanzibar beaches: June–October and December–February.
• Best value & birding: November–May.

Tell us what matters most and we will compose the journey around the right season. See the Migration guide →