Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons: the short dry season runs from late January to early March, and the long dry season from June to October. In between are the short rains of November to January and long rains from late March to May with April being an extremely wet and challenging month to get around.

The country’s parks and attractions are at their busiest during the long dry season months of June to September with July and August (European and American summer holidays) being the most hectic. The shoulder season months of May and October/November, as well as the short dry season in February and early March, offer exciting alternatives and are recommended times to explore Tanzania.

Many visitors to Tanzania want to coincide their visit with seeing the migration, but it is worth noting that you can view the migration during any month of the year – you just need to travel to the appropriate area within the greater Serengeti ecosystem to find the wildebeest herds.

January marks the end of the short rains and tends to be quite green and wet. The lush, green vegetation looks fantastic at this time of year with migrant birds bolstering resident populations. January is a good month for ornithologists, as well as those safari goers who place scenery and solitude over wildlife abundance and safari companionship. For the migration, head to the southern plains of the Serengeti to coincide with the wildebeest calving season.

The rains depends on your chosen location in Tanzania, while the northern parks are more likely to see dry spells, while the western parks remain rather wet throughout.

February is definitely the best time of year to see wildebeest calves, with the migratory herds in full calving season. This usually happens in Ndutu in the southern part of the Serengeti where millions of wildebeest congregate to feed on the grasses and give birth to their calves. Around 500,000 wildebeest calves are born over a short period. This makes for a great sight on safari, perhaps glimpsing their first teetering steps in their new habitat.

With the advent of the calves, the predators would be lurking in the nearby thrush for the next opportunity.

While rainfall can be difficult to predict from year-to-year, February is typically a great month to visit Tanzania, as it coincides with the short dry season. Getting around the country and its protected areas is easier during the drier months and there is still good colour in the bush. Both birding and wildlife viewing tend to be excellent during this month.

The Ngorongoro Highlands receive short and sharp rainfall in the late afternoon, leaving the mornings pleasant and generally dry for excellent game viewing.

Early March tends to be dry, although in some years the rains have been known to return early, so it can be wet. That said, seeing the bush turn from a tawny brown to green is a mesmerising sight in its own right. Also, with this being the start of the main rainy season it is unlikely that you would encounter enough rain to ruin your safari experience or to limit your mobility within the country to see and explore all the varied attractions.

March (along with September/October) are considered the prime months for those wishing to tackle Kilimanjaro. During unforseen rainy seasons, some roads may become inaccessible, so it’s best to chat to one of our Tanzanian travel consultants to get real-time information regarding the weather patterns.

If there is one month that is probably worth avoiding for a visit to Tanzania, then that would have to be the rain-soaked month of April. This is by far the wettest month of the year, as it falls in the midst of the long/heavy rains. While the rains predominantly come in the form of afternoon thunderstorms, it is not unusual to have big storms at night as well as some grey, drizzly days.

Western and Southern parks have the highest humidity during the rainy season so they can become uncomfortable, although the chances of these hotels and lodges offering good discounts due to the unfavourable climate, is very good. Accommodation such as the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is also almost half price during this season so you can great value for money if you choose to travel at this time.

In good rainfall years, you should expect many minor roads to become impassable, river crossings to be submerged and even bridges to wash away. Only the most hardened and experienced 4x4 drivers should attempt to tackle the muddy and rutted roads that predominate throughout the wilder areas of Tanzania during April.

Early May is usually still very wet but, as the month progresses, things start to dry out and road repairs get underway, making moving around the parks and country by vehicle easier over time. The bush and vegetation look fantastic after all the rain with most herbivores in fine condition thanks to the abundant food and water that’s widely available.

The eastern region of Tanzania remains rather budget-friendly before the start of the main dry season. If you are fortunate you will enjoy a few consecutive days of sunshine, but with nature nothing is guaranteed.

At this time of year, long columns of wildebeest vacate the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti and start to trek north and into the western corridor. The latter part of May is a great time to be in Tanzania: the emerald season is giving way to the early dry season, wildebeest are on the move, the tourist hordes are yet to arrive, and everywhere the bush looks lush and colourful. May is consequently a great month for photographers.

June is dry and busy. Peak season is underway and areas like the western Serengeti are extremely popular at this time of year with the wildebeest piling into the western corridor in their hundreds of thousands. With the rains properly finished, the savannahs are already starting to change from green to yellow and wildlife sightings are constantly improving as the vegetation slowly recedes.

The wildebeest herds stop at Grumeti River to build up numbers before they attempt the river crossing in their thousands. Many traverse the river successfully because of safety in numbers. If however you’re in the right place at the right time you may spot a crocodile attempting to take down a wildebeest.

June is possibly the best time of the year to visit the Serengeti because of the amazing wildlife viewing - with the best sights to be seen in the northernmost parts.

The safari season is in full swing and Tanzania is dry with a good chance of roads kicking up dust clouds when driving through the plains. Tanzania is busy during July, expect to find all the parks and prime attractions of the northern circuit to be crowded during the months of July and August. If you are planning a sojourn to Zanzibar, then it is also worth exploring options for other less frequented Indian Ocean islands, such as Pemba and Mafia islands, at this time of year.

Wildlife viewing is excellent in July and is well worth putting up with the crowds if you’re comfortable doing so. It is also worth remembering that the southern safari circuit is a viable and recommended alternative that would give you the best of both worlds: less visitors and good wildlife sightings.

August is still very much peak season with large numbers of visitors from America and Europe dominating the northern safari circuit and Zanzibar. The weather is excellent at this time of year, although it can get a bit windy in August and wild fires are a common sight sweeping through the dry grasslands.

Expect hazy conditions that detract from the scenic beauty, obscure the majesty of the landscapes, and make photography more challenging, but on the flipside the wildlife viewing is sensational. The migration has moved north by now into the Lamai region of the northern Serengeti as the wildebeest and zebra start to cross the Mara River.

Tarangire National Park is excellent for spotting elephants who roam freely among the open plains.

Visitor numbers are starting to drop off now; there is still no rain in sight, meaning that humidity levels are low bringing fewer mosquitoes. The landscapes have turned brown and grass/food is scarce. The migration concentrates along the perennial Mara River with huge columns of wildebeest and zebra crossing in both directions as the animals search for grazing while staying close to the water.

The Lamai-Mara region remains busy, as does Kilimanjaro (September is regarded by those in the know as the optimal month to climb), but the rest of Tanzania’s tourist attractions and parks are starting to see a drop off in visitor numbers, as they regain their wilderness feel. The southern safari circuit remains blissfully wild, beckoning those with a sense of adventure and yearning for wilderness.

September also sees the start of the fishing season in Tanzania’s great lake regions for all the avid anglers who’d like to combine their safari experience with fishing.

The thunderclouds are building and late October usually sees the arrival of the first rains. The wildebeest are heading south again; Kilimanjaro climbing remains popular throughout October; and wildlife viewing is superb with little vegetation to obscure the high quality sightings. Tourist numbers are considerably lower over this shoulder season period, rendering the most popular tourist attractions a more appealing proposition once more.

Mahale Mountains National Park is fully accessible this time of the year, making chimpanzee spotting prime. Lake Tanganyika is also at its warmest this time of year.

Make the most of the dried up landscapes, as well as seasonal lakes and rivers in Katavi before the rainy season starts in November.

Most of the wildlife will gather close to the Katuma River giving the chance to see a selection of wildlife in a small location. This national park also offers spectacular elephant viewing in the open plains where large groups gather creating a fascinating atmosphere.

October is the best time to visit Arusha National Park and if you want to, climb Mount Meru. Having said that, spotting wildlife this time of the year is not as highly revered, but you may still sight hyenas and leopards in the early morning and evening.

This is one of the most underrated months to go on safari in Tanzania. You will definitely have some rain to contend with, but it is usually in the form of periodic afternoon thundershowers.

The northern parks in general are great for game year-round and although the Serengeti receives rain, this means that the wildebeest will be moving south across the plains to make the most of this moisture. If they have not already arrived from Kenya, they will do by November.

Roads remain open and rivers low, so exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations and getting around is still relatively straightforward even as the landscape transforms from desolate brown to lush green before you eyes. The wide-open plains take on the appearance of a golf course with short grass that adds colour without obscuring wildlife sightings. With billowing cumulus clouds and the smoke and dust washed away, this is once again a great month for photography.

Tarangire National Park starts heating up from November onwards and can get rather humid with the start of the summer rain season.

December falls in the midst of the short rains so except some rain and wet weather. Tourist numbers are low for the first half of the month, but for two weeks over Christmas and New Year everything is choc-a-block, so it’s best to avoid the last-minute rush and book well in advance.

December is a great time for bird watchers as many migratory birds arrive. This is particularly good in southern parks such as Selous and Tarangire National Park in the north is a birdwatchers’ paradise. Look out for red-necked spurfowl, purple grenadier and cinnamon-breasted buntings to name just a few.

By now the migrant birds have arrived in full force, which makes for some superb birding opportunities. The wildebeest have returned to the short grass plains of the southern Serengeti to calve. With their more limited infrastructure, the wild parks of the southern safari circuit become more challenging during December and for the duration of the wet season.