If you’re planning a holiday to Tanzania you might be wondering when is best to go. Tanzania’s natural landscape is so spectacular that it has become one of Africa’s top tourist destinations. Its main attraction is the varied wildlife that can be seen in the country’s miles of grassland. Tanzania also offers the amazing sights of Kilimanjaro, Lake Victoria and some truly idyllic beaches. It also boasts a variety of World Heritage Sights. If you are considering travelling to this remarkable country, it is important you know when is best to travel to Tanzania.
When to travel to Tanzania
Instead of focusing on when exactly to travel to Tanzania, it is always a good idea to think about where to visit according to the season in which you’re planning your trip.
The inland climate is temperate, while the coastal regions are very hot and humid. The best period in which to visit Tanzania is generally the dry season, which is between May and October. It is best to avoid the rainy season, which runs from March to May. There is another season known as the ‘short rains’ from November until mid-December. This is a very interesting time to visit the country, as the colours of the landscape are breathtaking and there are less tourists. However, everything depends on what activities you want to include in your holiday. For a safari, the dry season is best, although you will only be able to see the wildebeest and zebras of the Serengeti during the rainy seasons. The hottest months in Tanzania are January and February. Take this into account if you’re not accustomed to high temperatures.
Best Time to visit Tanzania – By activity
To observe birds
You can observe birds the whole year, but you will probably see more birds during the rainy season.
Tanzania safari Best Time – animals and nature
Going on a Tanzania safari is possible all year round. You will just not see the same animals and the landscapes will look different.
We often hear that the rainy season is not the best time to visit Tanzania, but it is not true. On the contrary, the rainy season is when nature is the most beautiful, green and flourishing. Many travelers prefer to go to the northern and central parks (Serengeti among others) in the dry season, between June and October, and from December to February. The weather is nice, but you should know that it is also the peak tourist season: prices and occupancy rates of hotels, lodges and camps are high.
What about diving and snorkeling?
You can dive and snorkel in Tanzania all year ! To go swimming, we often recommend to go in January and February, or during the Tanzanian winter, in July and August. The rainy season is also raging on the coast and storms happen regularly, that’s why the rainy season is not the most popular time for diving.
Best time to visit Zanzibar
The best time to visit Tanzania Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia, is during the Tanzanian winter, between June and September. On the Tanzanian islands, the climate is hot and humid, exceeding 30 degrees during the Tanzanian summer (from December to February). We recommend visiting Zanzibar between June and September, during the dry season. It’s a bit cooler, unless you really enjoy the heat.
What is the best time of the year to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?
All year round ! Admittedly, it is less easy at certain times of the year than at others (we think in particular of the rainy season). Note that there are strong temperature differences between the foot and the top of the mountain. Even if it’s hot a the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, it can freeze at the top. February is often considered to be the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This is one of the hottest months and the temperature at the top is not too cold. If you can not go there in February, know that the whole period from December to February is good to climb on the roof of Africa!
Tanzania safari best time – By geographical area
There are different types of climates in Tanzania. Of course, you will not have the same weather on the island of Zanzibar, in the Serengeti National Park as at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro!
The Tanzanian coast enjoys a humid equatorial climate, where it averages between 25 ° C and 30 ° C. In contrast, the highlands and inland areas are subject to a temperate tropical climate. In the large parks of the north, the temperatures in the day are pleasant, but do not forget to bring a jacket for the evening because it is cold when the night falls.
There are several best times to visit Tanzania. Many tourists like to go during dry, sunny seasons from January to March and from July to October. However, if you want to meet fewer people on the road and if you suffer from heat, we advise you to go before or after the dry season in June or September. You will enjoy the great weather without being there during the high season.
