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When to go · Tanzania

Tanzania, month by month

The best months for Tanzania: Jan, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Months to avoid: Apr.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGreatHerds gather on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu; calving starts late in the month.Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: best weather · Zanzibar and the coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGoodPeak calving around Ndutu — predators close by; Zanzibar hot and dry.Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: best weather · Zanzibar and the coast: hotCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchMixedCalving winds down; rains start late in the month.Northern circuit: fine · Kilimanjaro: fine · Zanzibar and the coast: hotCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilAvoidLong rains: many camps and some Zanzibar hotels close; muddy tracks.Northern circuit: rainy · Kilimanjaro: rainy · Zanzibar and the coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 4 festivals or holidays
  5. MayMixedRains ease; herds move through the central and western Serengeti; green-season rates.Northern circuit: rainy · Kilimanjaro: rainy · Zanzibar and the coast: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  6. JuneGreatDry season starts; Grumeti River crossings in the Western Corridor (variable).Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: fine · Zanzibar and the coast: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyGreatHerds reach the northern Serengeti; first Mara River crossings around Kogatende; Kilimanjaro busy.Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: best weather · Zanzibar and the coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
  8. AugustGreatPeak Mara River crossings and peak prices; book 6–12 months ahead.Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: best weather · Zanzibar and the coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  9. SeptemberGreatCrossings continue in the north; excellent across the northern circuit.Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: best weather · Zanzibar and the coast: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
  10. OctoberGreatHerds start south; dry and dusty; mandatory mainland insurance applies from 1 Oct 2026.Northern circuit: best weather · Kilimanjaro: best weather · Zanzibar and the coast: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  11. NovemberMixedShort rains; herds stream back into the central and southern Serengeti.Northern circuit: fine · Kilimanjaro: fine · Zanzibar and the coast: fineCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
  12. DecemberMixedGreen and showery; herds return to the south; Christmas rates on Zanzibar.Northern circuit: fine · Kilimanjaro: fine · Zanzibar and the coast: fineCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Northern circuitArusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, SerengetiBestBestOKWetWetBestBestBestBestBestOKOK
KilimanjaroMoshi, Marangu, the mountainBestBestOKWetWetOKBestBestBestBestOKOK
Zanzibar and the coastStone Town, Nungwi, Paje, Dar es Salaam, PembaBestHotHotWetWetOKBestBestBestBestOKOK
Southern parksNyerere (Selous), Ruaha, MikumiWetWetWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestHotWet
Western lakesMahale, Gombe, Katavi, Lake TanganyikaWetWetWetWetOKBestBestBestBestBestOKWet