Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

When to go · Tanzania

Tanzania in January

Great month. Herds gather on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu; calving starts late in the month.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
Medium
Tanzania
Prices
Medium
Tanzania

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Tanzania

Herds gather on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu; calving starts late in the month.

Weather in January

  • Northern circuit · Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengetibest weather

    Short rains Nov–Dec are light; long rains Apr–May close some camps. Migration position changes month to month.

  • Kilimanjaro · Moshi, Marangu, the mountainbest weather

    Summit nights below −10 °C all year; best climbing Jan–Mar and Jun–Oct.

  • Zanzibar and the coast · Stone Town, Nungwi, Paje, Dar es Salaam, Pembabest weather

    Humid; the masika rains Apr–May are heavy and several resorts close.

  • Southern parks · Nyerere (Selous), Ruaha, Mikumirainy

    One long wet season Nov–Apr; many camps open only June–October.

  • Western lakes · Mahale, Gombe, Katavi, Lake Tanganyikarainy

    Chimp trekking is easiest in the dry season when chimps come down the slopes.

  • Arusha27° / 13°, 6 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    Zanzibar busy.

  • Zanzibar Revolution Day

    12 Jan

    Holiday; events in Stone Town.

  • Southern Serengeti calving season begins check

    Through February · Arusha

    Peak safari demand; Arusha hotels and vehicles book up.

  • Peak safari season start

    December–February · Arusha

    Southern Serengeti calving season draws safari traffic through Arusha; book lodges and vehicles early.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Tanzania
Medium
Prices · Tanzania
Medium

What to pack

  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Northern circuit

    Best weather of the year (Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti)

  • Kilimanjaro

    Best weather of the year (Moshi, Marangu, the mountain)

  • Zanzibar and the coast

    Best weather of the year (Stone Town, Nungwi, Paje, Dar es Salaam, Pemba)

  • Arusha

    Short dry spell; warm.