A Tanzania Safari In December – Witness The Wildlife And Adventure!

Last updated on January 7th, 2023 at 01:23 pm

The month of December in Tanzania is known as the shoulder season. Christmas and New Year make late December a little busier. Even though there are short rains, December is still a wonderful month to go on a Safari In Tanzania. And, witness the amazing wildlife that the emerald season brings. It’ll create outstanding photographic opportunities for the surroundings that are lush and vibrant. The following is our comprehensive guide as to why a Tanzania Safari In December is full of adventure and unique experiences.

1. Why A Tanzania Safari In December Is A Great Choice?

Tanzania is regarded as a great winter holiday destination. There are a bunch of reasons why. The following are the top 6 reasons why December is an ideal month for a Safaris In Tanzania :

• The weather in December is perfect as it’s not hot and the rainfall is also very less.
• The frequent rains before December turn the whole barren land into a lush and vibrant grassland.
• You may get great deals on Tanzania Safari Packages and accommodation costs. The costs are significantly low as compared to the dry season.
• Visitors will also experience fewer crowds compared to the other months. So, they will enjoy a private and exclusive Safari In Tanzania.
• Tanzania is regarded as a paradise for birdwatchers. And, December is a great month for birdwatching. The short rains help bring out many colourful native birds for birders to spot.
• December is also referred to as the calving season. You may get opportunities to see some animals giving birth while on game drives.

Even though wildlife is easier to observe in the dry season, you’ll still get loads of opportunities to spot Tanzania Wildlife in December. Especially in the national parks located in the Northern Circuit.

Thus, the above reasons reflect that December is the ideal month for safaris to Tanzania.

2. The Climate of Tanzania in December

There is a slight chance of rain in December, known as ‘short rains.’ Apart from the rain, the weather is very pleasant in December. With typical temperatures ranging from 26 Celsius to 33 Celsius.

• Daytime maximum temperature – 33 Celsius.
• Night-time minimum temperature – 17 Celsius.
• Average Sunshine Hours – About 11 hrs.
• Average Rainfall – Around 205 millimetres.
• The number of Dry Days (approx.) – 23 days.
• The number of Rainy Days (approx.) – 8 days.
• Humidity – 88%
• Cloud Cover – 30%

Sunny and Warm temperatures make December one of the best months for a Tanzania Safari Tour.

3. Activities That Visitors Can Do In December

There are many activities that you can engage in a Safari In Tanzania. Below are the top 4 activities for visitors to do on a Tanzania Safari in December:

Game Drives – December is one of Tanzania’s best months for wildlife safaris. The climate in December is not very hot and the vegetation is greener than ever. Game Drives at this time are magnificent and will provide an up-close encounter with the wildlife of Tanzania.

Cultural Tours – There’s a saying that without experiencing the native culture, you won’t get an authentic feel of any country you visit. Besides national parks, you should also experience the way of life of the local people. There are Iraqw village tours available in safaris in Tanzania. You can use this chance to learn about the fascinating culture of Tanzania.

Hot Air Balloon Rides – Going on a hot air balloon safari is going to be one of the most enriching experiences in your life. It’ll provide a bird’s eye perspective of the rich plains and gorgeous views of the sunset. And, you’ll get to witness the wildlife of Tanzania from a unique perspective.

4. Best Places to visit in December

Now, let’s look at some of the best places that you should visit in Tanzania in the month of December. The following are the top 3 destinations that you should add to your Tanzania itinerary when visiting in December:

Option 1 – Serengeti National Park – Labelled as the pride of Tanzania, the Serengeti is teeming with some of the best and most varied species of Tanzania Wildlife. In December, you can see herds of animals on the move from the Central to the Southern region of Serengeti.

Option 2 – Ngorongoro Conservation Area – The area is renowned as one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered black rhinos. Migrating herds can be seen around the Serengeti-Ngorongoro Border in December.

Option 3 – Lake Manyara National Park – Situated in a wonderful setting, Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its huge elephant herds and tree-climbing lions. Birdwatching is also excellent in the month of December in the park.

Our Recommendation – Another great destination we highly recommend is Tarangire National Park. It has numerous wildlife and birdlife to enjoy. No matter which option you select, you’re guaranteed to have great Safaris in Tanzania.

5. Accommodation Options in December

Early December is a great time to visit Tanzania because you’ll get to benefit from reduced accommodation costs. Keep in mind that late December includes holidays, so the cost of Tanzania Accommodations may go up.

When planning to visit Tanzania over Christmas or the New Year, ensure to choose and book your accommodation options in advance.

Our Recommendation – Some of the finest accommodations we recommend are:  Lemala Nanyunkie Lodge, Tarangire Safari Lodge, and Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp. Book a couple of weeks in advance so you won’t face any last-minute difficulties.

6. The Northern Safari Circuit in December

Experiencing the Wildlife Of Tanzania in the Northern Circuit is a delight in the month of December. Some locations in Tanzania flourish in December like the Seronera region (in Central Serengeti) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Due to the seasonal short rains, December is considered an awesome time for birdwatching. The migratory birds arrive back in the national parks of Tanzania in flocks.

7. Best Safari itineraries during December in Tanzania

We provide some of the best safari itineraries for your full enjoyment of the Tanzania Safari Tour. If you plan to visit Tanzania in December, the itineraries listed below will provide top-notch facilities:

• 7 Days Big Five Safaris In Tanzania – Including Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
• 10 Days Southern Tanzania Safari – You’ll get the opportunity to visit and explore the national parks of Ruaha and Nyerere.
• 8 Days Tanzania Classic Safari – This itinerary includes Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Tarangire National Park.

Our Recommendation – You can tailor-make your preferred itinerary as well on a Tanzania Safari in December.

8. What Travellers have said about Tanzania Safaris in December!

Below are the opinions of past travellers who experienced a Tanzania Safari in December with African Scenic Safaris:

Phenomenal

Dec 2021 • Solo

Amazing 3 days safari Temba was a fabulous guide. Knowledgeable and took us to all the right spots to see the animals.

Harry Rana   –    UK Visited: December 2015 Reviewed: Feb 22, 2016

Email Harry Rana

Funny and informative

 5/5

Booked a 5-night safari for 3 people including my parents, which spanned Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.

1. Our guide (Rasheed) was excellent. He was funny, inquisitive and very informative. He spoke very good English and managed our trip well. I found his knowledge and anecdotes very informative and it was a great way to learn about the animals and their importance to the local culture.

2. The trip was organised from the pick up to the drop at the airport without missing a beat. The accommodations were great and I found the individuals at each of the lodges very friendly and approachable.

3. I found the price to be very fair and I found the pricing structure appropriate. It provided a level of certainty.

4. I would definitely recommend the company and I hope to arrange another trip during the dry season.

Thanks

Harry

To read more reviews like these, you can visit the pages mentioned below:

• https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g317084-d8459743-Reviews-African_Scenic_Safaris-Moshi_Kilimanjaro_Region.html
• https://www.safaribookings.com/reviews/p881

Experience a wonderful Tanzania Safari in December!

Finally, December is a great month to visit Tanzania filled with adventure and excellent game viewing. You may end up paying a bit more than other months for your Tanzania Safari Package at this time of the year. But, your experience will be more than worthwhile!

Our safaris are tailor-made to match your optimal safari expectations. By taking into account what safari experiences you’d like to include and what accommodation you’d prefer.