The Best Time To Visit Tanzania In Various Seasons Of 2023/2024
Written By
African Scenic Safaris
02/03/2023
Safaris
Last updated on June 26th, 2023 at 08:51 am
What’s the Best Time to Visit Tanzania? This question is probably the first thing that will come to mind when you start planning for a Tanzania Safari in 2023/24.
The country’s diverse climate and seasons can affect your Safari experience and the availability of activities. Therefore, it is essential to understand the best time to visit Tanzania to ensure that you make the most of your trip. Below, we will explore the Best Time to Visit Tanzania in various seasons of 2023-2024. We will discuss the climate, wildlife, two seasons, and migration. This will help you plan the perfect Tanzania Safari Tour.
Tanzania’s Dry Season In 2023-2024 (From June To October)
This season is also called the high season in Tanzania. The weather in these months is dry and cooler with plenty of sunshine. Wildlife viewing is the most convenient during this time because of the shorter vegetation and gathering of animals around water sources. This season is generally considered to be the Best Time to Visit Tanzania.
This is also a great time to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti. In June and July, the chances of catching sight of the Mara River Crossings are high.
Weather In The Dry Season
MONTH(S)
TEMPERATURES
TIPS
June, July, and August
Between 20° Celsius and 30 Celsius
Low Humidity and Rainfall, still pack warm clothing because morning game drives and nights tend to be cold.
September and October
Between 25° to 30° Celsius
Most days have clear blue skies and sunny weather – perfect for game drives and photographic safaris.
Advantages And Drawbacks Of Visiting Tanzania In The Dry Season
There are some benefits as well as a few drawbacks to visiting Tanzania in the Dry Season. So, before you plan Safaris in Tanzania in 2023/24, you need to know what the pros and cons are. The following list will offer you useful insights:
ADVANTAGES OF TANZANIA’S DRY SEASON
DRAWBACKS OF TANZANIA’S DRY SEASON
Great time to see the Great Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park
Because this is the high season, there are a lot more crowds. So, book your accommodations and safari activities well in advance.
Convenient wildlife sightings
The morning and nighttime temperatures get very cold. To counter this, bring a few pairs of warm clothing items.
Fewer mosquitoes, so fewer chances of contracting malaria
Clear skies and lots of sunshine
Some specific activities are perfect to do during the dry season in Tanzania. Make sure to include the activities listed below in your 2023/24 Tanzania Safari Itinerary:
ACTIVITIES
BEST LOCATIONS
Game Drives
Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, etc.
Day Trips
Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, etc.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania’s Wet Season In 2023/24 (From November To May)
The wet season in Tanzania is characterized by two showers of rain. These are the long rains (called Masika) and the short rains (called Vuli). The long rains occur from mid-March to May and the short burst of rain happens from November to late February.
Average Rainfall In The Wet Season
MONTH(S)
TYPICAL RAINFALL (in inches)
November
4.7 in.
December
4.1 in.
January
2.5 in.
February
3.0 in.
March
5.4 in.
April
8.8 in.
May
3.3 in.
Even though it’s the wet season, Safaris in Tanzania aren’t completely off-limits. The dry season is superior when it comes to wildlife viewing opportunities. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t see animals in the wet season. Far from it, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Lake Manyara still offer great wildlife sightings in the wet season.
But the major draw of Tanzania’s wet season is the exceptional birdwatching. Tanzania is home to one of the largest bird species in Africa. This includes over 1,100 different species of birds, of which around 800 are residents and over 200 are migrants.
Birds Of Tanzania
COMMON SPECIES
ENDEMIC SPECIES
MIGRANT SPECIES
Secretary Bird
Moreau’s Sunbird
Bustard
Ashy Starling
Banded green Sunbird
Asian Openbill
Fischer’s Lovebird
Pemba Green Pigeon
Woodland Kingfisher
Rufous-tailed Weaver
Uluguru Bushshrike
Hamerkop
Red-and-yellow Barbet
Kilombero Weaver
Caspian Lapwing
Black Crane
Usambara Hyliota
Lesser Kestrel
Greater and Lesser Flamingo
Malagasy Pond Heron
European Bee-Eater
Best Tanzania Destinations to spot birds – Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, etc.
Advantages And Drawbacks Of Visiting Tanzania In The Wet Season
Before you plan for your Tanzania Safari in 2023/24, you should know the pros and cons of visiting Tanzania in the wet season. The list below will offer a helpful understanding:
ADVANTAGES OF TANZANIA’S WET SEASON
DRAWBACKS OF TANZANIA’S WET SEASON
Birdwatching is at its best, due to the presence of migrant species.
A less ideal time for wildlife viewing. But, you’ll still see plenty of animals, especially in the northern circuit parks.
The landscapes are lush and wonderful, perfect for photographic safaris.
This is the peak of the rains, so road conditions are less favourable.
This is the low season, meaning fewer crowds and discounted costs
Some Tanzania Safari activities are at their best in the wet season. So, if you plan to visit Tanzania in the wet season, make sure you try the following Things To Do in Tanzania.
ACTIVITIES
BEST LOCATIONS
Birdwatching Safaris
Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, etc.
Photographic Safaris
Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Arusha National Park, etc.
Calving Season Safaris (from January to March)
Serengeti National Park
Best Time To Visit Tanzania For Seeing Wildlife
Seeing wildlife in Tanzania National Parks is the primary draw for visitors in Tanzania. The Dry Season (from June to October) is typically considered to be the Best Time to visit Tanzania for wildlife viewing.
The reason for this is that the dry season receives less amount of rainfall (virtually none at all).
This results in shorter grass and vegetation in the savannahs of the national parks. Thus, this means you’ll get to see wildlife easily.
Furthermore, several herds of wildebeests, zebras, and elephants gather around the different water sources to quench their thirst. You will get to see this natural phenomenon right from the comfort of your safari lodge.
Best Time To Visit Tanzania For Seeing The Wildebeest Migration
You have to know what the Best Time of Year to Visit Tanzania is to admire one of the last remaining natural wonders of the world – The Great Migration. Below is a detailed list of events and the Best Time to Visit Tanzania to see them first-hand:
Seeing The Great Wildebeest Migration In The Serengeti
MIGRATION EVENT
BEST TIME
Calving Season
January to March
Intense Predator Action
January to March
Rutting Season
January to March
Grumeti River Crossings
May to July
Mara River Crossings
July to September
The dry or winter season (from June to October) is the best time to see these supersized groups in Southern Serengeti. Although, June and July are the Best Time to Visit Tanzania for Migration in the Western Corridor of the Serengeti. August and September are perfect months to witness the herds in the northern region of the park.
Know The Best Time To Visit Tanzania And Plan Your Safari In 2023/24
In conclusion, the Best Time to Visit Tanzania depends on various factors such as weather, wildlife, and personal interests.
By understanding the different seasons and the advantages they offer, visitors can plan their Trip To Tanzania effectively and make the most of their experience. From the dry season offering ideal conditions for a safari to the wet season bringing out the lush greenery and migratory birds, each season has something unique to offer.
When you choose one of our Tanzania Safari Packages, our team at African Scenic Safaris go into detail about when you should visit Tanzania. After gauging through the information, you can decide what time suits your interests and preferences.
Read some of our other blogs on Tanzania Safaris by clicking the links below:
