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Best time to go on a safari in Tanzania

The best time to go on safari in Tanzania is any time outside of the March to early May rains. These can cause travel disruption in the remote south, and wildlife disperses as food and water become more abundant. June to September are peak months for the Great Migration and the classic Mara River crossing, see our climate chart and advice from Tanzania experts below.

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Best time to go on safari in Tanzania

The worst time to visit Tanzania is during the March-early May rains, when wildlife disperses. Other than that… take your pick.

The best time to go on safari in Tanzania varies for each traveller. Unlike in Kenya, the Great Migration can be seen during most of the year somewhere in Tanzania – though you’ll need to travel in June-Sep to catch the famous Mara River crossing. Avoid the school holidays if you are able; there are fewer crowds. The south is never crowded though; the few lodges are dispersed, so even at peak times you’ll feel alone. Jan-Feb is a lovely time after the short Nov-Dec rainy season; the landscape is greener and there are baby animals – plus rates may be lower.

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Serengeti Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

101

MAR

130

APR

156

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

117

DEC

106

Our Tanzania safari Holidays

Tanzania safari travel advice

Visiting the Ngorongoro Crater

Amanda Marks, from our supplier Tribes Travel, shares her advice on safaris in Tanzania:

“Some people think the crater can be overrated, but really that’s to do with having the wrong expectations. Some people go in there and aren’t expecting the hundreds and hundreds of vehicles – so they can be disappointed, as they’re up against a lot of other people seeing the wildlife. But it’s down to the guides as well. If our guides go into the crater and see a huddle of cars around a leopard, they won’t go there. But most other guides will join the fray –which in my opinion is a horrible experience. So you have to understand that the crater is actually quite busy.”

Enjoying the migration

Andrew Appleyard, from our supplier Exodus, shares Tanzania safari travel advice on his favourite way to watch wildlife:

“It is incredible to see the huge migrations lines. When I led one of my last safaris down there we saw the Big Five within a few hours and so I asked the group what they wanted to do. They asked me “what would you do?” I said I’d park the vehicle up in the middle of the migration, turn the engine off and sit there for two or three hours and just watch it pass. I’d also ban photography for an hour. Too many people just shoot Africa through a lens and come back with 7,000 images – but don’t actually just sit there and take it all in. So I make everyone put their cameras down and sit there and watch it with their engines off.”

Enjoying the migration

It's more than just the Serengeti...

Roman Biondic, from our supplier Eyes on Africa Safaris:

“Tanzania is huge, and the southern parks are still to be discovered. It is a jewel, it’s a treasure that is still hidden. It’s actually a bit expensive to go there; there is no mass tourism as the only way is to fly. But if you have a small group of travellers, you can travel around the south overland. A maximum of six people which is perfect for one car, and it makes it relatively cheap per person.”

Best time to go on safari in Tanzania?

Amanda Marks, from our supplier Tribes Travel, explains why the best time to visit Tanzania may not be when you think it is:

“The Great Migration moves constantly so you have it from December to March in the southern Serengeti – you can find the wildlife there quite easily. They tend to give birth at the beginning of the year, then move north and west, though they are more spread out so it’s not such a spectacle – but you can still find them. Then from July to October they are in Kenya, but they are also in the very north of the Serengeti, which is just as good a place to see the migration.”

Best time to go on safari in Tanzania?

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Tanzania safari or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Tips from our travellers

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Tanzania safari travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.

We went in December and the scenery was really beautiful because it rained a bit once in a while. It was nice and green, but was extremely humid and hot. If you cannot stand this very well, it's probably best to go in another season.

- Natalie Lefevre

Aim to enjoy every part of the holiday, whether it is the flight in a prop plane and landing on an air strip with elephants and giraffes standing to on either side (or in the middle), or hundreds of hairy caterpillars in procession. Big or small, take it all in... Don't worry about dressing up for travel or evening meals, and forget make-up and hair styling too. I would also recommend taking a travel washing line and biodegradable washing liquid… the clothes dry quickly. - Joanne Davenport

Read itinerary carefully and be prepared for long, dusty truck journeys fondly referred to as having an "African massage" as roads are very bumpy and more craters than hard road. Perhaps choose a holiday which centres at one place for 2-3 days and journey out from that centre. - Lesley Halliday

It's a different world and if you want total relaxation and comfort, safaris aren't for you. However if you can put up with insect bites and a sore bottom then you will see some truly awesome sights. We think our holiday was well worth the money as we knew we were supporting local people and eco projects. That's what makes this holiday unique. - Clare Hewitt

Buy on the local market (if you plan to donate to a school or community, buy the supplies locally to support the community rather than bringing them from home).

- Teresa VandenBosch

If you go during the dry season be prepared for dust on a grand scale! Having said that what you are seeing and doing overrides any discomfort. Don’t forget your lipsalve and hair conditioner as the air is very dry! - Linda de Zilva

Our children (13 and 15) got as much out of meeting the local people in towns and villages as they did from seeing the vast array of wildlife. Now they realise you really can make do on a minimum of possessions and things can be fixed (in very inventive ways), not thrown away when they break; a life changing experience for them. - Graham Botwright

More about Tanzania safari

Safaris in Tanzania travel guide

In our safaris in Tanzania travel guide, we discuss when and where to see the wildebeest migration, bushwalking with a Maasai guide, Big Five game safaris in the Ngorongoro Crater and the little explored game reserves of the south. We share our thoughts on whether or not a Tanzania safari is right for you, and our interactive map will help you decide where to go on your Tanzania safari holiday.

More relevant guides

Written by Vicki Brown

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Atosan] [Temp chart intro: Sankara Subramanian] [Ngorongo Crater : George Lamson] [Migration: Ben and Gab] [More than serengeti: Ben and Gab] [Best time: Ben and Gab] [Tip intro: Ray in Manila] [Tip1: Martin Olsen] [Tip2: SarahTz]

Best time to go on a safari in Tanzania