Best time to visit Tanzania
The month-by-month edit — when to go, when to avoid, and the windows worth booking around.
The view
When Tanzania actually opens up
June through October is the dry-season headline window — peak game viewing across the northern circuit, peak rates, and the Mara River crossings in August–September. The editor's secret is the calving season (late January through March) in the southern Serengeti, when newborn wildebeest concentrate predator activity and the camps run materially cheaper. April and May (the long rains) close many properties; November's short rains are a quiet sweet spot for travellers who don't mind brief afternoon showers.
Month by month
The Tanzania calendar
- Peak
Dry season — peak game viewing, peak rates, book a year ahead for Singita.
- Shoulder
Calving season is excellent for the southern Serengeti and far less crowded.
- Off-season
Long rains close many camps; the green season is wonderful for photography if you accept the mud.
peak season
Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
Dry season — peak game viewing, peak rates, book a year ahead for Singita.
shoulder season
Jan · Feb · Mar · Jun
Calving season is excellent for the southern Serengeti and far less crowded.
off season
Apr · May · Nov · Dec
Long rains close many camps; the green season is wonderful for photography if you accept the mud.