Plan your timing
When to visit Tanzania
The Great Migration, the dry and green seasons, Kilimanjaro's climbing windows and Zanzibar's weather all shift through the year. Here's how to choose your dates — including the months we'd steer you away from.
| Month | Verdict | Season | Where the herds are |
|---|---|---|---|
| january | Good | Green season | Ndutu & southern plains — calving begins |
| february | Excellent | Green season | Ndutu — peak calving |
| march | Fair | Green season | Southern Serengeti — herds begin moving north-west |
| april | Poor | Green season | Western Serengeti — dispersed |
| may | Fair | Green season | Western Corridor — the rut |
| june | Excellent | Dry season | Western Corridor — Grumeti crossings |
| july | Excellent | Dry season | Northern Serengeti — Mara River crossings begin |
| august | Excellent | Dry season | Northern Serengeti & Mara — peak crossings |
| september | Excellent | Dry season | Northern Serengeti — crossings continue |
| october | Excellent | Dry season | Northern Serengeti — herds begin turning south |
| november | Good | Shoulder | Central & eastern Serengeti — moving south |
| december | Good | Shoulder | Southern Serengeti — herds arriving |
january
GoodGreen season · calving
Herds: Ndutu & southern plains — calving begins
The southern Serengeti fills with newborn wildebeest and the predators that follow them.
- Calving season
- Fewer crowds
Good this month
february
ExcellentGreen season · peak calving
Herds: Ndutu — peak calving
Peak calving on the short-grass plains, and the most concentrated predator action of the year.
- Big cats
- Lower prices
Good this month
march
FairLong rains begin
Herds: Southern Serengeti — herds begin moving north-west
Green, quiet and well priced. Afternoon rain is common and some remote camps begin to close.
- Lowest prices
- Lush landscapes
Good this month
april
PoorLong rains · low season
Herds: Western Serengeti — dispersed
The wettest month. Roads soften, some camps close, and game is harder to find. We will tell you honestly if your dates are better moved.
- Very few visitors
may
FairRains easing
Herds: Western Corridor — the rut
The rains taper through the month. Excellent value, dramatic skies, and the herds massing in the Western Corridor.
- Great value
- The rut
Good this month
june
ExcellentDry season begins
Herds: Western Corridor — Grumeti crossings
The bush thins, animals gather at water, and the Migration builds in the west.
- Great first safari
- Grumeti crossings
Good this month
july
ExcellentDry season · peak game viewing
Herds: Northern Serengeti — Mara River crossings begin
The Great Migration masses on the northern plains; clear skies and easy sightings.
- River crossings
- Best for first safaris
Good this month
august
ExcellentDry season · peak
Herds: Northern Serengeti & Mara — peak crossings
Peak crossing season and the busiest month. Book early; the best camps go first.
- Mara crossings
- Peak wildlife
Good this month
september
ExcellentDry season
Herds: Northern Serengeti — crossings continue
Crossings continue with slightly thinner crowds than August. Superb all-round game viewing.
- River crossings
- Quieter than August
Good this month
october
ExcellentLate dry · Kilimanjaro window
Herds: Northern Serengeti — herds begin turning south
Excellent climbing conditions and concentrated wildlife around water.
- Great for climbs
Good this month
november
GoodShort rains
Herds: Central & eastern Serengeti — moving south
Brief afternoon showers freshen the plains. Good value, fewer vehicles, and the herds on the move.
- Fewer crowds
- Good value
december
GoodShort rains ease · festive
Herds: Southern Serengeti — herds arriving
The herds return south as the rains ease. A strong festive-season choice, and the last quiet weeks before January.
- Festive season
- Herds returning
First safari?
Good to know
Tell us your dates
There is no single best time — only the best time for what you want to feel. Tell us when you can travel and we'll tell you what those weeks will give you.