Best Time to Go on Safari in Tanzania: Tanzania is a world-renowned destination for safari enthusiasts, offering breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife experiences. From the iconic Serengeti National Park to the less travelled Tarangire, Tanzania game reserves are teeming with diverse flora and fauna. But when is the best time to visit this East African gem to maximize your safari adventure?
Let’s dive into the details to help you plan your perfect safari trip. Enjoy Best Time to Go on Safari in Tanzania
Tanzania is a world-renowned destination for safari enthusiasts, offering breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife experiences. From the iconic Serengeti National Park to the less travelled Tarangire, Tanzania game reserves are teeming with diverse flora and fauna. But when is the best time to visit this East African gem to maximize your safari adventure?
Let’s dive into the details to help you plan your perfect safari trip.
Tanzania experiences 2 main seasons: the dry season and the wet season. To make the most of your safari experience, it’s crucial to understand both seasons, which ultimately influence wildlife patterns and weather conditions.
The dry season is often considered the best time for safari, when the weather is typically warm and dry, making wildlife viewing more predictable as animals congregate around water sources. The bush is less dense, providing clearer visibility, and the roads are easier to navigate. This season also coincides with the great wildebeest migration in the Serengeti, a spectacle not to be missed.
The wet season brings lush green landscapes, newborn wildlife, and fewer tourists. While it can be more challenging to traverse the parks due to muddy roads, this season offers its own rewards. Migratory birds arrive, and the scenery transforms into a vibrant tapestry of colours.
One of Tanzania’s most famous attractions is the Great Wildebeest Migration, a natural phenomenon where over 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles make their way across the Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. This migration is driven by the search for fresh grazing grounds and water, and its timing can vary slightly each year.
The migration is typically in the southern Serengeti around this period and it’s generally the best time for witnessing the calving season, with thousands of newborns joining the herd. The landscape is lush and green, providing excellent photographic opportunities.
During these months, the rains continue and the herds begin making their towards the central Serengeti and western corridor.
The wet season means fewer tourists, and the scenery is spectacularly green.
Between June and July, the herds begin their journey northward towards the Maasai Mara, crossing the Grumeti River. This period can be dramatic, with river crossings often resulting in thrilling predator encounters.
During these months, the migration reaches the Maasai Mara in Kenya, where the wildebeests encounter the Mara River. The river crossings here are iconic and a highlight for many visitors.
From October to December, the migration usually moves south again as the rains return, and the animals gradually make their way back to the Serengeti’s southern plains, where their journey first began.
Weather plays a crucial role in planning your safari. From June to October (Dry Season), you can typically expect sunny skies with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F). It’s generally cooler in the mornings and evenings, so packing layers is advisable.
Meanwhile
November to May (Wet Season) temperatures remain warm, ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F), but expect more humidity and occasional heavy rains. The short rains typically occur in November and December, while the long rains happen from March to May. April and May are the wettest months, with potential for continuous rain and muddy conditions.
During the dry season, the scarcity of water makes wildlife viewing easier as animals gather around waterholes. Predators like lions and cheetahs are more active, and large herds are easier to spot. Some of the species you can encounter include the famous Big 5, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, to name a few.
Meanwhile
Game drives can still be done in the wet season, along with an excellent opportunity for birdwatching (especially migratory species).
Newborn animals, including wildebeest and antelope, are visible, adding to the charm of the safari.
Crowds & Costs
The dry season is the peak tourist period in Tanzania, resulting in higher prices for accommodations and flights. It’s also busier in terms of visitor numbers. If you prefer fewer crowds and lower costs, consider traveling during the wet season. While some lodges might be closed, and roads can be challenging, you can usually find better deals and the chance to experience the parks more privately can be worthwhile.
Cultural festivals and events in Tanzania can also influence your travel plans. For instance, the Zanzibar International Film Festival in July and August offers a unique cultural experience.
Additionally, the timing of local festivals and ceremonies can provide an enriching addition to your traditional safari activities. In the end
The best time for a safari in Tanzania depends on what you want to experience. For predictable wildlife sightings and the Great Migration, the dry season from June to October is ideal. The wet season, though quieter with fewer tourists, offers lush landscapes and unique wildlife opportunities.
So, plan effectively, consider your preferences for wildlife and weather, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
EXCELLENT Based on 103 reviews fernanda a2025-06-16Verified Excellent It was an amazing experience! We loved so much! We spent 5 days with our guide Obi at Serengeti. He is really nice, excellent driver and knows everything about Serengeti. Stephan P2025-03-12Verified great experience with an awesome guide We organized our Safari with Benson. The planning was really smooth and we received a detailed and structured offer. Our guide and driver - Charels Setundu - was very friendly and helpful from the beginning and throughout the whole trip. You can feel his passion for the country and wildlife, and his experience made our journey special. He skillfully guided us to some of the most stunning locations and ensured we had the opportunity to see as many animals as possible. His dedication made our safari memorable, and we felt very happy to have such an excellent guide.Furthermore, the hotels selected by Benson Safaris were also top-notch. Each hotel was of a very high standard, with clean and comfortable rooms in beautiful locations.In summary, our safari with Benson Safaris exceeded our expectations. The combination of having a passionate guide and excellent accommodations made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We recommend Benson Safaris to anyone. shepherdfamily20252025-02-23Verified Unforgettable Family Adventure A great package which was delivered in full. The accomodation was sensational and food was excellent throughout the journey. Obi was our driver / guide and he was simply outstanding. The Serengeti is a must do and we would highly recommend using Bensons for your trip to Tanzania - Their Communication, organisation and execution was first class - Once in a life time trip which provided us with life long memories. Wes H2025-01-24Verified Great trip! I used Benson Safaris in 2017 when my wife and I did a safari in Tanzania. I told her I wanted to bring the kids some day when there were older. Well that was in Dec. of 2024. I was so happy with Benson Safaris that I reached out to use them again. Benson Safaris did a great job of communicating prior to the trip and the trip itself was grand. The two guides we used (one in Kenya, Edmund, and one for Tanzania, Lebetas) were knowledgeable, courteous and fun. We requested 4 out of 5 star accomodations and the places where we stayed were great. High marks all around. AS2025-01-01Verified Great Safari in Northern Tanzania My wife and I had a 7-8 day private safari through Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Parks in October 2024. We discussed and booked the tour with all transfers, hotels and camps directly with Benson Safaris. Everything was to our best satisfaction! We can recommend Benson Safaris in every respect and without restriction. Michael C2024-11-09Verified Great wildebeest migration with Alex It was a great tour! Alex was a great guide and put us position for some nice photos. I have already recommended Benson Safari to a few friends. Katja M2024-10-29Verified Fantastic Safari- every time again We went on a great safari with children. Incredible experience with an incredible number of animals in the Serengeti. Fantastic sccommodation, Kati Kati and Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. Zablon was our driver and guide, who was always in a good mood and very friendly. Drove for hours, but was still relaxed and showed us all the animals. He was incredibly loving with our children . This tour operator offers everything from picking us up from the airport to the end. We had booked an extra night in Arusha without prior arrangement. It was no problem at all that we were picked up the next day and taken to the airport even though the tour had ended the day before. Always happy to come back, thank you Benson, thank you Zablon! Great work! Denise R2024-10-29Verified Unforgettable memories The trip of our life. We traveled with three kids and four adults. Benson chose the perfect lodges. The travel distances were quite far, but the scenery and wildlife overwhelming. Our guide Sablon took care of us and showed us the best spots in Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Unforgettable memories for us, thank you so much!! Steve L2024-10-12Verified Tanzania with Benson Tours We have just returned from the most amazing adventure, planned and arranged by Benson Safaris. We were met at the airport by Obedi, and from that moment on our journey was fun, safe and filled with so many sights and sounds! We could not image taking this journey with anyone else, Obedi ensured that we saw the all the sights and animals. He was energetic, fun to be around and extremely knowledgeable. We could not have had a better guide! Thanks for the memories! luba15242024-10-11Verified Benson Safari Rocks! My husband and I just returned from our safari with Benson Safari, which took place from September 26 to October 7th. From the beginning of my trip planning, which started a year before, Benson and his team made sure that our visit to Tanzania would be unforgettable, and it was. Over the year, I made several changes and asked many questions, and he never made me feel that I was asking too many questions. Benson was always ready for a WhatsApp call when communication through email didn’t seem enough. Ultimately, our trip was beyond my expectations. We booked an 11-day safari and stayed two nights at each location. We started at Tarangire, then to Ngorongoro, Mara River, Central Serengeti, and ended at Lake Manyara to unwind. Our driver and guide, Liberatus, was the face of Benson Safari and was terrific. He is gentle, patient, and always willing to go the extra distance, literally, for the best sightings. I don’t know how he does it, but we were often the first vehicle at the scene, witnessing nature's drama unfold. Liberatus knew how to position the jeep so that a cheetah jumped onto the hood of our jeep; we watched vultures and storks attack a recently killed zebra, again the first to arrive at this sight. We saw the river crossings and had an excellent view. Over and above the big 5, we love sighting birds. Liberatus was excellent in pointing out the wide variety of beautiful and colourful birds during our safari and gave us the time to take fantastic pictures. Pole Pole was how we travelled, and it paid off. After spending 11 nights with him, he was a part of our family. And we miss him. Don’t hesitate to sign up for this epic adventure with Benson Safari. Benson and his team will do everything to ensure you will be well taken care of through your safari. They are quick to reply to your questions, patient, and professional. The travel, from airport pickup to safari to dropoff, was seamless, and the accommodations exceeded our expectations. Asante Sana, Benson, for making this once-in-a-lifetime adventure the most brilliant we’ve had. And thank you for the delicious coffee! Reflecting on our journey, we are filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment, knowing we've experienced something truly remarkable. I only wish we could do this again. It’s like being in a real-life Jurassic Park, with breathtaking and awe-inspiring moments at every turn.
There’s nothing better than exploring the true magic of Africa! Enjoy games drive in the wilderness, luxury lodges, amazing sceneries, fascinating cultures and life changing moments in the African bush.
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