Planning The Ultimate Tanzania Vacation

If you’re looking for a truly once-in-a-lifetime vacation, consider booking a trip to Tanzania. Tanzania is one of East Africa’s top safari destinations, but visitors can also enjoy relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar Island or climbing the steep slopes of Kilimanjaro for an amazing adventure vacation. If an African safari is on your bucket list, booking with a reputable Serengeti travel guide like Gondwana Ecotours is your best bet. Gondwana’s eclectic travel itineraries feature something for everyone. Better yet, they can help you answer the first question you need to answer to plan an incredible vacation: “When is the best time to visit Tanzania?”

Exploring the Serengeti’s Vast Savanna

One of Tanzania’s biggest tourist attractions is its incredible wildlife. With more than a million animals living on the virgin savanna of the Serengeti plains, it’s easy to see why travelers pick this area as a top safari destination. The Serengeti spans 37,000,000 acres, much of which lies within the borders of the Serengeti National Park. But choosing when to visit Tanzania depends on two things: the season and what animals you want to see!

Dry Vs. Green: Which Season Is Better For Visiting Tanzania?

When is the best time to visit Tanzania? Well, that depends on the wildlife you’d like to see! Tanzania’s seasons and wildlife numbers are influenced by seasonal rains, so your experience will be different depending on the time of year you choose to visit.

The Green Season in Tanzania runs from November to May. This is a time of transformation and renewal, both for the landscape and the wildlife!

Pros:

• The Green Season is characterized by intermittent rains. These rains transform the formerly dry landscape into a lush Garden of Eden.
• During Tanzania’s Green Season, many new animals are born and migrating birds arrive in the country.
• Fewer tourists visit during this season, meaning that overall prices are lower.

Cons:

• Many roads and trails can become inaccessible due to the rain.
• Lodges and other accommodations are more difficult to find during this season, due in large part to road closures and other weather-related factors.

In contrast, Tanzania’s dry season (from June to October) is peak tourist season.

Pros:

• Drier weather means sparse vegetation, allowing for easier viewing of wildlife.
• The dry weather also means fewer watering holes, so animals congregate around the remaining water sources. This makes animal sightings more frequent and dramatic for tourists.

Cons:

• Prices for lodging, safari services, and food are higher during the dry season.
• Peak tourist season means crowded national parks and wildlife reserves, which some travelers do not like. A good Serengeti travel guide can plan an itinerary that avoids crowds and maximizes your wildlife viewing experience.

Visiting Tanzania in May

While Tanzania’s location south of the equator means that travel conditions will be pleasant throughout the year, most travel planners encourage clients to avoid visiting Tanzania in May. During these two months, the country’s heavy rains can disrupt wildlife viewing. Roads become muddy, camps become inaccessible, and wildlife viewing conditions are not optimal. Although the vegetation flourishes during this rainy season, wildlife spotting becomes more difficult. Afternoon tropical downpours are the norm during May and the high humidity can make conditions unpleasant for safari goers. For that reason, most Serengeti travel guides will advise vacationers to skip Tanzania during the long rains and opt for an outdoor adventure another time of the year!

The Biggest Attraction in Tanzania: The Great Migration

Tanzania’s biggest draw is the Great Migration, which takes place year-round across the Serengeti. This is the world’s largest migration of land animals, which move in a circular motion across the Serengeti into Kenya and back again. When is the best time to visit Tanzania to see the Great Migration? That depends on what you want to see! In the first half of the year, safari-goers can see newly calved wildebeests in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. But as the herd begins to move in search of water and fresh grazing land, tourists gather near the Mara River to watch the dramatic water crossings that take place between July and September. No matter when you visit, the Great Migration is one of the most incredible sights to behold in Tanzania!

On Safari In Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park

While the Great Migration is the biggest tourist draw in Tanzania, there are many safari options for visitors. A good Serengeti travel guide, like the professionals with Gondwana Ecotours, can help you tailor your trip around the animals you want to see. The Serengeti National Park, located in north-central Tanzania, is one of the most popular wildlife-viewing locations in the country. Here is a list of the top five animals you can see on safari in the Serengeti, aka Tanzania’s “Big Five:”

• African Elephant: The African elephant is the largest land animal in the world, weighing up to 12,000 pounds. Tanzania is home to some of the largest populations of elephants in Africa. Visitors can see them in many of the country's national parks, including the Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks.
• African Lion: The African lion is the only big cat that lives in groups, or prides. Tanzania is home to large populations of lions, and visitors can see them in many of the country's national parks, including Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
• African Leopard: This solitary and elusive animal is much more difficult to spot than the country’s other big cats. Tanzania is home to healthy populations of leopards, and visitors can see them in many of the country's national parks, including Serengeti and Selous.
• African Buffalo: Known for its unpredictable behavior, the African buffalo is a large and powerful animal. Tanzania’s large populations of buffalo can be found in most of the country's national parks, including the Serengeti and Katavi National Parks.
• Black Rhinoceros: The black rhinoceros is listed as a critically endangered animal. However, Tanzania is home to one of the largest populations of black rhinos in the world. Visitors can see them in many locations across the country, including Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

However, Serengeti National Park isn’t the only game in town! Tanzania has 22 national parks, all of which offer spectacular wildlife viewing experiences. Your Serengeti travel guide can offer add-on options to parks like Lake Manyara to see flamingos or Arusha National Park to see Africa’s rare black and white colobus monkeys.

An Epic Adventure Of A Lifetime

While planning a trip to Tanzania in May is not a good idea, there are plenty of other times during the year to visit! An experienced Serengeti travel guide like Gondwana Ecotours can help you plan your trip around the wildlife you want to see and make sure you have an incredible adventure on the Serengeti plains. Now that you know the best time to visit Tanzania, start packing. Adventure awaits!