When To Visit Tanzania For An Epic Safari Adventure
Download Travel Details >PRIVATE & SMALL GROUP TOURS TO THE WORLD'S BEST DESTINATIONS
Join Us For A Safari In Tanzania

What Is The Best Month For Safari In Tanzania?
A Tanzania safari offers safari-goers the incredible opportunity to see the Great Migration – the annual movement of millions of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle searching for fresh grazing on the Serengeti’s vast plains. It also offers visitors sweeping vistas of great beauty, Africa’s Big 5, and the geological wonders of the nearby Ngorongoro Crater and Mount Kilimanjaro. But before you pack your safari hat and bug spray, you’ll need to answer an important question: “When is the best month for safari in Tanzania?”
Tanzania’s climate is tropical, which means that you can visit the country almost any time of the year! However, certain months are better for certain activities than others, including safaris. As a general rule of thumb, when to visit Tanzania depends on what you want to do and what animals you want to see. Most visitors plan their trip to Tanzania between January and February, or the “high season,” when the weather is hot and dry. However, if you want to visit the Serengeti National Park, the best time to visit is between late June and October, when the animals are most visible. The wet months are not a popular time to visit Tanzania unless you are budget-conscious or trying to avoid crowds of tourists.
Exploring Tanzania By Month
While Tanzania is a year-round hot spot for tourists, each month brings something new to explore in this East African Country. We’ve broken down the top activities by month below, including the best month for safari in Tanzania and information about visiting Tanzania in July!
Month |
Top Activities |
Key Facts |
January |
Photography safaris, following the great wildebeest migration, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro |
|
February |
Island hopping, swimming, and snorkeling |
|
March |
Bird watching, visiting national parks and Easter celebrations |
|
April |
Sunset viewing, UNESCO World Heritage site visits, and museum trips |
|
May |
Bird watching, hiking in the Usambara Mountains, and cultural attractions |
|
June |
Safaris, climbing Mount Meru, and dance festivals |
|
July |
Wildlife experiences, beach lounging, and festivals in Zanzibar |
|
August |
Lake cruises, diving, and turtle hatching |
|
September |
Hiking, hot-air ballooning, and exploring Zanzibar |
|
October |
Trips to Ngorongoro Crater, exploring Tanzania’s cities, and market visits |
|
November |
Whale shark spotting, active volcano visiting, and music festivals |
|
December |
Spotting migrating birds, local village visits, and festive celebrations |
|
July’s dry weather makes game viewing the most popular activity during that month. Those who go on safari during the country’s long dry season will have much better opportunities to see animals while out on game drives. This is because the lack of water and food causes wildlife populations to congregate at water holes and along river banks – making it easy for them to be spotted!
On Safari In Tanzania in July
If you want to plan an epic Tanzanian adventure, the best month for a safari in Tanzania is July. Tanzania in July falls in the middle of the country’s long, dry season and is when the drama of the Great Migration begins ramping up. Drier weather means more animals gather around waterholes, which makes the Mara River and Selous Game Reserve popular tourist destinations during this time.
Two of the biggest benefits to visiting Tanzania during the dry season are a product of this lack of rain. One, it’s a lot easier to observe wildlife in Tanzania in July when the country’s lush greenery is dried up! And two, dry weather means you don’t have to worry about taking a Jeep through a flooded area or having your camp close at short notice due to flooding. For the best safari experience possible, consider the weather before you book your trip.
When To Visit Tanzania For The Great Migration
The Great Migration doesn’t stick to a predictable schedule, but most experienced tour operators have a good idea of where the great herd will be during their annual migration cycle and when they will make their dangerous river crossings. When the great plains of the Serengeti dry up under the scorching sun and food becomes scarce, Tanzania’s wildebeest start moving.
Because the Great Herd is so large, the water sources necessary to sustain them need to be equally massive. This requirement pushes the herd toward the Mara River, a winding body of water that drains into Lake Victoria. Here, during the summer months, the herd begins the dangerous river crossing that will take them into the Masai Mara of Kenya. The stakes are high, as predators are at their heels and crocodiles lay in wait just under the water’s surface.
Answering The Call Of The Wild In Tanzania
Whether you want to see Tanzania’s Great Migration, catch a glimpse of the Big Five, or explore the country’s coast, Tanzania has something for everyone! From the rich cultural heritage of local tribes to thrilling safari adventures in the Serengeti, Tanzania promises a myriad of unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler. Get ready for adventure – no matter where you land.