Country Guide

Weather

With year round heat it is a matter of deciding what to do...

When thinking of the weather in Tanzania, it is worth noting that it is just below the equator and so, from a temperature point of view the areas are affected more by altitude and humidity than seasonal changes. The average temperature for Tanzania, year-round, is approximately 30 degrees Celsius. The northern safari parks are a couple of degrees cooler, due to their altitude and, the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, at around 2,300 meters, can get down to freezing at night.

January to March

The period in between the short and the long rains, this can be a humid and sticky time to visit Tanzania. On the whole there are far fewer tourists that come to safari in this season, but, for those seeking a little peace and quiet…or for those that are keen birders, this is probably the best time of the year to come…but bring mosquito repellent!

April to May

The main rains in East Africa and a period where it can rain solidly for up to a week at a time. As the rains arrive, the humidity is washed out of the air and, as such, this period can be very good for keen safari photographers. As we recommend in our country safari guide, this is not to say don’t come, but you need to bring a rain jacket!

Where to head for: The Northern Parks

June to October

Probably the most reliable period for safari in the year, this window is known as the dry season and is when 80% of the day is sunny. Accordingly the humidity has dropped significantly and most days are very comfortable…the mornings still have a chill up in the Ngorongoro Highlands.

Where to head for: The Northern Parks, The Southern Parks, The Western Parks

November to December

The short rainy period in Tanzania is still a good time to go for safari, although, as with the main rains, it is worth bringing along mosquito repellent, as it can get a little busier than at other times of the year. The rains themselves are only short showers really and so don’t overly get in the way of game viewing, but you will notice a rise in humidity in this period.

Where to head for...

  • › The Northern Parks
  • › The Southern Parks
  • › The Western Parks
  • › The Beached and Island