Best time to visit Tanzania: When to travel to Tanzania?

You ask yourself: What is the best time to travel to Tanzania to visit? Tanzania is world famous and a popular destination for hiking on Kilimanjaro and Usambara Mountains, but also the dream beaches on the coast of Zanzibar attract tourists from all over the world. This contrast of mountain scenery and coastline greatly determines the climate of the country and therefore it is important to know beforehand what you want to see of the country in order to choose the right time to travel. 

Weather and climate in Tanzania

Tanzania's climate is mainly tropical, but it is regionally differentiated again into different climate zones, because the country has so many regions and facets. The average temperature is about 26 °C.

On the coast, the climate is hot and humid all year round with high humidity. The further inland you go, the more moderate the temperatures and especially at night it can get very cool.

Best time to visit Tanzania: Beach holiday on the east coast

The focus for those who want to travel to the east coast of Tanzania is to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday, swim in the crystal clear Indian Ocean and soak up the sun. Those who like relaxing walks on the white sandy beach under palm trees should make their trip in the dry season in order not to be surprised by rain showers. Stretch the months from June to October and from December to early March. During the rainy season, the climate on the east coast and on Zanzibar is quite humid and there can be heavy rainfall. 

Best time to visit Tanzania: Safari

The best time to go on safari in Tanzania is from June to October and from mid-December to early March, as this is the dry season and there is little water in the national parks. The many wild animals gather around the waterholes to quench their thirst and you have the chance to see many of them doing so. The more waterholes there are, the more the animals spread out in the areas.

The big rainy season runs from the end of March to the beginning of June and is less recommended for safari tours, as the heavy rainfall makes many paths in the wildlife parks impassable.

Best time to travel for the great herd migration

The great animal migration (also known as "the great migration") is a fascinating natural spectacle. Every year, millions of wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate across the vast plains of the Serengeti to the Masai in Kenya, closely followed by their hunters, the lions, leopards and hyenas. To see the animals, you have to be in the right place at the right time:

• March - April: The herds stay in the east of the Serengeti, many young animals are born at this time. With the onset of the rainy season, the herds move further south
• May - June: From the south they move on to the west of the Serengeti
• July - August: The herds cross the Grumeti River and move towards the Massai Mara 
• September - October: In the Massai Mara the animals spend the dry season
• November: The herds move back into the Serengeti again

Best time for trekking tours on Kilimanjaro

During an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro you will have the unique opportunity to pass through different vegetation and climate zones. When you start in Moshi, it will probably still be a pleasant 25 °C and when you reach the summit, the temperatures will be around -10 to -15 °C. Therefore, be sure to pack the right clothes when you start your trekking tour.

Again, it is recommended to choose the dry season from August to October to avoid the rain showers. During this time, the weather is stable and the sun shines mostly all day, but there is also a lot of activity on the trekking trails. You will encounter fewer tourists in the period from January to March, but the weather is still very suitable for trekking tours.

Did the weather of Tanzania convince you and you are curious to discover more of the country? Then our Group travel is sure to have something for you. With us you can enjoy the climb Kilimanjaro and get to know the traditions and ways of life in Tanzania for yourself and experience breathtaking adventures.

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