Tanzania Safari Calendar
There is no specific time of year which is best to travel to Tanzania. Each season brings its own rewards.
January:
Wildebeest and zebra gather to birth on the Ndutu Plains of the southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conversation Area.
February:
The wildebeest and zebra migration remains in the Southern Plains of the Serengeti. This affords excellent sightings of cheetah and lion who are feasting on the many herds.
Birding in Ruaha is excellent – expect to see 300 species in a 5 day visit.
Head for the islands such as Zanzibar and Pemba for diving and snorkelling as the coral reefs are at their best.
March-April:
Start of the rains – the Serengeti is incredibly beautiful at this time but most people avoid it due to a lot of the camps being closed and the roads being impassable at times. The benefit of travelling to the Serengeti (and indeed the Northern Circuit) at this time of year is the dramatic skies and the many young animals around which allows for excellent viewing and photographic opportunities. It is also a relatively cheap time of year to visit the region and will suit families wanting to visit the region during the Easter holidays.
May-June:
The wildebeest and zebra migration moves north and by June are largely crossing the Grumeti River. The best place to base yourself at this time of year is the Western Corridor of the Serengeti.
The rains will remain usually until end of May.
July-August:
The Tarangire comes into its own in this dry season. The huge herds of animals, particularly elephants migrate towards the permanent waters of the Tarangire River making the Tarangire National Park an arguably a superior alternative to the Serengeti at this time of year.
This is the start of the dry season in Selous and Ruaha bringing with it excellent game sightings as the animals congregate around the rivers. In particular, in the Selous, the lions rely on an unusual opportunistic diurnal hunting strategy, staying close to the lakes waiting to pounce on animals coming to drink.
September - October:
Humpback whales move through the channel at Chumbe Island.
Huge herds of elephant congregate on the Tarangire River.
The Selous is really coming into its own at the end of the dry season. Large herds of mammals congregate around the five lakes including up to 50 giraffe at a time. You are also likely to see wild dog and spotted hyena.
November:
Visit the Serengeti and have the great plains all to yourself.
Elephants migrate from Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Conversation Area.
December:
The first migrants arrive.
The bush is lush and green after the short rains.