Seasonality
Seasonality
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JANUARY
This is peak season in northern Tanzania and one of the best times of year to visit, with the combination of good weather, clear air, stunning scenery, wildflowers, great birding and amazing wildlife. In southern & western Tanzania there tends to be more thunderstorms as the humidity builds, resulting in the game becoming a little more dispersed but still a great time to visit. The chimping down in Mahale is still in full flow. Walking safaris tend to come to a stop in January due to the grasses becoming longer in many parks and therefore unsafe.
WEATHER - There is a chance of rain, particularly in southern Tanzania where the temperatures and humidity are rising.
VEGETATION - The landscape is beautifully lush, green and fresh.
GAME EXPERIENCE - In northern Tanzania there are still great numbers of elephants in Tarangire and the Ngorongoro is looking its best. In the Serengeti it is calving season and the migration herds are spread across the whole southern Serengeti eco-system, which also attracts predators from far & wide. In southern Tanzania the game viewing can still be fantastic with good resident game. Birding is brilliant.
BIRD WATCHING - November to May offer superb bird viewing opportunities as migratory birds arrive in their thousands.
INSECTS - Insects and bugs are prevalent with rains.
FEBRUARY
This is peak season in northern Tanzania and one of the best times of year to visit, with the combination of good weather, clear air, stunning scenery, wildflowers, great birding and amazing wildlife. In southern & western Tanzania there tends to be more thunderstorms as the humidity builds, resulting in the game becoming a little more dispersed but still a great time to visit. The chimping in Mahale is still in full flow. Walking safaris tend to come to a stop in January due to the grasses becoming longer in many parks and therefore unsafe.
WEATHER – There is a chance of rain, particularly in southern Tanzania where the temperatures and humidity are rising.
VEGETATION – The landscape is beautifully lush, green and fresh.
GAME EXPERIENCE – In northern Tanzania there are still great numbers of elephants in Tarangire and the Ngorongoro is looking its best. In the Serengeti it is calving season and the migration herds are spread across the whole southern Serengeti eco-system, which also attracts predators from far & wide. In southern Tanzania the game viewing can still be fantastic with good resident game. Birding is brilliant.
BIRD WATCHING – November to May offer superb bird viewing opportunities as migratory birds arrive in their thousands.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs are prevalent with rains.
MARCH
Travel experience remains similar to January and February but with an increasing risk of rain. It's a great month to visit, with tourism numbers down and the scenery looking its best, making for amazing photography opportunities. The cats also start to hang out more on the kopjes rather than the long grass, to get better views of game and keep away from insects.
WEATHER – Short wet season. Rain increases and temperatures rise towards the end of March.
VEGETATION – The landscape is beautifully lush, green and fresh.
GAME EXPERIENCE – Depending on how much rain there has been will determine how spread out the wildlife is, but game viewing across the country typically remains very good. Newly born wildebeest calves are roaming the southern grass plains, much to the delight of the awaiting predators.
BIRD WATCHING – November to May offer superb bird viewing opportunities as migratory birds arrive in their thousands.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs are prevalent with rains.
APRIL
Rains can be particularly heavy in April. Some private guides love this time of year because you have the parks to yourself. It very rarely rains every day or all day, so as long as you’re willing to risk a bit of rain then you can be rewarded with amazing wildlife, dramatic weather and camps all to yourself. Game viewing is still possible in Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Fantastic rates can be gained.
WEATHER – Tropical downpours are expected with hot and humid temperatures.
VEGETATION – The landscape is beautifully lush, green and fresh.
GAME EXPERIENCE – The heavy rains tend to make getting around very difficult and southern and western Tanzania shut down for a couple of months. However the game viewing in Ngorongoro and the Serengeti is still very good.
BIRD WATCHING – November to May offer superb bird viewing opportunities as migratory birds arrive in their thousands.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs are prevalent with rains.
photography. Some game disperses but generally game viewing opportunities are still good and it is a great time to take advantage of low season rates.
WEATHER – There is a chance of rain, although this typically comes in the form of thunderstorms and adds a layer of drama.
VEGETATION – Fresh shoots and foliage starts to appear and the landscape greens up and feels alive again after a long dry season.
GAME EXPERIENCE – A chance of rain across the country results in some game dispersing but typically pretty good game viewing. The migration typically starts it's move down south, stopping in central Serengeti until the southern grass plains have greened up, normally by mid- December.
BIRD WATCHING – Green season offers superb bird watching opportunities.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs can be more prevalent with rains.
MAY
Rains are still heavy, but begin to lessen near the end of the month. Similar experience to April. Fantastic rates can be gained.
WEATHER – Tropical downpours are expected with hot and humid temperatures.
VEGETATION – The landscape is beautifully lush, green and fresh.
GAME EXPERIENCE – As the rains ease off the wildebeest migration start moving up into central and western Serengeti to be close to permanent water.
BIRD WATCHING – November to May offer superb bird viewing opportunities as migratory birds arrive in their thousands.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs are prevalent with rains.ve down south, stopping in central Serengeti until the southern grass plains have greened up, normally by mid- December.
BIRD WATCHING – Green season offers superb bird watching opportunities.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs can be more prevalent with rains.
JUNE
The beginning of the dry season sees an instant increase in travellers. Early season can still be pretty wild and the grasses are still long so travellers may have to work harder to find the game. It's not possible to do walking safaris due to the long grasses.
WEATHER – The beginning of the dry season as well as the start of winter in Tanzania. It can be surprisingly cold in the evenings and early morning, particularly in northern Tanzania & Ruaha, where the parks are at higher altitude. Day times tend to be sunny and warm. At night, the higher altitude camps can be much colder than the average night time temperature and even a frost can be experienced.
VEGETATION – As the rains begin to ease, the land becomes drier and the bush begins to thin.
GAME EXPERIENCE – Wildlife viewing is generally more difficult in early June due to the thick bush and long grass. In the Serengeti the migration tends to be in central and westernSerengeti, with some regular river crossings occurring.
BIRD WATCHING – Bird watching opportunities are superb as the parks are full of migratory birds.
INSECTS – Mosquitos are around all year and guests should cover up in the evenings and take precautions not to be bitten.
JULY
As grass gets lower and eaten away, walking resumes. Cool mornings and evenings, but normally sunny days. The seasonal water holes are drying out which means that game is starting to congregate around the remaining permanent water sources, making it easier to find game. It's a beautiful time of year.
WEATHER – The beginning of the dry season as well as the start of winter in Tanzania. It can be surprisingly cold in the evenings and early morning, particularly in northern Tanzania & Ruaha where the parks are at higher altitude. Day times tend to be sunny and warm. At night, the higher altitude camps can be much colder than the average night time temperature and even a frost can be experienced.
VEGETATION – As the rains begin to ease, the land becomes drier and the bush begins to thin.
GAME EXPERIENCE – The seasonal water sources begin to dry up and the game starts congregating close to the remaining water sources, so game viewing opportunities are at its best. This is the best time to visit Katavi and Ruaha where huge herds of buffalo come head to head with lions. In the north the Great Migration tends to make its way up to the northern Serengeti and some herds head up into the Lamai wedge and the Masai Mara. There are almost daily river crossings happening along the Mara River as the migration seek fresh grass.
INSECTS – Mosquitos are around all year and guests should cover up in the evenings and take precautions not to be bitten.
AUGUST
As grass gets lower and eaten away, walking resumes. Cool mornings and evenings, but normally sunny days. The seasonal water holes are drying out which means that game is starting to congregate around the remaining permanent water sources, making it easier to find game. It's a beautiful time of year.
WEATHER – There is little to no rain and the day time temperatures start increasing but evening temperatures remain cool.
VEGETATION – The land is dried out and the bush has thinned.
GAME EXPERIENCE – The seasonal water sources begin to dry up and the game starts congregating close to the remaining water sources, so game viewing opportunities are at its best. This is the best time to visit Katavi and Ruaha where huge herds of buffalo come head to head with lions. In the north the Great Migration tends to make its way up to the northern Serengeti and some herds head up into the Lamai wedge and the Masai Mara. There are almost daily river crossings happening along the Mara River as the migration seek fresh grass.
INSECTS – Mosquitos are around all year and guests should cover up in the evenings and take precautions not to be bitten.
SEPTEMBER
Large congregations of game around the permanent water sources. Great sightings and lots of action.
WEATHER – There is little to no rain and the day time temperatures start increasing but evening temperatures remain cool.
VEGETATION – The land is dried out and the bush has thinned.
GAME EXPERIENCE – Another fantastic month of game viewing across the country. The elephant migration in Tarangire is at full flow and it's one of the best places in Africa to see elephants in this number.
INSECTS – Mosquitos are around all year and guests should cover up in the evenings and take precautions not to be bitten.
OCTOBER
Large congregations of game around the permanent water sources. Great sightings and lots of action.
WEATHER – Day time temperatures start increasing and even the evenings are warm, particularly in southern and western Tanzania where the humidity rises dramatically.
VEGETATION – The land is dried out and the bush has thinned.
GAME EXPERIENCE – In the north game viewing continues to be very strong and the migration is still located across northern Serengeti and up into Kenya. River crossings remain very good as herds start getting ready to head south. It tends to be very hot during the middle of the day, so the best game viewing is in the early mornings and late afternoons.
INSECTS – Mosquitos are around all year and guests should cover up in the evenings and take precautions not to be bitten.
NOVEMBER
The rain comes as a welcomed relief after 5+ months of dry season, bringing some colour back into the scenery, which is great for photography. Some game disperses but generally game viewing opportunities are still good and it is a great time to take advantage of low season rates.
WEATHER – There is a chance of rain, although this typically comes in the form of thunderstorms and adds a layer of drama.
VEGETATION – Fresh shoots and foliage starts to appear and the landscape greens up and feels alive again after a long dry season.
GAME EXPERIENCE – A chance of rain across the country results in some game dispersing but typically pretty good game viewing. The migration typically starts it's move down south, stopping in central Serengeti until the southern grass plains have greened up, normally by mid- December.
BIRD WATCHING – November sees the return of many migratory birds.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs can be more prevalent with rains.
DECEMBER
The rain comes as a welcomed relief after 5+ months of dry season, bringing some colour back into the scenery, which is great for photography. Some game disperses but generally game viewing opportunities are still good and it is a great time to take advantage of low season rates.
WEATHER – There is a chance of rain, although this typically comes in the form of thunderstorms and adds a layer of drama.
VEGETATION – Fresh shoots and foliage starts to appear and the landscape greens up and feels alive again after a long dry season.
GAME EXPERIENCE – A chance of rain across the country results in some game dispersing but typically pretty good game viewing. The migration typically starts it's move down south, stopping in central Serengeti until the southern grass plains have greened up, normally by mid- December.
BIRD WATCHING – Green season offers superb bird watching opportunities.
INSECTS – Insects and bugs can be more prevalent with rains.
