Tanzania in November

This is one of the most underrated months to go on safari in Tanzania. You will definitely have some rain to contend with, but it is usually in the form of periodic afternoon thundershowers.

Wildlife at a waterhole in Tanzania

The northern parks in general are great for game year-round and although the Serengeti receives rain, this means that the wildebeest will be moving south across the plains to make the most of this moisture. If they have not already arrived from Kenya, they will do by November.

Hot air ballooning over the Serengeti can give you a new perspective

Roads remain open and rivers low, so exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations and getting around is still relatively straightforward even as the landscape transforms from desolate brown to lush green before you eyes. The wide-open plains take on the appearance of a golf course with short grass that adds colour without obscuring wildlife sightings. With billowing cumulus clouds and the smoke and dust washed away, this is once again a great month for photography.

Tarangire National Park starts heating up from November onwards and can get rather humid with the start of the summer rain season.

Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is a major attraction

Tanzania in December

December falls in the midst of the short rains so except some rain and wet weather. Tourist numbers are low for the first half of the month, but for two weeks over Christmas and New Year everything is choc-a-block, so it’s best to avoid the last-minute rush and book well in advance. December is a great time for bird watchers as many migratory birds arrive. This is particularly good in southern parks such as Selous and Tarangire National Park in the north is a birdwatchers’…

Tanzania in January

Tanzania experiences two rainy seasons and two dry seasons: the short dry season runs from late January to early March, and the long dry season from June to October. In between are the short rains of November to January and long rains from late March to May with April being an extremely wet and challenging month to get around. The country’s parks and attractions are at their busiest during the long dry season months of June to September with July and August (European and American…

Tanzania in October

The thunderclouds are building and late October usually sees the arrival of the first rains. The wildebeest are heading south again; Kilimanjaro climbing remains popular throughout October; and wildlife viewing is superb with little vegetation to obscure the high quality sightings. Tourist numbers are considerably lower over this shoulder season period, rendering the most popular tourist attractions a more appealing proposition once more. Mahale Mountains National Park is fully…