When should you go?

The best time to visit Tanzania, month by month: weather, where the Great Migration is, crowds and prices, and how the right month differs for safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.

Is there a bad time to visit Tanzania?

Not really. There are trade-offs rather than bad months. April and May are the long rains, which means the lowest prices and the greenest landscapes but also difficult roads and some camps closed. Everything else is a question of what you are optimising for: weather, wildlife, crowds or cost.

When is the Great Migration river crossing?

The Mara crossings generally run from July to October, with the Grumeti crossings in the western corridor around June. Nobody can promise a crossing on a given date. The herds move with the rain and can wait days on a riverbank before going. Longer stays in the north during those months improve your odds considerably.

Can I combine safari and Zanzibar in one trip?

Yes, and it is the most common combination we run. The seasons line up: the months that are good for safari are also good for the coast. Most people do the safari first and the beach afterwards, which is the right order. You would not want it the other way around.

When should I book?

For July to October, a year ahead is not excessive if you want particular camps. The good ones in the northern Serengeti fill early. For shoulder and green season, three to six months is usually comfortable.

Does the rainy season mean it rains all day?

During the short rains in November and December, almost never. You typically get a heavy afternoon downpour and clear mornings. The long rains in April and May are different and can settle in for days at a time.