Tanzania Safari Seasons – Best Time to visit tanzania

Discover the best time to visit Tanzania through its distinct safari seasons.
From the lush green months filled with newborn wildlife to the dramatic Great Migration across the Serengeti, each season offers a unique safari experience.
Whether you travel during the dry season for exceptional game viewing or the green season for vibrant landscapes and fewer crowds, Tanzania delivers unforgettable wildlife moments all year round.

Every season in Tanzania tells its own story. From the dry golden plains of the Serengeti to the lush green forests of Ngorongoro and Tarangire, nature changes in rhythm with the land. Here’s my local guide to choosing the perfect time for your safari adventure.

November – December: The Short Rains (Green Awakening)

The first rains arrive, bringing new life to the landscape. The plains turn green again, and migratory birds fill the skies.
This is a great time for photographers — soft light, dramatic skies, and fewer crowds.
In Lake Manyara and Arusha National Park, wildlife remains active and lodges offer more peaceful safaris.

🗺️ Best parks: Lake Manyara, Arusha National Park, Serengeti (southern plains)
📸 Highlights: Birdwatching, lush scenery, quieter game drives

June – October: The Dry Season (Peak Safari Months)

These months are considered the best time for wildlife viewing in Tanzania.
The skies are clear, temperatures are pleasant, and animals gather around shrinking water sources — making them easier to spot.
In the Serengeti, this is when the Great Migration reaches its dramatic climax as wildebeest cross the Mara River.
Meanwhile, Tarangire National Park becomes famous for its huge herds of elephants wandering through the golden savannahs.

🗺️ Best parks: Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire
📸 Highlights: River crossings, large predator sightings, breathtaking sunsets

Male lion walking through tall grass with zebras in the background on a Tanzania safari

March – May: The Long Rains (Quiet and Lush)

This is Tanzania’s greenest season, when the landscape bursts into color and life.
Rain showers are frequent, but often short, leaving behind stunning light and vibrant vegetation.
It’s also the most peaceful time to visit — with lower rates, fewer tourists, and a serene atmosphere in parks like Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.

🗺️ Best parks: Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Arusha National Park
📸 Highlights: Green vistas, newborn animals, dramatic skies

Crowned cranes at a waterhole with antelope in the background in Northern Tanzania

Wildebeest herd grazing on the green plains of Northern Tanzania during the Great Migration

January – February: Calving Season (New Life in the Serengeti)

In the southern Serengeti, thousands of wildebeest give birth to their calves.
This is one of nature’s greatest spectacles — within weeks, predators like lions and cheetahs follow the herds, creating intense wildlife action.
For those who love dramatic photography or family-oriented safaris, this season is unforgettable.

🗺️ Best parks: Serengeti (Ndutu area), Ngorongoro Conservation Area
📸 Highlights: Wildebeest calves, predator action, green landscapes

“When Is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?”
There’s truly no wrong season to explore Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit.
Each time of year reveals its own wonders — from the Great Migration thundering through the Serengeti to the newborn wildlife of the green season in Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
At Lyoseko Safaris Tanzania, I personally help every traveler find the best time to visit Tanzania, whether your dream is photographing predators, chasing golden light, or enjoying calm game drives through endless plains.