Are you dreaming of an unforgettable safari adventure in Tanzania? Planning the perfect safari requires careful consideration of the country’s unique rainfall patterns. With this comprehensive guide, you’ll gain valuable insights into Tanzania’s weather by month, helping you plan your safari for the ultimate wildlife viewing experience.

Understanding Tanzania’s Rainfall Seasons

Tanzania experiences two distinct rainy seasons: the long rains and the short rains. The long rains typically occur from March to May, while the short rains occur from October to December. Between these rainy seasons lies the dry season, which runs from June to September. Understanding these rainfall patterns is essential for determining the best time to visit Tanzania’s national parks and wildlife reserves.

Exploring Tanzania’s National Parks in the Wet Season (March – May)

Exploring Tanzania's National Parks in the Wet Season (March - May)

While the wet season may deter some travelers, it offers unique experiences for adventurous safari-goers. In March, the lush landscapes of parks like Selous Game Reserve and Katavi National Park come alive with vibrant greenery and abundant wildlife. Witnessing the calving season of wildebeest and zebras in the southern and western parks is a highlight of the wet season, offering a glimpse into the circle of life in the African bush.

Best Time to Visit During the Dry Season (June – September)

Best Time to Visit During the Dry Season (June - September)

During Tanzania’s dry season, wildlife congregates around water sources, making it an ideal time for safari enthusiasts. In June, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater offer unparalleled game viewing opportunities as animals gather in search of water and grazing. The clear skies and comfortable temperatures make it perfect for exploring Tanzania’s vast savannahs and spotting iconic species such as lions, elephants, and giraffes.

Navigating Tanzania’s Shoulder Seasons (October – December)

The shoulder seasons, between the long and short rains, offer a blend of experiences for visitors. In October, as the dry season transitions to the short rains, Tanzania’s national parks become a spectacle of wildlife activity. Witnessing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is a once-in-a-lifetime experience during this time, as thousands of animals traverse the plains in search of fresh grazing.

Planning Your Safari: Tips for Every Season

No matter when you choose to visit Tanzania, there are essential tips to keep in mind for a successful safari experience:

Pack appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions, including lightweight, breathable fabrics for the heat and warm layers for cool mornings and evenings.
Work with a reputable tour operator who can provide expert guides and comfortable accommodations tailored to your preferences.
Be flexible with your itinerary to take advantage of wildlife sightings and seasonal events such as the Great Migration.

Tanzania’s diverse rainfall patterns offer unique opportunities for safari-goers throughout the year. By understanding the country’s weather by month and planning your trip accordingly, you’ll embark on a safari adventure filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters and breathtaking landscapes. So, pack your bags and get ready for the safari of a lifetime in Tanzania!

Nonlone

2024-02-27

Very Wonderful Safari Trip Lappet Faced Safari left a very good impression on me about Safari. When discussing the itinerary, Francisco responded very promptly and provided a lot of useful suggestions; during the entire trip, there were no extra costs or extra services. During this trip, we are very grateful to our guide Mike, who worked tirelessly to help us find animals and introduced various animal knowledge, making us have a very enjoyable trip; we also booked a ride from Arusha to Kilimanjaro For the airport shuttle bus, thank you to Noel for his superb driving skills; and thank you to Francisco for helping us book a fruit lunchbox in advance so that we did not go hungry. We were very satisfied with this trip.

Scott

2024-02-25

7-Day Wildebeest Migration Safari We had an amazing 7-day safari visiting Tarangire National Park, the Ndutu region of southern Serengeti, Central Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater. Before arriving in Tanzania I had regular communication with Francisco, the owner of Lappet Faced Safaris. Francisco always responded promptly and answered all of our questions as we planned this custom safari. I was very impressed by his prompt and thorough responses to questions and his willingness to be flexible with our itinerary during the planning stages of this trip. We were met at the airport by our driver/guide, Amani, who accompanied us for the duration of the safari. To say that Amani went above and beyond was an understatement. He was an amazing guide and he did a great job in finding various wildlife and putting us in an excellent position to observe and photograph. He was also very good at answering our questions about the wildlife, the vegetation and the people of Tanzania. I was very impressed and I could tell that he enjoyed his work and that he knew what he was talking about when explaining things about different animals. It really made the trip a more complete experience. I was very pleased with our accommodations throughout our safari, as well as with the food. Everything matched the information that we received from Francisco when we were planning our trip. Lappet Faced Safaris is a small locally-owned safari company and they provide first-class service. I would highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in visiting Tanzania and experiencing a safari. Francisco is flexible in putting together a trip itinerary so do not hesitate to share what your interests are for your safari experience and he will work with you to meet those plans. We wanted to see the wildebeest migration during their calving season, as well as seeing other resident wildlife and what we experienced during our safari was simply amazing.

Kenny C

2024-02-21

Amazing experience The 3-day safari was an unforgettable experience and were extremely delighted we went with Lappet Faced Safaris for the trip. Our guide and chef were both extremely professional and they both went out of their way to make sure we had the best experience possible. We would 100% recommend this safari trip.

Tatiana C

2024-01-09

Breathtaking, Wild, Unforgettable!!!! MUST DO!!! That was an unbelievably wonderful experience of a lifetime! We had just 6 days in Zanzibar and 2 of them we decided to devote to safari in Tarangire and Ngorongoro national parks. It was one of the wisest decisions because the amount of emotions and feelings you would get from the beauty of the nature and animals you have seen only on discovery channel before would bring you infinite happiness and pure joy :))) Thanks to Lapped Faced Safaris for making it real! The service was exceptional. Francisco ( the owner of the company) was always in contact with us all the time. He answered all our million questions and made sure everything would go smoothly. He took care about everything from the moment we left Zanzibar and came back. Our guide/driver was the best guide we could imagine: attentive, caring, choosing the best angles to observe the animals. Together with him we saw all Big Five (leopard, lions, elephants, zebras and rhinos) and more))) however it’s always a matter of luck whom you would spot ;) Karankari lodge - is a gorgeous hotel I would highly recommend to stay at for 1 night between the safaris. Look forward to coming back for 3-4 days safari! Lapped Faced Safaris - THE BEST!

Sachin K

2023-11-25

Best expeirence Our guide was knowledgeable and very well behaved. The sunset tour has been remarkable. No issue at all Thanks....

Sandra M

2023-11-20

Epic Adventures On my recent trip, Michael and his crew (shoutout to Joshua, Stive, and Frank!) totally made the experience awesome. Their know-how and passion, along with the smooth coordination and personal touch, made every moment unforgettable. Seriously, I highly recommend this travel crew for an epic trip!

Abdul A

2023-11-18

Family-Friendly Adventure Lappet Faced Safari was an amazing experience for our family. The guides whose name Joseph were not only knowledgeable but also fantastic with kids, making it a great experience.

pami k

2023-11-17

Exemplary Expedition: A Journey Elevated by Expert Guides Embarking on a recent travel expedition, I was fortunate to have Michael as our guide. His expertise and passion for the destinations we explored added immense value to the journey. The seamless coordination and personalized touch from Michael and his team, including Joshua, Stive, and Frank, made every moment unforgettable. Their commitment to excellence was evident in the meticulous planning and insightful commentary. I highly recommend this travel experience, where the guides' dedication and knowledge elevate the trip to extraordinary heights.

Ranvir K

2023-11-16

Thrilling Night Safari Lappet Faced Safari's night safari was a thrilling addition to our adventure. Armed with spotlights, we delved into the nocturnal world of wildlife. From elusive predators to creatures of the night, the experience was both exhilarating and educational. A unique and captivating way to witness the diversity of the animal kingdom.

Mama B

2023-11-15

Sunset Safari Splendor Lappet Faced Safari took the traditional safari experience to new heights with their sunset tour. The colors of the African sky painted a breathtaking backdrop to our wildlife encounters. Watching the sun dip below the horizon while surrounded by nature's wonders was a mesmerizing and unforgettable spectacle.

Tanzania Rainfall Guide: Planning Your Safari by Month