Most travelers skip Tanzania in May because it’s still labeled as rainy season.
What they miss is that the masika (long rains) is already winding down, especially in the northern parks.
The Serengeti drops to around 90 mm of rain over 18 days, well below April’s 155 mm peak, and each week is drier than the last. Temperatures settle between 16°C and 27°C, noticeably cooler than the hot months that came before.
On the Zanzibar archipelago, heavy showers still come through but become less frequent. Kilimanjaro is improving but not quite ready yet, especially in the first half.
After 14 years in Arusha, I see May as the month where the Serengeti starts waking up again. The herds are on the move, the wildebeest rut begins, and you’re still paying low-season rates while conditions get better by the day. For the full climate picture, see our Tanzania Climate guide.
Key Weather & Travel Details for May
Temperatures: 16–27°C (61–81°F) in the northern parks; 21–30°C (70–86°F) on the coast. Cooler and more comfortable than March or April
Rainfall: Decreasing through the month. Early May still has regular showers, late May starts feeling like dry season
Beaches (Zanzibar): Still occasional showers, but improving. Late May is noticeably drier
Packing: Light rain gear still useful in early May. Warm layers for cool evenings at altitude
Safari Conditions in May
May is when a safari in Tanzania starts transitioning from the green season into something more predictable. The rain doesn’t stop overnight, but it loses its intensity, and by the second half of the month the mornings are often clear and bright.
What makes May special is what’s happening with the herds. The wildebeest rut (mating season) begins, which means aggressive bull fights, constant noise, and a level of energy across the plains that’s completely different from the quiet calving months.
The herds are pushing northwest through the Serengeti toward the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River. I find this one of the most underappreciated phases of the migration: fewer spectators, plenty of action.
Regional Weather Breakdown
Zanzibar archipelago: The masika is fading. Humidity remains high but showers become shorter and less frequent. Late May works for beach travelers who don’t mind the odd rainy afternoon
Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara): Rain easing, especially from mid-month. Cool mornings (16°C), mild afternoons (27°C). Ngorongoro rim still cold and occasionally misty
Southern & Western Parks: End of their single rainy season. Some camps begin reopening late May, though roads may still be rough
Kilimanjaro: Early May still too wet for comfortable trekking. Late May improves, but June is the safer choice for a summit attempt
Travel Highlights & Considerations
Great Migration heads northwest: The herds move toward the Western Corridor and the Grumeti River, forming massive columns. The wildebeest rut adds drama: males compete aggressively for females, and the sound of thousands of animals calling carries across the plains
Still low season pricing: Lodge rates remain well below peak season, and availability is excellent. May offers some of the strongest value of the year, with improving conditions that April can’t match
Green landscapes, quiet parks: The Serengeti is still lush, and visitor numbers remain very low. Tarangire and Lake Manyara are similarly peaceful
Tropical cyclones: The SW Indian Ocean cyclone season officially ends April 30, though late-season activity is possible. Cyclone Hidaya made landfall on Mafia Island in early May 2024, a rare but real event. The risk remains very low, and the northern safari parks are not affected
What Most Travelers Don’t Know About May
May has a couple of things going for it that most planning guides overlook.
The wildebeest rut is electric: If you’ve only seen the migration in calving or river-crossing footage, the rut will surprise you. Males chase, fight, and bellow nonstop. I’ve watched guests put their cameras down just to take in the sheer noise and chaos of it
Late May is a preview of dry season: By the last week, the rain is nearly gone, skies clear up, and the temperature drops into a comfortable range. You get dry-season conditions at green-season prices
How May Compares to April and June
April is the wettest month, with heavy daily rain, some closed camps, and Kilimanjaro off limits. May improves on every front: less rain, reopening camps, better roads, and the herds in active movement toward the Western Corridor.
June marks the official start of the dry season and peak safari conditions. But it also brings higher prices and more visitors. If you want the sweet spot between value and weather, the second half of May delivers both.
The weather in Tanzania in April is shaped by the masika, the long rains that make this the wettest month of the year. The Serengeti receives around 155 mm over 22 days, Arusha climbs to 340 mm, and temperatures settle between 16°C and 28°C in the northern parks.
You’ll feel the rain everywhere, though. The Zanzibar archipelago hits peak humidity, Kilimanjaro trails are best avoided, and several camps in the southern parks shut down for the season. On paper, April looks like a month to skip.
But here’s what most people don’t realize.
After 14 years organizing safaris from Arusha, I’ve seen that April attracts travelers happy to trade sunshine for empty parks, dramatic skies, and the lowest prices of the year.
The wildlife doesn’t disappear just because it’s raining, and the Serengeti transforms into something most visitors never get to see.
Temperatures: 16–28°C (61–82°F) in the northern parks; 22–31°C (72–88°F) on the coast. Noticeably cooler than the previous two months, especially at altitude
Rainfall: The heaviest of the year. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and can be intense, though mornings are often clear
Beaches (Zanzibar): Heavy rain and high humidity make this a poor month for beach or diving
Packing: Serious rain gear: waterproof jacket, waterproof boots, dry bags for camera equipment. Warm layers for wet evenings at altitude, insect repellent for the wetter conditions
Safari Conditions in April
April is the most challenging month for a safari in Tanzania, but it’s far from impossible.
The northern parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara) remain open year-round and game drives run daily.
What changes is the rhythm: heavy afternoon thunderstorms, tall grass that makes spotting smaller animals harder, and some secondary roads that become tricky.
Still, the wildlife is very much there, and you’ll likely have every sighting to yourself. I’ve had guests in April who spent an entire morning watching a cheetah hunt without a single other vehicle in sight.
Regional Weather Breakdown
Zanzibar archipelago: Peak of the masika: very heavy rain, humidity above 80%, mostly overcast even at 31°C. Better to wait
Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara): The masika is in full force, but main roads hold up. Cool mornings (16°C), warm afternoons (28°C). Ngorongoro rim can be foggy and genuinely cold
Southern & Western Parks: Heaviest stretch of their single rainy season (Nov–Apr). Some camps close (Nyerere/Selous, Katavi), roads can become impassable. Focus on the Northern Circuit
Kilimanjaro: Heavy rain turns trails muddy with reduced visibility. The dry season from June is a much better bet
Travel Highlights & Considerations
Lowest prices of the year: Lodge and camp rates drop 30–50% compared to peak season (Jul–Sep). For flexible travelers, this is when Tanzania becomes genuinely accessible on a tighter budget
Great Migration: The herds are moving through the Central Serengeti in long columns, passing the Moru Kopjes and Seronera area. Quieter than calving or river crossings, but tens of thousands of animals marching through green plains with storm clouds behind them is a sight that speaks for itself
Empty parks: You’ll share the Serengeti with almost no one. It’s just you, your guide, and whatever walks out of the grass
Birdwatching at its peak: Migratory species in bright breeding plumage, residents nesting. If you’re a birder, Lake Manyara and Tarangire in April are hard to beat
Tropical cyclones: April has the most documented cyclone landfalls on the Tanzanian coast (1872, 1952, 2019), though Cyclone Hidaya reached Mafia Island in early May 2024. The risk remains very low, and northern parks are not affected
What Most Travelers Don’t Know About April
April has a couple of strengths that rarely make it into the standard planning guides.
The Serengeti at its greenest: Rain, volcanic soil, and millions of grazing animals turn the plains an electric green. When afternoon light breaks through after a storm, the photography conditions are extraordinary. I’ve seen professional photographers fly in specifically for April because of that light
Ngorongoro Crater stays productive: Even at the height of the masika, the crater floor sits sheltered by its own rim, so visibility is often better than on the surrounding highlands. The resident lions, elephants, flamingos, and black rhino don’t go anywhere
How April Compares to March and May
March is the transition month: its first half is still reasonably dry, while the second tips into the masika. By April, the rains are fully established and the landscape has completely transformed.
May marks the tail end of the masika: rain eases in the second half, and the herds push northwest toward the Western Corridor. If April feels too wet, early May offers similar green landscapes with improving conditions at equally low prices.
April is not for everyone, but for the right traveler it offers something no other month can: Tanzania at its quietest, greenest, and most affordable.
It depends on which half of the month you’re looking at. The first two weeks feel like an extension of February: dry, warm, and still deep in the calving season across the Serengeti.
The second half is a different story, as the masika (long rains) arrives and changes everything.
Temperatures stay between 16°C and 29°C in the northern parks, but rainfall jumps to around 130 mm in the Serengeti and 135 mm in Arusha, which is actually its warmest month of the year.
Meanwhile, the Zanzibar archipelago gets hotter and more humid, and on Kilimanjaro the last trekking window of the secondary season closes around mid-month.
Most travel agencies label March as “off season” and leave it at that. But after 14 years here in Arusha, I think of it as two different trips packed into one calendar month. Book the first half and you get late calving with February-level wildlife at a fraction of the cost.
Temperatures: 16–29°C (61–84°F) in the northern parks; 23–32°C (73–90°F) on the coast
Rainfall: Increasing through the month. First two weeks often dry, second half noticeably wetter. Afternoon thunderstorms become more frequent
Beaches (Zanzibar): Hot and humid (32°C+), sea at 29°C. First half still good for diving, second half less predictable
Packing: Fleece for cool mornings, lightweight clothes for the day, proper rain jacket, waterproof bag for camera gear
Safari Conditions in March
March is a split decision for a safari in Tanzania. Before the 15th, conditions are close to February: calving winds down on the Ndutu plains, predators are still active, and the skies cooperate. The herds begin drifting toward the Moru Kopjes and Seronera in Central Serengeti.
After mid-month, the masika settles in and the rhythm shifts. Showers get longer, some side roads turn muddy, and you’ll want proper rain gear.
But here’s the thing: the wildlife doesn’t care about the rain.
I’ve had some of the best lion sightings of my career during March storms, with zero other vehicles around.
Regional Weather Breakdown
Zanzibar archipelago: Increasingly humid. First half still sunny enough for snorkeling, but by late March rain becomes frequent and sea visibility drops
Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara): The masika kicks in during the second half. Mornings still cool (14–16°C), afternoons warm (29°C). Ngorongoro rim stays cold, bring warm layers
Southern & Western Parks: Peak of their single rainy season. Some camps close (Nyerere/Selous, Ruaha). Focus on the Northern Circuit
Kilimanjaro: First two weeks still viable. From mid-March, heavy rain on the southern slopes makes trails muddy and slippery. Better to wait for June
Travel Highlights & Considerations
Great Migration in transition: The last calves are born in early March, and the herds start breaking into long columns heading northwest from Ndutu toward Seronera. Less predictable than the calving peak, but also far less crowded
Low season pricing kicks in: Camp rates start dropping mid-month, with reductions of 20–30% compared to peak season. For budget-conscious travelers, early March is arguably the best value window of the year
Green season photography: Grasslands turn deep green, skies fill with dramatic clouds, and the post-rain light is exceptional. A completely different Serengeti from the golden dry-season images most people picture
Quiet parks: You can spend a morning in Tarangire or Lake Manyara and barely see another vehicle
What Most Travelers Don’t Know About March
March has a couple of openings that the peak-season crowds never experience.
Early March = hidden value: The first two weeks deliver February-level wildlife at low-season prices. We regularly recommend this window to couples and families who want the calving experience without the February crowds or costs
The Serengeti in bloom: The rains trigger wildflowers across the plains: yellow Sodom apple, scarlet fireball lilies, and aster daisies. This is the lushest the park gets all year
How March Compares to February and April
February is the peak of the kiangazi and the calving spectacle. March starts similarly but tips into the masika around mid-month, and with it the calving ends and the herds begin moving.
April brings the full force of the rains (155 mm+ in the Serengeti), with some southern camps closed and Kilimanjaro off limits. If you’re choosing between the three, March is the compromise: some of February’s conditions in the first half, none of April’s extremes, and lower prices across the board.
The weather in Tanzania in February is warm to hot across the northern parks, with temperatures between 16°C and 29°C and slightly more rain than January. February is the hottest month of the year in most of the country and the peak of the kiangazi, the dry pause between the two rainy seasons.
It’s also the peak of the wildebeest calving season in the Serengeti, with thousands of calves born every day on the Ndutu plains.
After 14 years in Arusha, I consider February one of the most rewarding months for a safari. The wildlife spectacle is at its most intense, and the parks are still far from the July to September crowds. For a broader view of Tanzania’s climate across all months, see our Tanzania Climate guide.
Key Weather & Travel Details for February
Temperatures: 16–29°C (61–84°F) in the northern parks; 23–32°C (73–90°F) on the coast. February is typically the hottest month, especially at lower altitudes
Rainfall: Slightly more than January. Around 65 mm in Arusha, 100 mm in the Serengeti, spread over 12–14 days. Still mostly brief afternoon showers
Beaches (Zanzibar): Very hot and humid (32°C+). Sea at 29°C, the warmest of the year. Good diving and snorkeling visibility continues
Packing: Same as January: fleece for morning game drives (14–16°C at dawn), light breathable clothes for daytime heat, sunscreen, light rain jacket
Safari Conditions in February
February is one of the best months for a safari in Tanzania. The calving season is at its peak in the Southern Serengeti, and the concentration of prey and predators on the Ndutu plains makes for exceptional game drives.
The grass is still short from months of grazing by millions of animals, so visibility across the open plains is excellent. Green landscapes after the vuli provide a photogenic backdrop that the dry season can’t match. Rain falls mostly as brief afternoon showers and rarely disrupts a full day in the field.
Regional Weather Breakdown
Zanzibar archipelago: Hottest and most humid month. Temperatures reach 32°C+, sea at 29°C. Diving and snorkeling visibility still good under the kaskazi (NE monsoon). Good for beach travelers who enjoy tropical heat
Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara): Still in the kiangazi. Warm days (up to 29°C), cool mornings (14–16°C). The Serengeti sees ~100 mm over 14 days, slightly wetter than January but still manageable. Ngorongoro rim: mornings below 10°C, warm layers essential
Southern & Western Parks: Mid-rainy season (single season Nov–Apr). Hot (30°C+), increasingly humid. Northern Circuit remains the better choice
Kilimanjaro: Last reliable trekking window before the masika arrives in March. Conditions still relatively dry, base temperatures warm (25–30°C). By late February, moisture increases on the southern slopes
Travel Highlights & Considerations
Wildebeest calving at its peak: This is the main reason to visit in February. Roughly 500,000 calves are born within a 2 to 3 week window, concentrated on the Ndutu plains and the short-grass areas of the southern Serengeti. The density of newborns draws lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals in numbers you won’t see at any other time of year
Great Migration: The herds are still concentrated between Naabi Hill and Lake Ndutu, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. By late February, some groups begin shifting west toward Seronera as the first masika rains approach. The Ndutu Great Migration Safari is designed specifically for this period
Fewer crowds than peak season: February is busier than January (the calving draws more visitors), but still far quieter than July to September. Booking the Ndutu area camps in advance is recommended, especially for mid-February
Birdwatching: European and northern African migratory species still present, many in breeding plumage. Resident species also active. Lake Manyara and Tarangire remain productive
Tropical cyclones: Same low risk as January. The SW Indian Ocean cyclone season runs Nov–Apr (extended to mid-May for some island nations), but documented landfalls on Tanzania occurred in April and one in early May 2024. Northern parks unaffected
What Most Travelers Don’t Know About February
February has a couple of things going on that most safari planning guides skip over.
Whale sharks at Mafia Island: Last full month of peak season (Nov–Feb). Roughly 200 resident whale sharks feeding close to the surface. By March, sightings become less reliable
Everything is calving: Not just wildebeest. February triggers birthing across the ecosystem: zebra foals, gazelle fawns, warthog piglets, baby baboons, wobbly giraffe calves. Predators with their own cubs take advantage. The entire food chain is on display
How February Compares to January and March
January and February share the same season (kiangazi) and the same location for the herds (Southern Serengeti/Ndutu), but the calving is just beginning in January while February is the peak. Rain is slightly higher in February (~100 mm vs ~80 mm in the Serengeti), and temperatures are a touch warmer.
March is the turning point: the masika (long rains) arrive in the second half of the month, rain increases sharply, and the herds start moving northwest toward Central Serengeti. If you want the calving at its most intense with still-dry conditions, February is the sweet spot.
February is the month where the Serengeti ecosystem runs at full intensity. If your priority is wildlife action, this is as good as it gets.
The weather in Tanzania in January is warm and mostly dry across the northern safari parks, with temperatures ranging from 16°C to 29°C and only light, intermittent rainfall. January marks the start of the “kiangazi”, the brief pause between the two rainy seasons.
It’s also the beginning of the wildebeest calving season in the Serengeti, the Zanzibar archipelago is hot and ideal for diving, and Kilimanjaro offers a good trekking window.
After 14 years of living in Arusha, I can say January is one of the most underrated months to visit Tanzania. Here’s what you need to know to plan your trip. For a broader view of Tanzania’s climate across all months and regions, see our Tanzania Climate guide.
Key Weather & Travel Details for January
Here is a quick snapshot of what to expect across the country this month.
Temperatures: 16–29°C (61–84°F) in the northern parks; 23–32°C (73–90°F) on the coast. Hot during the day, cool mornings at altitude.
Rainfall: Light and intermittent in the north. Around 65 mm in Arusha, 80 mm in the Serengeti, spread over 12–14 days. Rain typically falls as brief afternoon showers.
Beaches (Zanzibar): Hot and humid (30°C+). Coral reef visibility is good. Peak diving and snorkeling season.
Packing: Fleece and windbreaker for morning game drives (14°C at dawn), light clothes for daytime (28°C by noon), sunscreen always. Light rain jacket just in case.
Safari Conditions in January
January is an excellent month for a safari in Tanzania. The “vuli” (short rains) have just ended, the Northern Circuit parks are in a dry pause, and the Southern Serengeti is entering calving season. Predators are already converging on the Ndutu plains.
The grass is short from months of grazing, giving you clear sightlines across the open landscape. Rain is light and falls mostly as brief afternoon showers. Roads are in good condition and game drives run without interruption.
Regional Weather Breakdown
Conditions vary by region in January. Here is how the main areas compare.
Zanzibar archipelago: Hot (30°C+), humid, sea at 29°C. Visibility improves after the “vuli”: peak season for snorkeling and diving. Occasional short afternoon showers.
Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Lake Manyara): In the “kiangazi”, the dry pause between the “vuli” and the “masika”. Warm days (up to 29°C), cool mornings (14–16°C). Light rain, ~80 mm over 14 days, mostly late afternoon. Ngorongoro rim: mornings below 10°C, bring layers.
Southern & Western Parks: Mid-rainy season (single season Nov–Apr). Hot (30°C+), humid. Northern Circuit is the stronger choice for January.
Kilimanjaro: Good trekking month. Relatively dry, clearer skies than during the “masika”. Base temperatures 25–30°C. Secondary trekking window (Dec–early Mar).
Travel Highlights & Considerations
Beyond the weather, several things make January stand out for travelers.
Wildebeest calving: The main event. Two million wildebeest and zebras concentrated in Southern Serengeti and Ndutu. Calving starts late January, peaks in February. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and jackals converge on the open plains. I’ve organized safaris during calving season for years, and it remains one of those experiences where even the guides stop what they’re doing to watch.
Great Migration: Yes, you can see it in January. The herds are on the short-grass plains between Naabi Hill and Lake Ndutu, near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Volcanic soil produces nutrient-dense grass for pregnant females. By late January the first calves arrive, drawing every predator onto the open plains. Visibility is excellent.
Fewer crowds, better value: January falls outside peak season (July to September). Parks are quieter, lodges have more availability, pricing is lower.
Birdwatching: Migratory species from Europe and northern Africa join the residents, many in bright breeding plumage. Tarangire and Lake Manyara (400+ species) are particularly productive.
Tropical cyclones: January is within the SW Indian Ocean cyclone season (Nov–Apr), but Tanzania’s risk is very low. Most documented landfalls occurred in April (1872, 1952, 2019), with one rare May event in 2024. Northern parks are unaffected and disruptions on Zanzibar are extremely uncommon.
What Most Travelers Don’t Know About January
January has a few things going on that rarely make it into the standard safari brochure.
Whale sharks at Mafia Island: About 160 km south of Zanzibar, Mafia Island hosts roughly 200 resident whale sharks. January falls in the peak snorkeling season (Nov–Feb), when plankton blooms draw them close to the surface. Water is warm (28–29°C), visibility is good.
The Ndutu plains in bloom: After the “vuli”, the short-grass plains around Ndutu start producing the first wildflowers of the season. It’s not the peak bloom (that comes with the “masika” in March and April), but the scattering of color across the volcanic soil creates a Serengeti that looks nothing like the dry, golden plains most people picture.
How January Compares to December and February
December is the tail end of the “vuli” (short rains), with occasional heavier showers and the herds just arriving in the Southern Serengeti from the north. By January, the rains have eased, the herds are settled on the Ndutu plains, and the calving is about to begin.
February takes everything January offers and turns it up: the calving hits its peak (up to 500,000 calves in 2 to 3 weeks), predator activity is at its highest, and temperatures are slightly warmer. If January is the opening act, February is the main event.
January works for a certain type of traveler: someone who wants to see the migration, doesn’t mind occasional afternoon rain, and prefers fewer crowds. The weather cooperates, the wildlife delivers, and you don’t have to fight for a spot at the waterhole.
Sources
The data in this guide draws on the following independent and institutional sources.
Tanzania sits just south of the equator, but calling it “tropical” doesn’t tell you much.
After 14 years of living in Arusha, I can tell you that the climate here has very little in common with what most people imagine when they think of equatorial Africa.
The country spans from sea level to 5,895 meters at the summit of Kilimanjaro, and that altitude range is what really shapes the weather.
On any given morning in July, you could be shivering at 8°C on the Ngorongoro Crater rim while the coast of Zanzibar sits at a comfortable 28°C.
Understanding Tanzania’s climate matters for one practical reason: it affects what you’ll experience on the ground, whether that’s a safari, a trek, or a week on the beach.
This guide breaks down the key data: temperatures, rainfall, seasons, and regional differences, so you can plan with actual numbers, not vague descriptions.
Key Climate Data
Tanzania’s climate is primarily tropical but heavily modified by altitude.
Most of the country’s interior sits on a plateau at 900–1,500 m, with mountain ranges climbing to 2,100–3,000 m and Kilimanjaro topping out at 5,895 m.
That elevation gradient creates dramatically different conditions across relatively short distances.
Average Temperatures
Annual averages vary enormously depending on where you are:
Zone
Altitude
Avg Annual Temp
Typical Range
Coast & Islands (Zanzibar, Dar)
Sea level
26°C (78°F)
23–32°C
Central Plateau (Dodoma)
900–1,200 m
23°C (73°F)
18–30°C
Northern Safari Circuit (Serengeti)
1,100–1,500 m
22°C (71°F)
14–29°C
Highlands (Arusha, Ngorongoro)
1,350–2,300 m
18–20°C
8–28°C
Mountain Zones (Kilimanjaro)
4,000–5,895 m
Below 0°C
-29°C to 10°C
The takeaway: altitude matters more than latitude.
The Serengeti and Zanzibar are at roughly the same latitude, but you’ll want a fleece jacket for early morning game drives in the Serengeti and a swimsuit for Zanzibar.
I’ve seen travelers land in Arusha in July wearing shorts and sandals, expecting tropical heat, and regretting it by the next morning’s 6 AM game drive.
Rainfall
Tanzania receives most of its rain in two distinct wet seasons in the North and one longer wet season in the South.
Only about half the country gets more than 750 mm of rain per year. The distribution is uneven. Even within the Serengeti, rainfall ranges from under 800 mm in the semi-arid South-East near Olduvai Gorge to about 1,400 mm in the North near the Mara River.
Northern Tanzania (where most safaris take place) follows a bimodal rainfall pattern: two rainy seasons separated by two dry seasons.
The South and West follow a unimodal pattern with a single, longer rainy season.
One thing the data doesn’t show: even during the rainy seasons, it rarely rains all day, and the temperature is pleasant.
Mornings are usually clear. The typical pattern is sunshine until early afternoon, then a heavy downpour for an hour or two, then it clears again. Game drives in the morning are often unaffected.
Temperatures Month by Month
Tanzania doesn’t experience traditional four-season temperature swings like North America or Europe. Instead, temperature patterns follow the four climate seasons. Here’s what to expect in the main safari and travel areas.
Long Dry Season (June–October)
The cooler, driest time of year. Mornings are cold at altitude, genuinely cold, not just “a bit fresh.” Afternoons warm up under clear skies.
June: 15–27°C (Serengeti), 14–22°C (Arusha). Dry season begins. Crisp mornings.
July: 14–26°C (Serengeti), 13–23°C (Arusha). Coldest month. Ngorongoro rim drops below 10°C at night.
August: 15–27°C (Serengeti), 14–24°C (Arusha). Still cool, slightly warming. Very dry.
September: 15–28°C (Serengeti), 14–26°C (Arusha). Warming steadily. Driest month in many areas.
December: 16–28°C (Serengeti), 16–27°C (Arusha). Warm and intermittently wet. Green season begins.
Short Dry Season / “kiangazi” (January–February)
A break between the two rainy seasons, most noticeable in northern Tanzania. These are the hottest months of the year, particularly at lower altitudes and on the coast.
February: 16–29°C (Serengeti), 16–28°C (Arusha). Typically the hottest month overall. Sultry at lower elevations.
Long Rains / “masika” (March–May)
The heaviest rainfall of the year. April is the wettest month almost everywhere. Humidity climbs, particularly at lower altitudes. But temperatures actually drop slightly during the rains compared to February.
March: 16–29°C (Serengeti), 17–28°C (Arusha). Rain increases through the month. Second half noticeably wetter.
April: 16–28°C (Serengeti), 17–25°C (Arusha). Wettest month. Arusha receives up to 340 mm. Heavy afternoon storms.
Tanzania’s climate varies as much by region as by season. Here’s what to expect in the main travel zones.
Coastal Regions & Zanzibar Archipelago
The coast is hot and humid year-round. Unlike the highlands, temperatures don’t change dramatically between seasons.
Temperature: 23–32°C year-round, with February the hottest month
Sea temperature: 25.5°C (August, coolest) to 29.5°C (February–March, warmest)
Winds: Southeast trade winds (“kusi“) from June through October, the most pleasant season: dry, slightly cooler, consistent breezes. Northeast monsoon (“kaskazi“) from December through March, bringing hotter, more humid conditions
Best months:June–October and January–February
Wettest period: Long rains in March–May, with April the heaviest
Central Plateau (Dodoma)
Not on most safari itineraries, but useful context: Tanzania’s interior is far drier than most people expect.
Rainfall: Only about 607 mm per year, the driest region in the country. Droughts are common
Temperature: 18–30°C, with more dramatic day-night swings than the coast
Rainy season: A single season from November through April (unimodal pattern)
Highlands (Serengeti, Ngorongoro)
This is where most safaris take place, and where the climate surprises people the most. The Northern Circuit also includes Tarangire and Lake Manyara, which share similar highland conditions at slightly lower elevations.
Serengeti (1,100–2,000 m):
Daytime: 20–29°C, comfortable in a t-shirt by mid-morning
Nights: 14–16°C, cool, especially during the dry season
Rainfall: Varies dramatically by zone. Under 800 mm in the semi-arid South-East (near Olduvai Gorge), up to 1,400 mm in the North (near the Mara River)
Ngorongoro (crater rim at 2,300 m):
Mornings: 8–10°C in June/July, cold enough for a proper jacket
Crater floor (1,700 m): Warmer than the rim, but the descent takes time
Rain: Possible even in the dry season as isolated thunderstorms at altitude
I’ve watched travelers underestimate Ngorongoro and spend the first hour of the drive wishing they’d packed differently. If you take one piece of clothing advice from this article: bring a warm layer for morning game drives.
Mountain Zones (Kilimanjaro)
Kilimanjaro is its own climate system. From the park gate at around 1,800 m to the summit at 5,895 m, you cross five distinct ecological zones:
Bushland (800–1,800 m): Warm and humid
Rainforest (1,800–2,800 m): Wet and misty, heaviest rainfall on South/South-East slopes
Moorland (2,800–4,000 m): Cool, open heathland
Alpine Desert (4,000–5,000 m): Extremely dry, extreme day-night temperature swings
Arctic/Summit (5,000–5,895 m): Permanently below freezing, temperatures can reach -29°C
Temperature on Kilimanjaro isn’t determined by the season. It’s determined by your elevation. You can start a day at 28°C at the base and finish in -15°C at high camp.
Best trekking months:June through October (primary window) and January through early March (secondary, milder but slightly less reliable). Avoid March through May: muddy trails, poor visibility, dangerous conditions.
Best Time to Visit
The “best” time depends entirely on what you’re planning to do. I go into much more detail in dedicated guides for each activity, but here’s a brief overview.
Wildlife Safaris
Different times of year offer different safari experiences:
The dry season (June–October) offers the best overall game viewing. Vegetation is shorter, animals concentrate around water sources, and roads are in good condition. July through September is peak season, which means more visitors and higher prices, but the wildlife viewing justifies both.
January and February are excellent for the Southern Serengeti, where the wildebeest calving season draws predators and provides some of the most dramatic wildlife action of the year. Fewer tourists than peak season, and prices are lower.
The long rains (March–May) are the quietest months. Game viewing is more challenging: tall grass, dispersed animals, some muddy roads. But the Serengeti stays open and accessible, birdwatching is superb, and prices are at their lowest.
The Great Migration runs year-round across different parts of the Serengeti ecosystem, so there’s always something happening regardless of when you visit.
Worth noting: January and February are the peak months for the Southern Serengeti, but the rest of the park is far less crowded, giving you wildlife sightings without a line of vehicles. As for the long rains, if you don’t mind occasional showers, you’ll be rewarded with lush green landscapes and total peace and quiet.
Zanzibar
June through October and January through February are the best months. Dry, warm, and ideal for both beach and water activities. Diving and snorkeling visibility peaks in January and February.
The long rains from March through May make beach time less reliable. Heavy downpours are frequent, especially in April.
Kilimanjaro Trekking
June through October is the primary trekking season: drier trails, cooler temperatures, and better summit visibility. January through early March is a solid secondary window, slightly warmer at the base, with clear conditions at altitude before the long rains set in.
Avoid March through May for Kilimanjaro. Muddy trails, poor visibility, and slippery conditions make it unsafe and unpleasant.
Tropical Cyclones
Tanzania’s coast falls within the South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season (November to April), but landfalls are rare. Only six direct landfalls have been recorded in over 150 years, most recently Cyclone Hidaya on Mafia Island in May 2024. The northern safari parks are inland and at altitude, so they are not affected by cyclone activity. Coastal travel in April and early May carries a very low but non-zero risk of indirect effects such as stronger winds and heavier rain.
Tanzania Climate Month by Month
Each month in Tanzania brings different conditions, different wildlife patterns, and different opportunities. I’ve written a detailed guide for every month of the year, covering specific temperatures, rainfall data, safari conditions, and practical advice for planning your trip.
Tanzania is one of the most sought-after destinations for safari and adventure lovers.
To fully enjoy the stunning national parks, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the dreamy beaches of the Zanzibar archipelago, it’s essential to consider how the climate changes across different seasons.
In this travel guide, we outline Tanzania’s climate month by month, both in the national parks and in the Zanzibar archipelago.
What Are Tanzania’s Climate Zones?
Tanzania’s climate is as diverse as its landscapes.
From the cool highlands to the sweltering coastal plains, the country’s geography creates a variety of weather patterns.
Coastal Areas & Islands (including Zanzibar): Tropical, humid, and hot year-round but with a distinct wet and dry season.
Plateau & Inland Areas (like Serengeti): Semi-arid with significant temperature swings between day and night.
Highlands (including Kilimanjaro and Ngorongoro): Cool and temperate, with colder temperatures at higher altitudes.
Each zone adds a layer of nuance to the Tanzania climate, making it vital to consider your destination when planning.
The Dry Season in Tanzania
The dry season runs from June to October, coinciding with some of the best times to visit Tanzania.
During this period, rainfall is scarce, the skies remain clear, and temperatures are generally comfortable.
Conditions to expect during the dry season
Safari-ready landscapes: Grass is shorter, making wildlife easier to spot.
Cool nights, warm days: Average daytime temperatures range from 77–86°F (25–30°C), cooling down significantly at night, especially in higher-altitude areas.
Perfect for Kilimanjaro climbing: Minimal rainfall means safer trekking conditions.
Best Activities During Dry Season
Witnessing the Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti.
Climbing Kilimanjaro, with clearer skies and more stable weather.
Relaxing in Zanzibar with limited rain and pleasant temperatures.
The Wet Season in Tanzania
Tanzania’s wet season is divided into two parts.
Short Rains (November to December): Rainfall is brief and sporadic, often making mornings sunny with occasional afternoon showers. It’s a quieter time for tourism but still perfect for visiting many areas.
Long Rains (March to May): This is Tanzania’s true rainy season, with heavy rains that can last several hours. Roads in national parks may become muddy, making access to remote safari destinations more challenging.
Conditions to expect during the wet season
Vibrant greenery and lush landscapes.
Wildlife disperses due to ample water sources, making spotting animals slightly trickier.
Reduced prices on tours and accommodations, as it’s considered the off-peak season.
Best Activities During Wet Season
Birdwatching is phenomenal as migratory birds arrive during the rains.
A quiet safari experience without large tourist crowds.
Average Monthly Rainfall & Temperatures in Tanzania
Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of Tanzania’s climate.
January & February
Average Temp: 70–88°F (21–31°C)
Less rain compared to March; wildlife viewing still good
March to May (Long Rains)
Average Temp: 66–84°F (19–29°C)
Heavy rain but stunning landscapes for photography
June to October (Dry Season)
Average Temp: 63–81°F (17–27°C)
Peak safari season; excellent visibility for wildlife
November & December (Short Rains)
Average Temp: 68–86°F (20–30°C)
Scattered showers, vibrant vegetation, and fewer visitors
Best Time to Visit Tanzania
The best time to visit Tanzania depends on the activities you want to enjoy.
Safari & Wildlife Viewing: June to October offers the best conditions for game drives, as animals gather around limited waterholes.
Kilometers of Beaches: Zanzibar is idyllic during January to February or June to October, when rainfall is minimal, and skies are clear.
The Best Time to See the Great Wildebeest Migration
One of the largest wildlife phenomena in the world, the Great Wildebeest Migration, is a year-round spectacle in the Serengeti. Here’s how the migration aligns with Tanzania’s climate:
January to March – Calving season in the southern Serengeti. Thousands of baby wildebeests are born, attracting predators.
May to July – Wildebeests move northward and begin the dramatic river crossing.
July to September – Best time to witness the thrilling Mara River crossing as herds move into the Masai Mara in Kenya.
October to December – Wildebeest herds migrate back to the Serengeti.
If the migration is the highlight of your trip, plan strategically based on the time of year and the location of the herds.
Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro
For adventure seekers and trekking enthusiasts, one of the most exciting challenges in Tanzania is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
The best time for trekking is during the dry season (from January to March and from June to October).
During these months, the weather is more stable with minimal risk of rain, making the climb safer and more enjoyable.
At higher altitudes, however, be prepared for very cold temperatures, especially at night.
Important: avoid April and May, when the rainy season can make the trails slippery and dangerous.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
After exploring the parks, Zanzibar is the perfect destination to relax.
The climate in Zanzibar is hot and humid year-round, but the dry season (June to October) is ideal for enjoying the breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear waters.
The months between November and December are marked by short rains, but the sun doesn’t stay away for too long.
However, be aware of the long rainy season (March to May), as the rains can be more intense and continuous.
Many resorts offer promotions during this period, making it an interesting option for those looking for a more budget-friendly experience.
Tanzania is one of Africa’s classic safari destinations, most famous for the great wildebeest migration where a herd of about two million wildebeest and zebra make their epic annual journey with numerous predators on their heels. The best safari to Tanzania takes you to vibrant parks for unparalleled game viewing and dazzling tropical beaches of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. On top of this, for hikers, Tanzania is home to Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro, with highest peak at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet).
The best safari in Tanzania is seen when the destinations, accommodations, transportation and so on are carefully chosen and well arranged by professional agent and safari expert. If you want to enjoy your safari to Tanzania, we recommend you choose Mid-range accommodations or Luxury ones. Mode of transport on your safari in Tanzania is also the key factor to consider because in some places you experience rough and bump roads and during rainy season it’s difficult to pass and hence you need comfortable Safari Car. We recommend you choose a 4×4 Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruisers. Let also your safari expert to choose an experienced safari guide for you who knows the country in and out so that you can enjoy full history of wildlife and the country in general.
Accommodation
When planning a safari to Tanzania, where to stay often comes near the top of the list. Tanzania itself is among the destinations with the best accommodation facilities. These accommodation facilities categorized into hotels, lodges, camps, resorts, Inn, etc. In Tanzania, there are varieties of options, from luxury, medium-range to low-range accommodation, located either inside or outside the parks and reserves.
The number of days for safari and budget are the most prerequisite foci to consider when planning which accommodation property to use. However, for a better start, we normally recommend an overnight on mid-range facilities in order to decide whether to go higher or lower than the medium range price. We also recommend an overnight inside the park in order to have enough time for a game drive and other activities, if not accommodation facilities outside the parks are the best for travelers with limited budgets. In some of the destinations such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we recommend an overnight on the lodges at the crater rim so that to have the best view of the crater. Some of the preferred lodges are Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, and luxurious lodges such as &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
In Tarangire National Park, we recommend an overnight either inside the park with the lodge such as Tarangire Safari Lodge or outside the park in a Wildlife Management Area with accommodation facilities like Maramboi and Burunge Tented Lodges.
In Serengeti, most of the accommodation facilities are located inside the park. Selection on where to stay depends on the month of travel in relation to the movement of the Great Migration; however, the central part of the Serengeti has many accommodation facilities, as it is an ideal destination for game drive throughout the year.
Nevertheless, we have a small town of Karatu where many accommodation facilities found here ranging from five to three stars. We recommend two to three nights here to some of the lodges like Ngorongoro Marera Mountain View Lodge, Farm of Dreams, Kudu Lodge, Country Lodge,ìì and other luxurious lodges like Gibb’s Farm, Plantation Lodge and Oldeani Mountain View Lodge when clients are doing activities in either Tarangire, Manyara, Mto wa Mbu, Lake Eyasi and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Great Migration Safari
This is the largest herd movement of animals in the world with the great columns of wildebeest seen from space. It is the collection of around 1.2 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebras accompanied by topi and other gazelle which move in a constant cycle through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Their main aim of migrating is to search for nutritious grass and water. Other than the migrating animals, predators like lions, leopards, cheetah, hyena, wild dogs, and crocodiles can also be seen searching for food which is the migrating animals. In summary, calving takes place in the southern part of Serengeti near Ngorongoro Conservation Area then the journey through Serengeti starts in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in Kenya, then they return to Tanzania near the end of the year to start their annual movement again.
The Great wildebeest Migration are not the most predictable because this Migration is entirely dependent upon rain, fresh grasses and other factors. Therefore, we recommend you to check with our safari expert.
Great Migration in January, February and March
During this period, animals are found in the Southern part of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. During this period, this place is rich in nutritious grass which is a good condition for the wildebeest to breed and raise their newborn calves. During this period nearly 400,000 calves are born within a period of two to three weeks.
During this period, the wildebeest herds start their migration to the North-West for the fresher grass around Central Serengeti where they are joined by the zebra and small groups of antelopes. Also in this period towards the end of May, mating seasons begins as male wildebeest battle for it. Animals then start to move toward the West side of Serengeti called Western Corridor crossing the Grumeti River.
Great Migration in June and July
This is the dry season and animals must be searching for water therefore they concentrate in the Western Serengeti and on the Southern banks of the Grumeti River. In this area, they face the great challenge of crossing the river from the crocodile who is also searching for food. Toward the end of June the migration head North along the Western edge of the park where they face even more risk of crossing Mara River in the North of Serengeti. The river crossing is one of the most exciting wildlife events in the world.
Great Migration in August, September and October
This is the period when the migrating animals face the big challenge of crossing the Mara River with the river in full flow and predators waiting for them. Animals are seen spread throughout the Masai Mara Northern region while many remain in the Northern Serengeti. By September to October, the migration moves towards Eastward though they will face another challenge of crossing Mara River once more when they prepare to cross for their return journey toward Southward.
We recommend the following safari program in this period:
In this period, wildebeests moved down from Kenya to Eastern Serengeti in Tanzania. By December, they are found spread throughout the Eastern and Southern area of Serengeti. As the grasses are lush in the South of Serengeti during the end of December and New Year, this draws the herds of wildebeest and other animals towards that area where the cycle continues as the calving season starts again.
The Great Wildebeest Migration divided into summer and winter migration. For more information concerning the safari program with winter or summer migration kindly contact our safari expert – contact us.
The Great Migration in Tanzania
Tanzania Luxury Safari
A luxury Tanzania safari is really something wonderful, unique and amazing. From the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro to the national parks and conservation areas such as Ngorongoro Crater with the highest density of wild animals, the Serengeti with endless plains and Great Migration and Tarangire a home of elephants and baobabs trees, and Zanzibar Island for beach relaxation.
During your Tanzania luxury safari, you will meet wildlife herds, forests, and charming local people. Join our amazing and knowledgeable safari and trekking guides team on your safari. Savannah Explorers offers professional and vaccinated guides making you safe with the current situation of Covid-19.
Your Tanzania luxury safari is combined with luxury safari accommodations such as AndBeyond, Elewana, Wellworth, Serena properties, and others in order to have a real taste of luxury safari. You can choose to spend some nights at Fours Season Serengeti Lodge and Melia Serengeti Lodge while in Serengeti and you get to see some animals drinking water very close just from your sleeping room, because both these lodges have designated water holes for animals to drink water.
This experience will truly define your Tanzania luxury safari. You can enjoy Tanzania’s luxury safari everywhere while in Tanzania, even if you choose to visit Southern circuit parks such as Nyerere park as you still sleep in luxury accommodation like Serena Mivumo Luxury Hotel.
You can finish your Tanzania luxury safari by combining with Zanzibar for beach relaxation and stay in luxury resorts such as Gold Zanzibar, Melia Zanzibar, Zuri Zanzibar, Riu Palace, and others.
Discover a vibrant luxury safari experiences on Tanzania’s parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and other parks, here is one of our offers
Zanzibar archipelago located in the eastern part of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean at 15 miles coasts of the mainland, it is a wonderful spot to relax when visiting Tanzania for safari. It consists of many smaller islands and two larger ones called Unguja and Pemba Island. The capital city is located on the island of Unguja that consists of Stone Town, the historical midpoint recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The two unique islands offer different safari experiences that are exceptional from all other destinations worldwide. The best experiences to discover in Zanzibar are such as:
Wildlife – Here we refer to Jozani National Park, the rainforest of Ngezi and the mangrove habitat all of them offers a wide variety for sightseeing both flora and fauna.
Zanzibar Culture & Tradition – If you are looking to learn about Swahili culture then Zanzibar will be your best choice. The famous heritage site is Stone town with a collection of both Swahili cultures and ancient buildings such as Kizimkaz Mosques and Maruhubi Palace will make your trip unforgettable.
Sea Safari – The safari on the sea offers you a wide experience to learn about marine species. The famous sea safari is like Mnemba Marine Nature Reserve.
Local Cuisine – The local food in Zanzibar are somehow delicious and they have a meaning in relation to the Swahili Culture. They are a variety of fresh foods in Zanzibar such as fruits, spices and seafood.
The best way to end your unforgettable adventure in the savannah of Tanzania is to have few days for beach relaxation in Zanzibar. For more information concerning the program with safari and beach relaxation in Zanzibar, kindly check with our safari expert – contact us.
A black mane lion in Serengeti – Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater Safari: meet The Big Five
Ngorongoro crater is the famous and largest intact volcanic caldera that was formed about 3 million years ago. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only protected area where human beings interact with wildlife.
Ngorongoro Crater is the best site in East Africa where you can see all the Big Five. The big five are the animals that are hard to be hunted in the wild. This includes Elephants, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. Due to the presence of the big five, Ngorongoro crater is an ideal destination to visit when planning a safari in Tanzania or East Africa.
Visitors can plan a tour in this beautiful crater all time of the year because the wildlife mainly remains in the crater all year round.
Embark on safari to Ngorongoro with Savannah Explorers and keep your eyes peeled to spot African Lion, African Leopard, African Elephant, Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros and other interesting animals. Check the safari program for Ngorongoro crater:
Serengeti, Tarangire and Ngorongoro: the Tanzania Park Tour
Safari in the northern circuit refers to the best and frequently visited parks in Tanzania, which are Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. The eight days safari is best during the months of June to September as it allows clients to enjoy the most exciting sighting such as the Great Migration crossing Mara and Grumeti Rivers when heading to Masai Mara Game Reserve. The safari can be tailored in relation to the client’s request, budget and month of traveling. Contented accommodation and the use of customized 4 x 4 safari vehicle with professional guides finalizes the elements of this safari.
Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro are among the reserves with large number of visitors. With five nights safari program, it is possible to enjoy these three parks. For more information concerning the program for five nights safari check our program and contact our safari expert:
The Northern Circuit is busy on peak season months mostly from July to early October, so if you visit by that time then be ready to meet many tourists. Otherwise, if you want to avoid crowds, we recommend you visit in November, March, April, and May. Still December, January and February you find many tourists too. The good advantage of visiting Northern Circuit is that, many tour operators are based in Northern Circuit cities such as Arusha and Moshi, hence you can be assisted any time in case of any emergency.
Are you looking to have an unforgettable safari experience in Tanzania? Then choose to visit the Northern Circuit National Parks in Tanzania. In the Northern Circuit is where you see the best and famous parks in Tanzania such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Arusha Park. In these parks, you have a high chance to spot the Big Five animals: Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant and Black Rhino. On top of this, if you visit the Serengeti national park, then you have a high chance to witness the Great Migration and this event will remain in your memory for your lifetime. This migration is not happening in the same location of the park rather animals migrate from one place to another, so we advise you to check with your safari expert to recommend a good place to see it depending the season.
Enjoy the Great Migration in the Serengeti plains, majestic lions, towering giraffes, lethargic hippos and a variety of other interesting prairie wildlife in the Northern Circuit of Tanzania, this is the best safari for your trip:
Lake Manyara National Park is one the most famous parks found in the Northern Circuit. The park is well known for its groundwater forest, the Great Rift Escarpment, variety of birdlife with more than 400 species including migratory birds and tree-climbing lions. The game drive is the most common activity conducted within the park. In addition, other activities are canopy walks, walking safari, bird watching and boat riding around Lake Manyara. Outside the park, the village of Mto wa Mbu offers culture tours to the visitors, biking tours, curio shops and accommodation facilities.
No matter how many number of days you have for safari, we offer different programs that fits with your days and budget. An example of short safari with limited number of days is the following program:
Ruaha National Park is the second largest park in Tanzania from the first largest park called Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous Game Reserve. Ruaha National Park covers around 13,000 sq km in area. The name of the park is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which is the heart of the park. The river flows from the South-East area of the park and it is an ideal area for game viewing. The park is known for its largest elephant population and also common animals seen are elephants, leopards, lions, buffalo, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, hippopotamus, spotted hyena, wild dogs, kudu, sable antelope and others. There are also multiple reptiles and amphibians in this park such as monitor lizards, agama lizards, snakes and crocodiles.
Moreover, Ruaha National park is the best park to spot bird species. 570 bird species are believed to be here, some of which are migrating birds arriving from within and outside Africa. Not only animals and bird’s species available there but also there are more than 1,650 species of plants that are inhabiting this park. Inside Ruaha National Park there is only one lodge called Ruaha River Lodge, it’s a nice lodge as you can see game throughout the day from the veranda. Still inside the park there are different tented camps and tented lodges, like Mdonya River Camp.
The park can be reached by car or plane and it’s easy to reach this park from Dar Es Salaam although still is far by driving and hence we recommend you combine with Mikumi National Park to reduce the long distance driving.
Selous Game Reserve
This is the largest protected game reserve in Africa covering an area of 54,600 square kilometers. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature. It is located in the Southern part of Tanzania which is about 219 kilometers from Dar es Salaam which may take about 4 hours’ drive. Also, visitors can use aircraft or train to visit Selous from Dar es Salaam.
This game reserve is comprised of a vast wilderness with forests, grassy plains, mountains, and open woodlands. It also has a large number of wild animals like elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas and jackals, black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, buffalo, antelopes, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra and a lot of birds. No permission for the permanent human habitation inside the reserve. Most of the reserve is set aside for game hunting but it is through some privately leased hunting and it is a popular tourist destination.
Inside this game reserve, crosses the Rufiji River which is the largest river in the country.
The African Elephant in Tanzania
Fly-In Safari to Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park
Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park are the parks found in the Southern Circuit of Tanzania. The Selous Game Reserve to the South of Mikumi is great for game drives, river experiences on the Rufiji River and also for walking safaris. Ruaha National Park just West of Iringa is the gem of the Southern circuit for game drives and other activities.
These parks can be easily visited from Dar Es Salaam City. You can fly from Dar Es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve for at least 2-3 nights. Then fly again to Ruaha National Park, also here we recommend 2-3 nights. After enjoying Ruaha National park you finally fly back to Dar Es Salaam where you connect flight back home or to next destinations like Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia for beach relaxation. If you prefer to enjoy more game drive safaris, it’s possible also to fly from Selous or Ruaha to other Tanzania tourist circuits especially Northern Circuit comprising of Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangore, Lake Manyara and others. Our safari expert for southern Circuit parks will advise you season, days and reliable flights to make your safari experience to Selous and Ruaha unforgettable. For more details we welcome you to contact us.
Contact our office to book your safari in Tanzania: info@savannahexplorers.com – WhatsApp +255 765 972 458
Swahili is one of the most loved language spoken in Africa especially on the east coast of Africa. People who speak Swahili as their mother tongue language are usually referred as Waswahili. In Tanzania Swahili is the language of administration and used as a tool of teaching in primary education level. However in Kenya and Uganda Swahili is after English since English language in both these countries is the main language. Furthermore, Swahili is also spoken in different countries such as Rwanda, Congo (DRC) and even in central and southern countries. In fact, Swahili language is used much in sub-Saharan Africa and is the most taught African language in the world, with a very rich literary tradition.
What is Swahili?
The name Swahili originates from Arabic language which means ‘of the coast’, This Swahili was named from the Arabic word sawaahili (سواحلي), which means ‘of the coast’, which you would use to refer to coastal people. The east coast of Africa is an area extending from Lamu Island, Kenya, in the north to the southern border of Tanzania in the south. The Bantu languages form a subgroup of the Benue-Congo branch of the Niger-Congo language family. Swahili (kiswahili) has 80 to 110 million speakers, but interestingly, very few speak it as their mother tongue and 90 million speak it as a second language.
Open to multiple influences, Swahili is first of all a Bantu language (family of Niger-Kordofanian languages), of which it has some fundamental characteristics such as the high number of nominal classes or genres, and simple phonetics with the tonic accent almost always on the penultimate syllable of words. The declension of nouns and adjectives is based not on the variation of the endings, but on the use of prefixes that specify the nominal class and the number (singular or plural).
The verbal system is complex in that, through the precise concatenation of prefixes and suffixes, the person, the tense and the root are merged in one word.
From a lexical point of view, modern Swahili incorporates terms coming mainly from other African languages and to a lesser extent from Arabic, Persian, Hindi and English. Then come Portuguese, German and French terms, often reserved for specific sectors such as, for example, navigation, religion or law.
A curiosity of the Swahili is the unusual way of counting the hours of the day starting from sunrise, always at 6 in the morning, and ending at sunset, always at 6 in the evening. According to this system, 9 a.m. becomes 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. is 3 p.m.
Brief history and origin
Swahili originated from an African language of Bantu, where Bantu refers to people who speak Bantu languages. Swahili (from the Arabic sahel, coast, shore or border) was born on the east coast of Africa over 1000 years ago, as a language for merchant exchanges between Africa and Asia.
The routes of the caravans of merchants and blacksmiths first, and European colonization later, pushed the Swahili to spread from the ports overlooking the Indian Ocean to the internal regions of the African continent.
Thus born as a commercial language, Swahili is a Bantu language with important contributions derived from the Arabic, Persian and Hindi languages.
Initially written with Arabic characters, it later adopted the Latin alphabet, enriching itself in the colonial period with terms from Portuguese, English and German.
In 1930 it was defined the “standard Swahili” alongside which many dialectal variations still persist, from the Zungibar kiunguja to the kimrima of the Tanzanian coast, passing through the Congolese kingwana, the Somali chimwiini and the Nairobi sheng, to name just a few.
Although the entire East African community recognizes itself in this language, in Tanzania Swahili has played an authentic political role as it has been one of the pillars of the construction of the national identity, becoming the official language of the country together with English.
Let’s learn some Swahili proverbs and common words:
Dalili ya mvua ni mawingu
Literal translation: Clouds are a sign of rain
Meaning: You can predict your success by watching for the right signs.
Haraka haraka haina baraka
Literal translation: Hurry, hurry has no blessing
Meaning: Haste makes waste.
Wapiganapo tembo wawili ziumiazo nyasi
Literal translation: When two elephants fight it’s the grass that gets hurt
Meaning: When the rich and powerful contend with each other it is the weak and powerless who pay the price.
Some Swahili common words which can be useful during your safari in Tanzania are
jambo! hello
habari gani? how are you?
Mzima wa Afya, all right
na wewe? and you?
asante, thank you
chakula chema, enjoy your meal
tafadhali, please
samahani, sorry
safari njema, good trip
siku njema, good day
kwaheri, goodbye
hakuna matata, no problem
shillingapi?, how much?
unaitwa nani? what’s your name?
karibuni! welcome!
haya! ok
simba, lion
kifaru, rhino
tembo, elephant
swala, gazelle
kiboko, hippopotamus
twiga, giraffe
Last but not least, in order to avoid confusion depending on the way you pronounce Swahili words, you should know some few words about ‘what not to say and do’ such as ‘Maziwa’ it can refer to milk but sometimes Swahili speakers also use it as a word for breast. So to avoid confusion in speaking Swahili when visiting amazing people in Tanzania, allow Savannah Explorers team who know to use Swahili words properly so that they introduce you to these Tanzanians where Swahili is their mother tongue language. Contact us at SavannahExplorers.net for your unforgettable safari in Tanzania.
