When to Visit

Plan Your Year-Round Adventure

Due to the variable climate in most of the world, many travelers are worried about the implications of visiting during the off season. Newcomers to Tanzania expect to spend the rainy season inside all day, missing out on the fun of a safari, but this is far from the truth.

Unlike London or Seattle, rain in Tanzania doesn't mean all-day storms. Instead, the wet season brings heavy but brief mid-afternoon rain showers that often cease in an hour or less. As Northern Tanzania is in close proximity to the equator, temperature fluctuations are minimal all year round.

For visitors from the U.S. and Europe, seasons may be a little backward.

• Late December to March: dry season with warmer temperatures
• March to May: the rainy season, what locals call the long rains (six to eight weeks of rain)
• June to October: dry season with cooler temperatures
• November and early December: a shorter rainy period, what locals call the short rains (four weeks of rain)

The Beauty of the Wet Season

The phrase "wet season" doesn't necessarily sound like a good time to vacation, but we think that the wet season offers amazing opportunities for travelers willing to take the leap. Instead of the depressing gray clouds most visitors picture, rain in Tanzania is light and fresh, leaving bright skies, rainbows, and blossoming foliage in its wake.

We love the wet season for many reasons, including:

• Empty parks for a more private experience
• Lower prices for big savings
• Great birdwatching as the migratory birds like the widowbird and whydah return to the Serengeti
• No dust from safari vehicles, providing a cleaner experience with better light and atmosphere for photography