What is the best time to visit Tanzania?

Best Time to Visit Tanzania

The best time to travel to Tanzania is during the dry season (June to October) and the long rains season (November to May).

Dry Season in Tanzania

The dry season in Tanzania runs from June to October and is the most popular time to visit. During this period, the weather is sunny and dry, making it ideal for safaris and outdoor activities. The temperatures are mild, ranging from the low to mid-20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit). The days are generally clear and sunny, with some occasional afternoon showers. This is the best time to view the wildlife in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The wildebeest migration also takes place during this season. There are also many festivals and cultural events that take place during the dry season, such as the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Tanzania

Tanzania in January

Weather

January is the hottest month of the year in Tanzania, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C (86°F). Rainfall is low, with the average rainfall being less than 10mm.

Events

• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in January, showcasing the best of African films and filmmakers.
• The Sauti za Busara music festival takes place in January, celebrating the best of African music.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in January, attracting runners from all over the world.
• The Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair is held in January, showcasing the best of Tanzanian businesses and products.
• The Serengeti Marathon is held in January, attracting runners from all over the world.

Tanzania in January

Weather

January is the hottest month of the year in Tanzania, with temperatures averaging around 27-30°C (80-86°F). Rainfall is low, with most of the country receiving less than 10mm of rain.

Events

• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in January, showcasing African films and filmmakers.
• The Sauti za Busara music festival is held in Zanzibar in January, bringing together musicians from all over Africa.
• The annual Lake Manyara Bird Festival takes place in January, providing bird-watching opportunities and educational activities.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in January, attracting runners from all over the world.
• The Serengeti Marathon is held in January, giving runners the chance to run through the Serengeti National Park.

Tanzania in March

Weather

March is the beginning of the dry season in Tanzania, and temperatures are generally warm and sunny. The average temperature is around 25°C (77°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of only 8mm (0.3in) of rain.

Events

• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in March. It is an annual event that showcases the best of African and international films.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in March. It is a challenging race that takes place at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• The Tanzania International Music Festival is held in March. It is a celebration of music from all over the world, with performances by local and international artists.
• The Great Migration is an annual event in March. This is when millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti in search of new pastures.
• The Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair is held in March. It is a major event that showcases the best of Tanzanian products and services.

Tanzania in April

Weather

April is the beginning of the dry season in Tanzania. Temperatures can range from a low of 16°C to a high of 28°C. The days are generally sunny with occasional showers.

Events

• The Kilimanjaro Marathon takes place in Moshi, Tanzania in April. It is a full marathon, half marathon, and 5K race.
• The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is held in Stone Town, Zanzibar in April. It is a week-long event that showcases films from all over the world.
• The Serengeti Migration Marathon is held in the Serengeti National Park in April. It is a full marathon, half marathon, and 10K race.
• The Zanzibar Cultural Festival is held in Stone Town, Zanzibar in April. It is a week-long event that celebrates the culture, music, and food of Zanzibar.
• The Great Migration is an annual event in the Serengeti National Park in April. It is a spectacular event in which millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate in search of greener pastures.

Tanzania in May

Weather

Tanzania in May is generally hot and humid, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s Fahrenheit (low 20s Celsius) to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (high 20s Celsius). Rain is common during this month, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches of rain.

Events

• The International Conference on Education and Development (ICED) is held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in May. This event brings together educators, researchers, and policy makers from around the world to discuss the latest trends in education and development.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in Moshi, Tanzania in May. This event is one of the most popular marathons in the country and attracts runners from all over the world.
• The Tanzania International Film Festival is held in Dar es Salaam in May. This event showcases the best of Tanzanian and international cinema, with screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in Zanzibar in May. This event celebrates the best of African cinema, with screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
• The Tanzania Music Festival is held in Arusha in May. This event brings together some of the best musicians from Tanzania and around the world for a celebration of music and culture.

Tanzania in June

Weather

June is the start of Tanzania’s dry season, and temperatures range from 22-30 degrees Celsius (72-86 degrees Fahrenheit). The days are hot and sunny, and the nights are cool.

Events

• The annual Kilimanjaro Marathon takes place in Moshi, Tanzania, in the first week of June. The marathon consists of a full marathon, half marathon, and a fun run.
• The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration is an annual event that takes place in the Serengeti National Park in June. This event is one of the largest mammal migrations in the world.
• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is an annual event that takes place in Zanzibar in June. The festival showcases films from around the world.
• The Great Migration is an annual event that takes place in the Serengeti National Park in June. This event is one of the largest mammal migrations in the world.
• The Ngorongoro Conservation Area hosts the annual Ngorongoro Conservation Area Festival in June. This event celebrates the culture and wildlife of the area.

Tanzania in July

Weather

July is the start of the dry season in Tanzania, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s Fahrenheit (18-20 Celsius) in the morning to the mid-80s Fahrenheit (27-30 Celsius) in the afternoon. Rainfall is minimal during this time of year, with most of the country receiving less than 1 inch of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The annual Nane Nane Agricultural Fair is held in Arusha during the first week of July. This event celebrates the agricultural heritage of Tanzania and includes displays of traditional farming techniques, competitions, and performances of traditional music and dance.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in Moshi during the second week of July. This event draws runners from around the world to compete in a full marathon, half marathon, or 10K race.
• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in Stone Town during the third week of July. This event showcases films from around the world, with a special focus on African films.
• The Great Migration begins in July, as millions of wildebeest and other animals make their way across the Serengeti in search of food and water. This event is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world and can be viewed from a number of safari lodges in the Serengeti.
• The annual Serengeti Balloon Safari is held in the fourth week of July. This event gives participants the chance to view the Great Migration from the air, as they take a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.

Tanzania in August

Weather

August is the hottest month in Tanzania. Temperatures can reach up to 30°C and humidity is high. The days are long and sunny, with occasional short showers.

Events

• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in August, showcasing the best of African and international films.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in August, attracting runners from around the world.
• The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration is in full swing in August, with thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Mara River.
• The Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair is held in August, showcasing the best of Tanzanian products and services.
• The Moshi Cultural Festival is held in August, celebrating the culture and traditions of the Chagga people.

Tanzania in September

Weather

September in Tanzania is the beginning of the dry season, with temperatures ranging from a low of 17°C (62°F) to a high of 32°C (90°F).

Events

• The International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21st in Tanzania.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in Moshi, Tanzania on September 29th.
• The Serengeti Wildebeest Migration takes place in the Serengeti National Park in September.
• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in Stone Town, Zanzibar from September 5th-9th.
• The Tanzania International Trade Fair is held in Dar es Salaam from September 11th-15th.

Tanzania in October

Weather

October is the beginning of the dry season in Tanzania. Temperatures are mild during the day, ranging from the mid-60s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (18-30 Celsius). Nights are cooler, with temperatures dropping to the mid-50s Fahrenheit (10-15 Celsius).

Events

• The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on October 1st in Tanzania.
• The Tanzania International Film Festival takes place in October, usually in the second half of the month.
• October is the start of the annual wildebeest migration in the Serengeti.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held in October.
• October is the start of the harvest season in Tanzania, with many crops being harvested throughout the month.

Tanzania in November

Weather

November in Tanzania is typically warm and dry, with temperatures ranging from the high 70s to the mid 80s (Fahrenheit). Rainfall is minimal during this month.

Events

• The Annual Zanzibar International Film Festival takes place in November, showcasing films from around the world.
• The Kisutu International Court of Justice in Dar es Salaam holds its annual session in November.
• The Tanzanian National Arts Festival is held in November, featuring traditional music, dance, and art from across the country.
• The International Conference on Sustainable Development is held in November in Dar es Salaam, bringing together experts from around the world to discuss sustainable development initiatives.
• The Annual Serengeti Marathon is held in November, allowing runners to experience the beauty of the Serengeti National Park.

Tanzania in December

Weather

December in Tanzania is typically warm and dry. Temperatures range from an average low of 24°C (75°F) to an average high of 31°C (88°F). Rainfall is low, with an average of only 2-3 inches (50-75mm).

Events

• The Zanzibar International Film Festival is held in Stone Town from December 5-13. The festival showcases films from around the world and features workshops, panel discussions, and live music.
• The Tanzania International Music Festival is held in Dar es Salaam from December 20-22. The festival features live music performances by local and international artists.
• The annual Christmas Festival is held in Arusha on December 25. The festival features traditional music and dance performances, as well as food and craft stalls.
• The Annual Great Migration is in full swing in December. This is the best time of year to witness the wildebeest and zebra migration across the Serengeti plains.
• The Kilimanjaro Marathon is held on December 28. The race starts and finishes at the Moshi Stadium and features a half-marathon, 10K, and 5K.