The best wildlife viewing months in Tanzania are during the Dry season from late June to October. The best chance of seeing the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti is during June and July and the time to see the wildebeest calving is late January to February. The southern circuit parks are best visited during the dry-season (June to October), unlike the more popular northern circuit parks that can be visited year-round. Tarangire is the only exception, since its wildlife viewing is considerably better in the dry-season as well.
JUNE TO OCTOBER – DRY SEASON
| Best time to go: | June to October (All parks), June-July and January-February (Serengeti for the wildebeest migration & calving) |
| High Season: | July to March (northern circuit parks; they get crowded), July to October (southern and western circuit parks; they don’t really get crowded any time of the year) |
| Low Season: | April and May (northern circuit parks still get quite a few visitors unlike the southern and western circuit parks, where many lodges close down) |
| Best Weather: | June to October (Little to no rainfall) |
| Worst Weather: | March and April (Peak of Wet season) |
NOVEMBER TO MAY – WET SEASON
- Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the southern Serengeti. This is an excellent time to see predator action.
- The scenery is green and beautiful. It’s low season, meaning lower rates and less crowded parks.
- Although wildlife is easier to spot in the Dry season, you’ll still see plenty and most northern circuit parks offer good year-round game viewing.
- Migratory birds are present and bird watching is at its best.
- Except for March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon showers and seldom have a negative impact on your trip.
- March to May is the peak of the Wet season.
- Most big wildlife has migrated out of Tarangire NP and game viewing in Katavi, Selous and Ruaha is clearly better during the Dry season.