When to go to Tanzania

You can visit Tanzania in any month. What changes is the rain, the state of the park tracks and where the large wildebeest herds are.

Last checked: 1 November 2026. Rules, fees and advice change, so confirm them with the official source named at the end of this page before you book and again before you fly.

The two rainy seasons

Tanzania generally has two rainy seasons: a longer one from late March to May and a shorter one from October to mid-December. The months in between are drier. The timing and amount of rain change from year to year and from region to region.

After heavy rain, some park tracks become impassable and a 4x4 vehicle may be essential. In hot, dry periods, wildfires can break out in Kilimanjaro National Park.

The wildebeest migration

Large herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the Serengeti ecosystem in a yearly loop, following the rain and fresh grass. The outline below is the usual pattern, but the rain sets the timing, and it shifts from year to year.

  1. Early in the year: the herds tend to gather on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where most calves are born.
  2. Through the long rains and after: they move west and north through the central and western Serengeti.
  3. Mid-year to around October: many herds reach the northern Serengeti and cross into Kenya's Maasai Mara. This is when the river crossings happen.
  4. Late in the year: with the short rains, they head back south.

If one stage of the migration matters to you, plan around it but keep some flexibility. Nobody can promise where the herds will be on a given date.

Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

The same broad rainy seasons apply to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. On the mountain, be equipped for low temperatures in any month.

Check before you travel

Sources: the UK FCDO safety and security advice for Tanzania (rainy seasons, park tracks and wildfires). The migration outline is general guidance, not a forecast. Check current weather and park conditions with Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and your operator close to your dates.