What Is The Weather Like In Tanzania?
Tanzania enjoys a tropical climate with regional variations based on altitude and proximity to the coast. The country experiences two rainy seasons: the "long rains" from March to May and the "short rains" from November to December, with dry seasons in between.
The dry season from June to October offers the best conditions for wildlife viewing, as animals concentrate around water sources and vegetation thins, making them easier to spot. This period coincides with the Great Migration in the Serengeti, when millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the Mara River in dramatic fashion.
January and February provide another excellent window for safari travel, with dry weather and the calving season in the southern Serengeti, when hundreds of thousands of wildebeest calves are born over just a few weeks.
Temperatures vary significantly by altitude. The coast and Zanzibar remain hot and humid year-round, with temperatures typically between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius. The northern highlands, including areas around Ngorongoro and Kilimanjaro, are considerably cooler, with temperatures dropping to near freezing at night during June through September.
The wet season from March to May brings heavy afternoon rains that can make roads difficult and reduce visibility. However, this "green season" offers lush landscapes, fewer tourists, and lower prices for those willing to accept some weather uncertainty.
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