The best time to visit Tanzania

Whenever planning a trip overseas, it's important to research the seasons to try to travel at a good time of year for exploration and sightseeing. Nobody wants to be sitting in a game park peering through a downpour, trekking through a muddy mire, or sitting on a beach with the sand blowing so hard it stings your legs. No, no. You want clear skies for seeing the animals, cool weather for enjoyable trekking, and warm, calm conditions for splashing in the ocean!

So if you're thinking of heading to Tanzania, here's what you need to know to arrange your trip at a good time of year for the country's top three attractions, namely:

After climbing Kilimanjaro, it can be sheer bliss to hop to Zanzibar for a lazy beach holiday!

Kilimanjaro can be climbed at any time of the year. No months are off limits. That said, some months are better than others in terms of climate and weather, and so offer a better, safer experience. So here’s a lowdown on when is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. (For a more detailed description of the weather conditions per month, please read Best time to climb Kilimanjaro.)  

If you're an adventurer at heart, then be sure to prioritise climbing Africa's highest mountain!

In terms of temperatures, the hottest months are usually April, May and November. This isn’t at all an issue higher up the mountain, but it can be unpleasantly hot and humid in the rainforest zone.

The giant groundsels of the moorland zone of the mountain are Kilimanjaro icons

All that said, it’s important to point out that Kilimanjaro is its own boss, and it does what it wants, when it wants! It can rain at any time, snow on the summit at any time … you get the picture. You just never know for sure what the weather and temperatures will be like, and so while you should certainly make an educated decision as to when to trek, it’s also good to not expect certain conditions. Always come prepared for anything! 

Standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro – 'the roof of Africa' – is an exhilarating feeling!

And finally, many Kilimanjaro trekkers look to optimise their time in the Kilimanjaro region by doing a one or two activities before and/or after their climb. This is a great idea, as there are so many great activities in the Kilimanjaro region.

The Maasai of northern Tanzania are a unique and welcoming people with a rich and distinct culture

For instance, many folks choose to visit a Maasai village to learn about this people and their vibrant, proud culture. Others like to visit the nearby Arusha National Park for a game drive or to canoe on the Momela Lakes, while still others like to head to the Kikuletwa Hot Springs for, well ... the beauty of chilling in the hot springs! There are many fantastic mini adventures awaiting you in the Kilimanjaro region.

As these activities are so near to Mt Kilimanjaro, you don't have to spend any time researching the weather conditions – they'll be much the same as the weather at the base of the mountain. Isn't that handy. 🙂

Kikuletwa Hot Spring is a popular way to relax after a tiring Kilimanjaro climb

One of the fantastic things about Kilimanjaro is just how close it is to a handful of the very best safari locations in Africa! We're talking Serengeti National Park, the incomparable Ngorongoro Crater, and more! We find adding a Tanzania safari onto the end of your Kilimanjaro trip makes for the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime African adventure!

A lone giraffe in Lake Manyara National Park

It's not all large game in Africa – some of the most exciting spots are the little guys, like these adorable dik-diks

That said, people generally choose when to go based on what they want to see most, for instance, the infamous river crossings of the Great Migration herds, or the newborns that arrive during calving season. Others prefer to choose a time based on the weather and scenery, whilst still others want to go whenever they'll avoid the crowds.

The Northern Circuit is a collective name for the national parks and reserves of northern Tanzania. These are the country's most famous and popular parks, for good reason. They include Serengeti National Park (home of the Great Wildlife Migration), Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara.

Map showing the most famous parks of Tanzania's Northern Circuit

The table below identifies the best time to visit Tanzania for different types of safari viewing. Honestly, every month is a good month for safari! It's just the they offer slightly different things under different weather conditions.

November and December

We also discuss the best time to visit Tanzania for safari in our 8 must-know Serengeti safari tips video below.

The beautiful islands of Zanzibar are another very popular addition to a Kilimanjaro climb, and we totally understand why! The pristine waters, white sands, spicy foods and historic Stone Town of Zanzibar are so relaxing. They're the chilled yin to the challenging yang of a Kilimanjaro climb!

People travel from around the world to visit the white sands and pale, warm waters of Zanzibar

Fortunately, one of the best times to visit Zanzibar is the same as it for Kilimanjaro: June to mid October. These months are cooler and drier, so are good for visitors. December to February are also good months for a Zanzibar trip, as they're hot and dry. If you head there between March and May, you're in for afternoon downpours. Not the peachy beach weather you want! Mid October to November also tend to be a bit wet.

The historic Stone Town of Zanzibar is a great place for an exploratory wander ...

Once you know which activities you'll be doing in Tanzania, you should be able to determine the best time to visit Tanzania based on your itinerary. And if you're still struggling, then please just give us a shout – we'll be happy to advise you!