When is the best time for a safari in Tanzania?

The dry season, June to October, is the best all-round time. For wildebeest calving choose late January to March, and for Mara River crossings choose July to October, with August and September the most reliable.

When is the Great Migration?

The herds are always on the move in a circuit through the Serengeti and Masai Mara: calving in the south from late January to March, west and north from April to June, the Mara River from July to October, and back south from November.

When should you avoid Tanzania?

The long rains, roughly March to May, are the wettest and least convenient time: roads can be muddy and some camps close. The short rains in November and December are lighter.

Is January a good time for a safari?

Yes, if you want the southern Serengeti and Ndutu: calving begins in late January and predators are active, though it is hot and showers are possible.

Can I see the Mara River crossings in both Kenya and Tanzania?

Yes. Crossings happen on the Mara River, which runs through the northern Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya, usually between July and October.

Best Time for a Tanzania or Kenya Safari: Month by Month

The short answer

For most safaris in Tanzania and Kenya, the best time is the dry season, June to October, when animals gather around rivers and waterholes and the vegetation is thinner. If you want one particular thing, choose by goal:

Wildebeest calving: late January to March, on the plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti.
Mara River crossings: usually July to October, with August and September the most reliable.
Fewer visitors and lower prices: November to early December, or April to May, in exchange for rain.

The Great Migration follows the rain, so exact timing moves from year to year. Treat the months below as typical windows, and ask your operator for recent sightings before you commit.

Plan a safari with a specialist Design my journey

Month by month

Month	What the herds are doing	Weather and crowds
January	Calving begins in late January on the short-grass plains of Ndutu and the southern Serengeti.	Hot, with a short dry spell between the rains.
February	Calving season peaks: huge numbers of newborn wildebeest and active predators.	One of the best months for predators in the south.
March	Calving winds down; herds start to spread out.	The long rains begin to build, so expect showers.
April	Herds drift west and north through the central Serengeti.	Long rains at their heaviest: green, quiet and cheaper, but some camps close and roads can be muddy.
May	Herds move toward the western corridor.	Rains ease toward the end of the month.
June	Grumeti River crossings begin in the western Serengeti.	The dry season starts: clearer skies and thinner vegetation.
July	Herds reach the northern Serengeti; Mara River crossings can begin late in the month.	Dry season; busy with visitors.
August	Peak window for Mara River crossings, in the northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara.	Dry and busy; book well ahead.
September	Crossings continue; August and September are usually the most reliable months for repeat crossings.	Dry and busy.
October	Crossings continue and herds begin to turn back; the Masai Mara is at its most crowded.	The short rains may start toward the end of the month.
November	Herds start the return south.	Short rains: green landscapes and fewer visitors.
December	Herds return to the southern Serengeti ahead of the next calving season.	Short rains ease; good value before the holiday peak.

Based on operator guides listed at the bottom of this page. The herds are wild animals: no operator can promise a particular sighting on a particular day.

Tanzania or Kenya?

The same herds move between Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Masai Mara, so the choice is mostly about where you want to be when they are there. Calving happens in the southern Serengeti, in Tanzania. Mara River crossings can be watched from the northern Serengeti in Tanzania and from the Masai Mara in Kenya, and the Mara side is the more crowded in September and October. Many travelers fly into Nairobi for Kenya or Arusha for northern Tanzania, and finish with a beach stay in Zanzibar.

When to avoid Tanzania and Kenya

The long rains from about March to May are the wettest period: roads can be muddy, some camps close and animals are harder to spot in tall grass, though the landscape is green and prices are lower. The short rains in November and December are lighter. If you travel in the rains, choose a lodge that stays open and plan for flexible days.

Planning tips

If crossings are the goal, plan at least three nights in the crossing region. Crossings are hard to predict from one day to the next.
Ask for a written quote that lists park fees, flights, transfers and what each lodge includes. Prices vary widely by lodge level, season and group size.
Check your own government’s advice before you go: see Tanzania and Kenya on Travel Live, and the health notes for pregnant travelers and children on those pages.
Beaches: the best months for Zanzibar are June to October and December to February.

Common questions

When is the best time for a safari in Tanzania?: The dry season, June to October, is the best all-round time. For wildebeest calving choose late January to March, and for Mara River crossings choose July to October, with August and September the most reliable.
When is the Great Migration?: The herds are always on the move in a circuit through the Serengeti and Masai Mara: calving in the south from late January to March, west and north from April to June, the Mara River from July to October, and back south from November.
When should you avoid Tanzania?: The long rains, roughly March to May, are the wettest and least convenient time: roads can be muddy and some camps close. The short rains in November and December are lighter.
Is January a good time for a safari?: Yes, if you want the southern Serengeti and Ndutu: calving begins in late January and predators are active, though it is hot and showers are possible.
Can I see the Mara River crossings in both Kenya and Tanzania?: Yes. Crossings happen on the Mara River, which runs through the northern Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya, usually between July and October.

Sources and notes

Figures and timings are typical, not promises, and change year to year. Confirm with your operator or provider before you book.

Bringing the World to you - please visit us at voyaggora.com for more