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Tanzania - Best Time To Visit

TanzaniaClimate Information
Tanzania's climate displays distinct regional variations but mostly has a tropical climate. The warmest months are December to March and the coolest June to October. The coastal areas are hot and humid, and although Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Tanzania, is always covered in snow, the rest of the central plateau is dry and arid. Most of Tanzania has two rainy seasons. The long rainy season lasts from April to May when tropical rain storms can be expected nearly every day. The shorter rainy season in November is less intensive. The rest of the year is hot and dry. The north western highland area is generally cooler with rains from February to May and again from November to December. The coastal areas are less humid between June and September.

TanzaniaClimate Charts

Dar Es Salaam Climate
Approximate Temperature (°C)
Approximate Rain Fall (mm)
January Approximate Temperature 31°CJanuary Approximate Rain Fall 66February Approximate Temperature 32°CFebruary Approximate Rain Fall 66March Approximate Temperature 30°CMarch Approximate Rain Fall 130April Approximate Temperature 30°CApril Approximate Rain Fall 290May Approximate Temperature 29°CMay Approximate Rain Fall 188June Approximate Temperature 29°CJune Approximate Rain Fall 33July Approximate Temperature 28°CJuly Approximate Rain Fall 31August Approximate Temperature 29°CAugust Approximate Rain Fall 25September Approximate Temperature 30°CSeptember Approximate Rain Fall 31October Approximate Temperature 30°COctober Approximate Rain Fall 41November Approximate Temperature 31°CNovember Approximate Rain Fall 74December Approximate Temperature 31°CDecember Approximate Rain Fall 91
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Arusha Climate
Approximate Temperature (°C)
Approximate Rain Fall (mm)
January Approximate Temperature 29°CJanuary Approximate Rain Fall 66February Approximate Temperature 29°CFebruary Approximate Rain Fall 77March Approximate Temperature 28°CMarch Approximate Rain Fall 138April Approximate Temperature 25°CApril Approximate Rain Fall 223May Approximate Temperature 22°CMay Approximate Rain Fall 83June Approximate Temperature 21°CJune Approximate Rain Fall 17July Approximate Temperature 20°CJuly Approximate Rain Fall 8August Approximate Temperature 22°CAugust Approximate Rain Fall 7September Approximate Temperature 25°CSeptember Approximate Rain Fall 8October Approximate Temperature 27°COctober Approximate Rain Fall 24November Approximate Temperature 28°CNovember Approximate Rain Fall 119December Approximate Temperature 28°CDecember Approximate Rain Fall 103
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Zanzibar Climate
Approximate Temperature (°C)
Approximate Rain Fall (mm)
January Approximate Temperature 32°CJanuary Approximate Rain Fall 89February Approximate Temperature 32°CFebruary Approximate Rain Fall 56March Approximate Temperature 33°CMarch Approximate Rain Fall 153April Approximate Temperature 30°CApril Approximate Rain Fall 401May Approximate Temperature 29°CMay Approximate Rain Fall 255June Approximate Temperature 28°CJune Approximate Rain Fall 68July Approximate Temperature 27°CJuly Approximate Rain Fall 48August Approximate Temperature 28°CAugust Approximate Rain Fall 47September Approximate Temperature 29°CSeptember Approximate Rain Fall 50October Approximate Temperature 30°COctober Approximate Rain Fall 97November Approximate Temperature 31°CNovember Approximate Rain Fall 226December Approximate Temperature 31°CDecember Approximate Rain Fall 194
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Tanzania Seasons
Long Rains            
Short Rains            
Dry Season            
 JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Tanzania Highlights/Events
Serengeti Migration - SouthFrom Dec - Mar the plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. Calving season: late January through mid March 80% of the wildebeest give birth over a period of a few weeks. The herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) and attract predators like lion, cheetah and hyena. From Dec - Mar the plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. Calving season: late January through mid March 80% of the wildebeest give birth over a period of a few weeks. The herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) and attract predators like lion, cheetah and hyena. From Dec - Mar the plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. Calving season: late January through mid March 80% of the wildebeest give birth over a period of a few weeks. The herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) and attract predators like lion, cheetah and hyena. From Dec - Mar the plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. Calving season: late January through mid March 80% of the wildebeest give birth over a period of a few weeks. The herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) and attract predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.
Serengeti Migration - Western CorridorThe herds move to the long grass plains and woodland of the Serengeti's western Corridor. This period is during the long rains and is considered off season for wildlife viewing in east Africa as roads are often impassable. The herds move to the long grass plains and woodland of the Serengeti's western Corridor. This period is during the long rains and is considered off season for wildlife viewing in east Africa as roads are often impassable.
Serengeti Migration - NorthBirding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours.
Birding SeasonBirding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours. Birding is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to April, when resident populations are boosted by the many Palaearctic migrants. The European winter also broadly coincides with East Africa's rainy season, when several resident species undergo a transformation from drab brown to bright breeding colours.
Best Scuba Diving Nov-Mar is the best time to see Whale Sharks on the coast of Tanzania. Nov-Mar is the best time to see Whale Sharks on the coast of Tanzania. Nov-Mar is the best time to see Whale Sharks on the coast of Tanzania. Tanzania is generally a good diving destination year round Tanzania is generally a good diving destination year round Tanzania is generally a good diving destination year round The sea is generally calm, though in July it can get a little choppy with Kusi blowing from the south. Tanzania is generally a good diving destination year round Tanzania is generally a good diving destination year round Nov-Mar is the best time to see Whale Sharks on the coast of Tanzania. A short period of rain during late November - early December can cause short-lived algal blooms, reducing the visibility down to about 12m. Nov-Mar is the best time to see Whale Sharks on the coast of Tanzania. A short period of rain during late November - early December can cause short-lived algal blooms, reducing the visibility down to about 12m. Nov-Mar is the best time to see Whale Sharks on the coast of Tanzania. A short period of rain during late November - early December can cause short-lived algal blooms, reducing the visibility down to about 12m.
Kilimanjaro TrekkingMid - December, January, February and March are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds - one of the best times to climb. Mid - December, January, February and March are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds - one of the best times to climb. Mid - December, January, February and March are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds - one of the best times to climb. In the month of April and early May it is likely to get heavy rain and/or snow. May is a favourite with trekkers looking for a quiet, clear mountain. In the month of April and early May it is likely to get heavy rain and/or snow. May is a favourite with trekkers looking for a quiet, clear mountain. By late June and through July and August it can be very cold at night, but the sky is completely clear above 3000 metres, making for perfect views. By late June and through July and August it can be very cold at night, but the sky is completely clear above 3000 metres, making for perfect views. By late June and through July and August it can be very cold at night, but the sky is completely clear above 3000 metres, making for perfect views. Between September and the end of October, it gets steadily warmer. October is good for people who are looking for little or no rain, mild weather and very few other people climbing. Between September and the end of October, it gets steadily warmer. October is good for people who are looking for little or no rain, mild weather and very few other people climbing. November to mid-December sees the short rains, when afternoon thunderstorms are possible but, in general, the clouds will disappear during the evenings leaving excellent visibility during nights and mornings. November is normally clear and mild to begin with but, when the short rains begin, there can be heavy snow towards the summit. Mid - December, January, February and March are the warmest months, almost clear of clouds - one of the best times to climb.
 JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

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