Worst Time to Visit Tanzania for a Safari

Worst Time to Visit Tanzania for a Safari , Tanzania is one of the all-time favorite holiday destinations in Africa that gives travelers a perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and scenic beauty. This national park is renowned for its vast savannah plains and stunning beaches, with the most significant tourist attractions being Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Tanzania experiences different climatic conditions throughout the year which are divided into two seasons, the dry season and the wet season.

Most travelers planning to visit Tanzania usually ask about the best time to take a safari to Tanzania and often the answer is preferably during the dry season. This is the best season for wildlife viewing and it runs from June to October and January to February. However, the question of the best time to take on this safari to Tanzania is a bit more complex and depends on a number of factors such as personal interests, where one intends to visit, reason for traveling, budget and time available for travel.

Despite being named the best time to go for a safari to Tanzania, it also has a couple of challenges such as;

• Extreme heat and uncomfortable high temperatures

During the dry months in Tanzania experience extreme heat mostly in the interior regions such as Dodoma and parts of Selous Game Reserve. These extreme temperatures can be uncomfortable for travelers, especially those taking part in outdoor activities and are not used to the tropical weather conditions.

• Crowded tourist destinations

Since the dry seasons are as well the peak tourist season, protected areas such as Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area can become overly crowded, despite the amazing wildlife viewing opportunities.

Since the best time to go on a Tanzania safari is the the dry season, the worst time then for a Tanzania safari is during the wet season. This rainy season occurs in two phases; the short rains and the long rains.

The Long Rain: March to May

This is the worst time to go on a Tanzania safari since it is the peak of the rainy season. During this time of the year, it’s very difficult to do any exploration since the roads within the national parks become muddy, slippery, and impassable. This makes traveling from one destination to another quite challenging. During these months, rain occurs every day and the showers are long and heavy.

Also, during the long rains, wildlife viewing is often less rewarding. This is because there are plenty of water sources, therefore the animals disperse and due to the tall grass and thick bushes, it’s nearly impossible to spot them. This season is also characterized with an increase in humidity and the presence of bugs, therefore outdoor activities become uncomfortable.

The Short Rains: November to December

These seasons of the short rains are characterized by unpredictable weather conditions, therefore there are unexpected down pours. Even though both are rainy seasons, these short rains are not as intense as the long rains.

This period is also considered a shoulder season implying that there will be fewer crowds in the national parks compared to the peak season and prices are less due to the discounts on accommodation though you will have to endure with a less predictable weather. These short rains occur daily but the showers are usually short and light and occur mostly in the afternoons.

Despite not being the best months for a safari to Tanzania, the months of November to December are the best months to visit Tanzania for a birding safari. This is because during this time of year both endemic and migratory birds from Europe arrive in the region.

Whether you are exploring the iconic savannahs, or climbing the magnificent Kilimanjaro Mountain, or relaxing on the beautiful beaches, you can take up a Tanzanian safari at any time of the year and have a memorable experience.