Searching for the ‘The Big Five’ refers to spotting lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos.
Weather-wise, the best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry seasons which runs from July – October. The national parks will be sparse and dry of vegetation making it much easier to spot wildlife as they venture into the open landscapes searching for watering holes. There are also much fewer mosquitos around, due to the lack of rainfall. The skies are mostly clear and warm, apart from in the chilly evenings.
Tanzania’s ‘Green Season’ runs from November to March making it the perfect time for birdwatching as they migrate over in the thousands. The heavy rains reach Tanzania between April and May which can greatly disrupt game drives, making it one of the worst times to visit.
If you’re here to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti, August and September are the best times to visit Tanzania, however are also the busiest. Huge herds, containing hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and elands, cross the Mara River avoiding the jarring jaws of the crocodiles. That said, the vast expanse of the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater mean that wildlife viewing can be done throughout the year.
September – November
September is still peak season for Tanzania, often being one of the busiest months in the game reserves. There are also huge herds of elephants in Tarangire National Park at this time of year. November is a great time to visit Tanzania. The rains have just begun but are not strong enough to compromise your trip and the prices are much lower than in previous months.
December – February
There are small chances of rain during summer, but even then, showers mostly occur during the night. Temperatures start to rise, as does the humidity. Summer is an excellent time to go birdwatching in Tanzania. February is also the wildebeest calving season, making it a great time to capture some predatory wildlife action.
March-May
If you’re looking to bag a bargain, Autumn is a great time of year to visit Tanzania. As this is Tanzania’s low-season, the prices will be significantly cheaper. March should be OK weather-wise, although expect humidity to increase. However, we suggest you steer clear of travelling in April and May due to the heavy rains.
June – August
June is still part of ‘green season’, meaning the parks are lush with vegetation. This does, however, make it more difficult to spot wildlife. July is the beginning of peak season in Tanzania where the weather becomes drier making wildlife safaris much more successful. This is prime time for watching the Great Migration cross the Masai River.
Tanzania has a rich, vibrant culture with African and Swahili traditions being celebrated and upheld through festivals throughout the year. Events explain their unique way of life, showcase their delicious cuisine, and perform traditional music and theatre. Here’s our pick of the best events to attend in Tanzania.
(End November-early December)
This relaxed but vibrant festival celebrates the beach life of Tanzania. For three days, the Zanzibar Beach is the place for volleyball, rugby and beach football tournaments. You can also watch kite surfing and bike races. The competitions in bartending and yoga are also great to watch!
(October)
Bagamoyo Arts Festival is a promotion of the craftsmen, artists and performers in Eastern Africa. Expect poetry readings, exhibitions, acrobatics and performances of traditional Tanzanian dances and drama.
(March)
Nyamo Choma, meaning ‘roasted meat’ is the best festival to experience traditional Tanzanian food. Work your way around the mountains of marinades and spice blends from recipes passed down through generations, in the largest barbeque festival in Africa. Taste everything from steak to barbequed ribs. Definitely one for the foodies.
(26th April)
Unification Day is one of the biggest events in the Tanzanian calendar. It’s a celebration of when the Zanzibar Islands became part of Tanzania in 1963. Expect most major cities to be extra busy with parades of traditionally-dressed locals waving their flag to Tanzanian music
(Beginning of January)
Wanyambo Festival is an excellent way to experience the Tanzanian culture. Mukumbusho stages a fantastic display of traditional Tanzanian performances of music and dance, with the accompaniment of locals wearing traditional costumes and serving delicious food.
(End of July)
The Mwana Kogwa Festival is a colourful four-day event in Zanzibar. Villagers gather to stage mock battles where the men symbolically beat each other with banana stalks, to settle old arguments from the past. Women accompany the festivities with dancing and singing, with a huge feast ending the celebrations.
(May/June)
The biggest cultural fair in Eastern Africa, Karibu Travel & Tourism fair is a must-visit if you’re looking to pick up some prized souvenirs. Here you can find anything Tanzanian, from gemstones to food and wine, and safari gear to wooden African furniture.
(7th-10th February)
Sauti za Busara, meaning ‘the sounds of wisdom’, is one of the best music festivals in Eastern Africa. For 4 days, Zanzibar is filled with African and Swahili music, showcasing the best musicians in the content. Thousands of people from all over the world, travel to this island each year to experience traditional African music.
1 January – New Year’s Day
12 January – Zanzibar Revolution Day
10 April – Good Friday
13 April – Easter Monday
26 April – Union Day
1 May – Labour Day
7 July – Saba Saba
8 August – Nane Nane
14 October – Nyerere Day
9 December – Independence & Republic Day
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day
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