Tanzania & Zanzibar

The Serengeti and the craters and lakes of the Great Rift Valley, the cycle of the wildebeest migration & Zanzibar beach holidays.

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Overview

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Why We Love It

  • Hot-air Balloon Safaris in the Serengeti, Tarangire and the Selous in the south.
  • The constant movement of the Great Wildebeest Migration.
  • Village visits and the opportunity to talk with Masai walking guides.
  • Game drives and, outside of National Parks, bush walks.
  • Sleeping under the stars at certain more upmarket camps.
  • An under-rated mainland coast and world famous offshore islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.

Where to go in Tanzania & Zanzibar

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When to visit Tanzania & Zanzibar

Summer in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Due to its position just south of the Equator, Tanzaniaโ€™s climate is tropical with little overall seasonal variation in temperature. In fact rainfall is the greater differential. Tanzaniaโ€™s climate varies from the coast to the interior. Coastal Tanzania and the islands of Zanzibar, Mafaia and Pemba are hot and humid. Whereas inland the higher altitude mitigates the temperatures with pleasantly warm temperatures rather than scorching heat. The summer is fairly dry and is the hottest season, though there is little year-round difference.
AVG RAINFALL 97mm
MAX TEMP 29 โ„ƒ / 85 โ„‰
MIN TEMP 19 โ„ƒ / 85 โ„‰
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Long rains in Tanzania & Zanzibar

The prevailing winds change and blow cooler wetter weather in from the Indian Ocean. This brings the start of the โ€œlong rainsโ€ mid-March and this is the wettest time throughout Tanzania. Many camps close during this time as the game park roads can become difficult to navigate, especially in the black cotton-soil of the Serengeti.
AVG RAINFALL 158mm
MAX TEMP 24 โ„ƒ / 70 โ„‰
MIN TEMP 15.5 โ„ƒ / 59 โ„‰
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Dry season in Tanzania & Zanzibar

This is the start of the long dry season which is also considered the best time to visit, especially for game-viewing. The wildebeest migration moved northwards into the northern Serengeti before crossing over into Kenyaโ€™s Masai Mara somewhere between mid-July and August. However, many animals are territorial and so remain in Tanzania.
AVG RAINFALL 28mm
MAX TEMP 26 โ„ƒ / 79 โ„‰
MIN TEMP 16 โ„ƒ / 60 โ„‰
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Dry season in Tanzania & Zanzibar

The dry season continues even though most of the migration of wildebeest and Zebra tends to be on the Kenyan side.
AVG RAINFALL 108mm
MAX TEMP 27 โ„ƒ / 81 โ„‰
MIN TEMP 17 โ„ƒ / 63 โ„‰
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Short rains in Tanzania & Zanzibar

Again, a change in prevailing winds heralds the second rainy period, the short rains, from mid-October to early December. The rain mainly takes the form of downpours or thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.
AVG RAINFALL 94mm
MAX TEMP 29 โ„ƒ / 85 โ„‰
MIN TEMP 18 โ„ƒ / 65 โ„‰
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Download our Guide to Tanzania Safaris

Major Game Reserves, Sample Tours & Camps, plus the low-down on Best Time to Visit! Get our Free guide here
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Natasha Jantjies

AFRICAN TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Hi I'm Natasha, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience GET IN TOUCH