Tanzania has no "bad" season — just different ones. The key question: do you care most about maximum wildlife on camera, catching a specific phase of the Great Migration, or saving money amid green landscapes. Let's break it down.
Dry season (June–October) — best for safari
The classic safari window. Grass is low, foliage thins, animals gather at rivers and waterholes — easier to spot and shoot. Roads are dry and passable, fewer mosquitoes. The downside: it's high season, so lodges are pricier and need booking ahead.
The Great Migration month by month
Around 1.5–2 million wildebeest and zebra move in a loop between the Serengeti and the Masai Mara all year — the "migration" isn't an event but constant movement. Roughly: December–March — southern Serengeti (calving season), April–June — moving north/west, July–September — the dramatic Mara river crossings with crocodiles, October–November — the return south. Want a specific phase — plan around it.
Serengeti calving (January–February)
A special time: in the southern Serengeti, hundreds of thousands of calves are born within a couple of weeks. Maximum concentration of life — and therefore predators. A great, less obvious window if the migration crossings aren't your priority.
Wet season (March–May)
The "long rains." Green and beautiful, lots of birds, few tourists, lower prices. But animals are harder to find (water and food everywhere, so they disperse), and dirt roads get muddy in places. A pick for a second or third safari and those who value empty lodges.
What to plan for
Temperature swings: hot by day, cold at dawn in an open vehicle — bring layers. Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis — consult well in advance. And plan a Zanzibar add-on to unwind after the dusty safari — ideal in the dry season.
Season, budget, packing, safety and photo tips — one printable page. Get it by email.