Tanzania safari weather & Serengeti/Northern Circuit Average weather and climate description
As a first time Tanzania safari goer,you need to be sure of the Tanzania safari weather- temperature, rainfall and the average Serengeti safari weather during your planning phase of a Tanzania trip. Tanzania is a country that lies just south of the equator and overlooks the Indian Ocean. Much of the country is covered by a plateau which is characterized by a subtropical and tropical climate and this is where a large number of world-famous tourist attractions like Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro conservation area are found covered with enormous flora and fauna. The thin coastal stretch of Tanzania is hot and humid throughout the year, especially from November to April whereas June-August period (kipupwe) is the coolest of the year and is dry almost everywhere.
To better understand the rain pattern, the country is divided into four zones namely the north and the east where there are two rainy seasons (one less intense and known as short rains season (vuli) between October and December and the other more intense and known as long rains season (masika) from March to May with a peak in April). In January and February, in the period between the two rainy seasons (kiangazi), the weather is hot and sultry at least below a thousand meters (3,300 feet).
In the far north-west, the two rainy seasons are practically connected and it actually rains even in January and February when rainfall amounts to 100/150 millimeters (4/6 inches) per month depending on the area. Therefore in this region there is practically a single rainy season from October to May. Such a situation is also found in a few areas of the north-east and in particular, along the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Finally in the center and south, there is only one rainy season from December to April in the south and south-east and from November to April in the west.
When are the rainy seasons in Tanzania?
The tropical rains occur mainly in the form of downpours or thunderstorms in the afternoon, so in the morning the sky is often clear even during the rainy periods.
In Dar es Salaam, the largest city and the former capital of Tanzania which is located on the coast, there are mainly two rainy seasons and it’s hot all year round with a slightly hotter and wetter period from November to April when daytime temperatures are around 31/32 °C (88/90 °F) but with peaks of 35/36 °C (95/97 °F). Relative humidity is high especially in March and April(the rainiest months).
Below are the average temperatures of Dar es Salaam.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min (°C) 24 23 23 22 21 19 18 18 18 20 21 23
Max (°C) 32 32 32 31 30 29 29 29 30 31 31 32
Min (°F) 75 73 73 72 70 66 64 64 64 68 70 73
Max (°F) 90 90 90 88 86 84 84 84 86 88 88 90
Dar es Salaam experiences a good amount of sunshine throughout the year except maybe in April (the wettest month)
.Sunshine Patterns of Dar es Salaam
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Hours 8 8 7 5 7 7 7 9 8 9 8 8
The sea in Dar es Salaam is always warm enough for swimming and the water temperature ranges from 25 °C (77 °F) in August to 29 °C (84 °F) in the summer months.
The climate and the rain pattern in Dar es Salaam are similar in the Zanzibar Archipelago though it rains more in Zanzibar at about 1,600 mm (63 in) per year and up to 1,900 mm (75 in) on the northern island of Pemba.
In the north-east, we find Kilimanjaro Mountain the highest mountain in Africa towering at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) high and have permanent snow above 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). On the slopes there are different climates and biomes depending on altitude as follows;
Between 1,800 and 2,800 meters (5,900 and 9,200 ft) we find the rainforest, between 2,800 and 4,000 meters (9,200 and 13,100 ft) we find a dry mountain vegetation and here temperature can drop below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) at night, between 4,000 and 5,000 meters (13,000 and 16,500 ft) we find a cold desert but with very strong equatorial sun light during day and a cold weather at night and finally on the summit which is often above the cloud layer the temperature may drop to -15/-25 °C (5/-13 °F) at night.
Therefore we recommend climbing of Mt. Kilimanjaro in January, February and September and to avoid climbing Kilimanjaro Mountain during the months of April and May due to high rainfalls and frequent cloudiness. Some visitors choose the days of full moon, a phenomenon that occurs roughly once per month and during which the glaciers lit by the moon offer a wonderful view at night.
West of Kilimajaro Mountain, we find Mt. Meru towering at 4,565 meters (14,977 feet) high and at the foot of Mount Meru(1,400 meters/4,600 feet) of altitude we find the city of Arusha. Here, the temperature is pleasant all year round and in fact the daily average temperature ranges from 19 °C (66 °F) between January and April to 14.5 °C (58 °F) in June and July. Sometimes, between November and March it can get hot during the day.
Nights are cool throughout the year especially from June to September when lows can drop below 10 °C (50 °F) while during the day the temperature fluctuates around 20/22 °C (68/72 °F).
Average Temperatures of Arusha
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min (°C) 10 10 11 13 11 8 9 8 8 10 10 10
Max (°C) 28 28 27 25 22 21 20 22 24 26 27 27
Min (°F) 50 50 52 55 52 46 48 46 46 50 50 50
Max (°F) 82 82 81 77 72 70 68 72 75 79 81 81
In the north –West of Arusha towards Lake Victoria and on the border with Kenya, we find the Serengeti National Park. Here the altitude varies between 1,100 and 2,000 meters (3,600/6,600 feet) and this area is famous for the savanna, a type of grassland which becomes greener and higher in the rainy season with rare trees such as the huge baobabs and animals such as rhinos, hippos, giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, and leopards. The South-Eastern part of Serengeti is the driest part where trees are a rare.
Below are the average temperatures recorded in Serengeti at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level.
Average temperatures of Serengeti National park
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min (°C) 16 16 16 16 16 15 14 15 15 16 16 16
Max (°C) 29 29 29 28 27 27 26 27 28 29 28 28
Min (°F) 61 61 61 61 61 59 57 59 59 61 61 61
Max (°F) 84 84 84 82 81 81 79 81 82 84 82 82
From Arusha to Serengeti you pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is rainier at least in the highest areas which exceed 2,000 meters (6,500 feet). The Ngorongoro lies in the far north-west and here thunderstorms can sometimes occur even in the dry season of January and February.
Average temperatures of Ngorongoro Conservation area.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min (°C) 10 10 10 11 10 8 8 8 8 9 10 10
Max (°C) 23 23 22 21 20 19 19 20 21 22 22 22
Min (°F) 50 50 50 52 50 46 46 46 46 48 50 50
Max (°F) 73 73 72 70 68 66 66 68 70 72 72 72
Best Tanzania safari weather description
The best time to visit Tanzania as a whole runs from July to August since it is the coolest, the sunniest and driest of the year. June is a good month almost everywhere but in the north-east and on the island of Pemba the long rains can go on until this month (June). September is also a good month but at lower elevations it can be hot during the day. In October the season of the short rains begins in the north though there is usually little rain in the first half of the month though it can get hot at low altitudes.
In January the south is in full rainy season and for the Serengeti you can visit from June to September with a high preference for June which is the period of the wildebeest migration through the rivers and this is before the animals move to Kenya. January and February are also good months to visit Serengeti because you will be able to see the Wildebeest in the southern part towards the Olduvai Gorge.
What to Pack when going on a safari to Tanzania or while on a safari in Tanzania
While in inland areas in general, it’s better to dress in layers and to bring warmer clothes at high altitudes and lighter at low altitudes and in the warm season. You can also bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and a raincoat for the rain showers in the rainy periods. In parks and reserves you are advised to bring with you neutral-colored clothes and comfortable canvas shoes.
When going mountain climbing, you should bring hiking shoes,cold weather clothing(for the summit of Kilimanjaro) , synthetic and thermal long underwear, a fleece, a wind jacket, warm boots, sunglasses and sunscreen.
When going to the reef, you can bring snorkeling equipment including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.
Between June and August (Winter), you should bring light clothing, a light scarf, light jacket and sweatshirt if you are visiting the coast (Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam) and Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika, light clothes for the day and a sweater and a jacket for the evening if you plan to visit Serengeti, Arusha, Lake Victoria or Dodoma and finally spring/autumn clothes with a jacket and sweater if you are visiting Ngorongoro conservation area
Between December to February (summer) you should bring light clothing made of natural fibers, a light sweatshirt for the evening and a light raincoat or umbrella if you are visiting the coast (Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam) and Lakes of Malawi and Tanganyika, additional jacket and sweater if you plan to visit Arusha and Serengeti and finally an additional down jacket,Jacket,hat raincoat and umbrella if you are visiting Ngorongoro.
Wondering which African Safari you should go on? Find below our suggested tours.
Combined Kilimanjaro climbing,gorillas,chimpanzees and Wildlife tour