Best Time To Visit Serengeti For Safari

Best Time To Visit Serengeti For Safari (Month by Month)

When is the Best Time to visit the Serengeti For Safari? The best time to visit Serengeti National Park for Safari is from January to February or from June through September although we recommend that you plan your trip around the movement of The Great Migration. For example, the Months of Late January and February (winter) are the best times to see the herd in Southern Serengeti as the wildebeests are giving birth which attracts lots of predators while the dry Months of June July, August and September (Summer and autumn) are the best times to visit the Western Corridor and Northern Serengeti for you to be able to see the dramatic Grumeti River crossing (June-early July) and the Mara River crossing (Late June to Early October) 

However, travelers should note that Serengeti can be visited all year around in Central Serengeti/Seronera Area which is home to large numbers of resident animal species and predators. The nearby Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park can also be visited all year around.

Best Months to visit Serengeti For Safari: 

January to end March

During this time of the year, volumes of wildlife gather on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains. This is the best time to experience the great migration characterized with the flat green plains and uninterrupted views and best opportunities to watch the massive movement of wildlife. Tourists should note that from January to March an estimated 8,000 calves are born into their various wildebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and eland families. The newborns are fragile and easy targets for predators and tourists will watch Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and even jackals scramble for opportunities to fill their bellies.

July to September

Around this time of the year, the great migration safaris hold the excitement of herds crossing the Mara River. Watch the animals enter the water as individuals are taken by crocodiles. Their sacrifice secures the survival of this extraordinary journey of species.

Travelers should note that these two periods (January to March and July to September) are the best times to experience the most thrilling migration activity.

From April to June, once the bulk of their youngsters have found their feet, the herds continue their journey north in search of new grass. The long rains of April and May provide enough water and grazing for the animals to spread out over the entire southern Serengeti plains. From east to west they split up into smaller herds in a slow but definite move towards the north.

From October to December the herds are scattered throughout the greater Masai Mara conservancies (often even into Loliondo) and the hills and valleys of the north-eastern Serengeti. At this time of year it’s not uncommon to find animals in front of your camp in the evening. However, they will have disappeared by the following morning, having continued their journey southwards. This leg of the migration happens in stages and the herds split up into even smaller herds and groups.

May and June

In April and May rains start flowing in the Serengeti on a daily basis to an extent of closing many seasonal roads surrounding the area.

Therefore May and June make it into the top three best possible times to see wildebeest  herds on migration safaris. In June and July herds are harder to track on migration safaris, with the limited road network and private Grumeti R eserves concession in the way.

October to December

By October, the animals have eaten all the grass in the Mara plains and are propelled to venture south once more to find fresh grazing. Remarkably, they arrive on the plains at Ndutu a few days after the first rain of the season has fallen. The herd leaves decent-enough grazing at Lobo and the Bologonja Springs and set off southwards again across the eastern and central savanna woodland.

Here, the animals spread out to areas with water and grazing that allow them to be within striking distance of the Ndutu lakes and plains. During this time predators often lurk in the Lobo grass.

Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Safari guide-Month by Month 

Most first time travelers think that the great wildebeest migration only happens once a year, but the migration is in fact an all year round event with each time of year offering a unique migration experience.

Below is a Month by Month Serengeti migration guide on what to expect each month in terms of weather, wildlife, migratory movements, predator interactions and river crossings to ensure you get the most out of your safari trip to see the great wildebeest migration.

• In January there is a lot of movement from north to south as the herds await the first Serengeti rains and like June, it is a hard month to predict because the herds’ movements depend on when it starts to rain on the southern plains. Female wildebeest are carrying calves and are almost ready to give birth the reason the herds move swiftly in search of favorable grasslands to provide sustenance for the arrival of their young.

• Around February the calving season starts and this is a period when wildebeest, zebra and other migratory animals give birth to their offspring and once the calves are born the herds don’t move much hence a high chance of witnessing a wildebeest birth and predators is high.

• Noted as the last month mobile camps operate, March is fairly wet with lush and green grasslands and as a result wildebeest herds move slowly and predictably to able to feed the calves. This also makes it possible to have predators such as lions and leopards around.

• April is wet in the Serengeti with long rains that happen mostly in the evenings with clear days the reason you should carry with you a raincoat. The herds are starting to move a little bit faster as the calves and foals get mobile the reason we highly recommend April as one of the best times to see wildebeest herds.

• May is a great time for wildlife action photography because at this time of the year the herds are gathering speed and the calves are fully operational and moving quickly to the Serengeti’s western corridor. However May is the wettest Month in Serengeti and roads tend to get slippery and tricky to navigate.

• June is traditionally the Grumeti River crossing period though the intensity and drama of the crossing depends on the water levels of Grumeti River which occassionaly sees raised levels like the Mara River sees in July and August. Expect a rewarding experience in June as the herds will be spread out.

• July marks the start of the Mara River crossings as well as mating season in the Serengeti and since it’s a dry season with a more arid Serengeti, the wildebeest herds begin moving faster in search of water and greener grass making their way across Grumeti River and Mara River where crocodiles are encountered.

• August is arguably the best month to see the dramatic Mara River crossings in the Serengeti or Masai Mara and it’s the time the dry season kicks into overdrive. The herds are continuing their search for greener grass making their way across the crocodile infested Mara River.

• September is one last chance to see the epic Mara River crossings in the Serengeti or Masai Mara and around this time its more hot and dry in both Serengeti and Masai Mara. Most of the wildebeests have already crossed into the greater Masai Mara area and are enjoying the lush green resources before venturing North wards.

• Around October the weather is milder as the dry season approaches its climax. The Month is a good time to see the wildebeest herds move back into the Serengeti through the Loliondo in the East.

• In November early rains start to fall with cooler weather and the wildebeest herds are now in Serengeti Lobo, Seronera Valley and Mbuze Mawe therefore a good time to see the wildebeest in the Serengeti.

• December is a busy and wet month and the wildebeests are moving quicker towards the south plains hence being another time you can track the herds in the Serengeti.

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Tanzania Weather description

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.

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Best time to Visit Tanzania

Best Time to visit Tanzania-When to Go on Safari in Tanzania

The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season of June all through to October however in general there is no right time or wrong time to go on a Tanzania Safari as wildlife can be seen at any time of the year and the best time to visit Tanzania entirely depends on one’s interest.

Simple Guide on When to Visit Tanzania

1. Between January and March is Wildebeest calving season and Serengeti national park attracts more predators such as lions, leopards among others in search of food hence this season becoming one of the best times to spot predators in the Serengeti national park.
2. Between June and July is the best time to witness the great wildebeest migration in large numbers in the Serengeti. However wildebeest migration can also be witnessed but not in large numbers in August till early November.
3. In January large numbers of migratory birds are arriving especially in Ngorongoro and Lake manyara and is the best time for birders to visit Tanzania as it increases chances of seeing variety of bird species. Tanzania Birding is also possible in November and May.
4. For Mountain climbers and hikes, the dry season of between and October is very favorable to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt.Meru.

All the above Tanzania safari activities can be done in the  various national game parks in mostly Northern circuit parks of Serengeti, Lake manyara, Tarangire and Ngorongoro.

Tourists should not forget that whereas Tanzania can be visited all year round, the dry season would be the best time for anyone planning to visit Tanzania or go on a safari in Tanzania. This season enables animal viewing because as the grass dries up and the water holes too therefore, the animals have to move around the park in search for water and pasture and in most cases the animals tend to gather in an area having water in the national park therefore they gather around water holes rendering it the best spot for animal viewing. It also provides the best opportunity to catch the predators as they wait on the small animals coming to drink water along the banks of the river.

CONTACT US to plan your Tanzania Safari Vacation

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Nyege Nyege Festival 2024

Nyege Nyege Festival 2024-Nyege Nyege Festival 2024 Tiickets & Booking

How much is Nyege Nyege festival Ticket 2024 ? & how do i buy Nyege Nyege festival Ticket ? are the questions that linger in every mind of a traveler bracing for November 2024 from 14th to 17th. Some even wonder how one can buy Nyege Nyege festival Tickets online.

November 2024 is the time of the year when streams will return to their source as party goers and music lovers come to play and get lost with power, kindness, love and moves.  They come together to celebrate music, culture and diversity and to celebrate each other in sound and nature at Nyege Nyege festival.

Born out of an act of sheer collective madness in the rainy season of 2015, Nyege Nyege festival is now considered the most important international music festival in East Africa for both its one of a kind curation and its unique East African party vibe. It takes place in Uganda at Nile Discovery Beach on the source of the River Nile from November 14th to November 17th .

This year’s edition of Nyege Nyege festival  which is widely considered one of the most famous musical gatherings of the 21^st Century in the world and will aim to continue showcasing African music in all of its dimensions to the world. It aims to include vital connections with Latin America and the Caribbean, explore secret sonic gateways, new voices and ancient traditions and attempt to leave you wondering what a festival just happened!

Online Tickets can be bought from the Nyege Nyege Website and Engabi Tours and Travel Ltd can help to book tickets for you and your friends.

What is the price of Nyege Nyege Music Festival Ticket 2024?

Wondering what is the price of Nyege Nyege festival Ticket! The prices for Nyege Nyege festival 2024 are as follows;

Non East African Citizens Festival Ticket/Pass costs 125$ valid from November 14th to November 18th

East African Citizens Festival Ticket/Pass costs 150,000UGX valid from November 14th to November 18th

Note that Engabi Tours and Travel charges a surcharge of 20 Percent to help book your ticket

Wondering  what other activities you can do before or after the Nyege Nyege music festival to get a memorable experience in Uganda!, Engabi Tours and Travel ltd has put together some Safari packages you can go for  before or after Nyege Nyege festival 2024 to get the full experience of the Pearl of Africa and below are some packages:

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Popular Combined East Africa Safari tours, holidays and vacations packages.

8 days Uganda Tanzania safari

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Contact us for Price Quotation or information and inspiration