|
Don't go without the 2nd Edition Cadogan Guide to Tanzania and Zanzibar - writen by Annie - one of our consultants |
|
|
When is the best time to go to Tanzania and Zanzibar?
Being so close to the equator, temperatures in Tanzania are fairly constant throughout the year, although the rainy season in April and May is best avoided.
Tanzania also has a light rain season that takes place in November. This is known as the 'short rains', which are often little more than a fresh downpour for a short period each day, followed by clear sunshine.
From December to March the weather becomes increasingly hot and humid before the rains return in April to replenish the lands once more.
Best times to go on SafariThe best time to go on safari depends on a variety of conditions, and so varies widely between parks.
As discussed below, on the whole, 'during the rains' is not necessarily a bad time to go out looking for a lion or two as, in the heat of October you will invariably see a very inactive lion, rather than just after the rains when it is cooler and he is out and about.
There are, of course, anomalies to the rule that don’t rely on factors such as the weather. Travel to pretty much anywhere is busy for the main holiday months and so Christmas and July/August are well worth booking in advance!
Northern ParksThe 'northern circuit', combining the Great Migration in the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, Manyara and Tarangire National Parks, is probably Tanzania’s most famous area for game viewing. It is becoming increasinly busy, and it is worth considering both the weather and tourist numbers at certain times of year when planning a trip here.
In all honesty, there is no bad time to go to the north, (we have given a detailed breakdown of where and when the Migration herd moves through the Serengeti on our designated page) but, on the whole, if you want to avoid the crowds and get a great experience then our top months would include June-August, and December-March.
For more info on the Northern Parks please click on the link...
Southern ParksThe Southern parks of Tanzania are generally held as being the Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park as they are the areas most renowned for game viewing.
With very different topography and altitude, the parks can vary greatly in both their appearance and seasons throughout the course of the year. There are, however, a few months in the year that they both combine to create a fantastic contrast and some of the best game viewing on offer in Africa.
Due to the large river that runs through the park, the Selous can become relatively waterlogged directly after the main rains in April/May and so tricky to find or see the game. As this water dries off the park moves into its peak months to visit, from mid June until the end of October.
Outside of these months it is also worth considering January through until the end of March as the park is much quieter and, while slightly greener, offers a stunning landscape and game viewing.
Ruaha, strictly speaking, is also weather dependant as, when the main rains arrive, while the park is far more open than the Selous, the few dry rivers that wander through the area become raging torrents and practically impassable. Other than this, the park is very easy to visit almost year round and has very good populations of pretty much all the major attractions.
Similar to the Selous, if you are looking to have the place to yourself then the January to March window is a great choice! For more info on the Southern Parks please click on the link...
Western ParksThe Western parks of Mahale and Katavi are a great combination but, due to the nature of Katavi, tend not to be on many peoples’ list outside of August to October.
The beauty of a park such as Katavi is that, when water is hard to find, there is a small series of rivers and streams that are located very close to one another, becoming the funnel point for vast numbers of buffalo and elephant and plains game. This in turn makes for some of the best predator viewing in Africa! Outside of the main months, however, where most of the lodges offer walking and game drives, it is still possible to see some good game and so is worth considering from January to March.
Mahale is good year round, as the chimps are not really rain dependant. If you would like to be there at a more comfortable time then aim for August to October and January to March. windows are again good. For more info on the Western Parks please click on the link...
Islands and Beaches
The weather pattern on the coast can vary wildly to those of the more stable inland areas and so can be slightly harder to guarantee. On the whole, the mainland beaches tend to follow a simpler pattern and so are pretty much guaranteed to be good in the dry period from July till October and then again, while beginning to become humid, from January to March.
The main island of Zanzibar is fairly large in size and so also has a separate weather pattern that characterizes the eastern coastline over the west. Again, the June to October window tends to be the more reliable months, but, in honesty, we have been there in the middle of the rains and had some amazing weather! If you want to avoid the busier times then the January to March months are also good, if sticky.
Northern Mozambique
Roughly speaking, the rains that hit Tanzania in April and May, move up the Mozambican coastline a month or so beforehand. This means that the months of February and March are not greatly recommended and April and January are considered shoulder months (where the weather may become changeable). Other than this period, where most of the lodges are off the coast and tend not to be greatly affected by the standard weather patterns of the mainland, the likelihood is that you will get good weather.
| |
|
|
