Tanzania's climate is tropical, with temperatures between 27°C and 31°C year-round. Temperatures in the mountains stay around 15 degrees during the day, while on Kilimanjaro you can get below freezing.

Typical tropical weather is characterised by alternating rainy and dry seasons.

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Wet and dry seasons

Tanzania is divided into two regions.

• The northern and eastern half of the country(Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Parks, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Lake Victoria)
• southern and western half of the country (less touristy areas, towns such as Mbeya, Mtwara and the Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika area)

Two wet and two dry seasons

In the tourist areas of Tanzania (northern and eastern parts) there are always 2 dry seasons and 2 rainy seasons during the year.

• Mid March - May: the main period of very heavy rains. Especially during April, rain can occur every day, but usually the rain does not last the whole day, but only a few hours.
• November - December: less intense rainy season, with rain every other day on average and generally a slightly clearer period than the spring rainy season

The spring rainy season is called Masika (long rains) and the autumn rainy season is called Vuli (short rains).

• Masika - longer rains lasting several hours
• Vuli - shorter rains usually lasting up to an hour

One wet and one dry season

The centre of the country, the west and the south has a slightly different climate and only 1 rainy season and 1 dry season alternate.

The rainy season here starts in December and ends in mid-March.

The rains are usually a little weaker than during the rainy seasons in other parts of Tanzania, but the season is much longer and lasts several months.

As a rule, however, it often rains for only a few hours a day during the rainy season, with partly cloudy skies the rest of the day.

Weather during the year

Have you found a cheap flight to Tanzania for a specific time of year and are stuck for information about the weather? We have prepared a general overview of the climate in Tanzania by month of the year.

Temperatures are similar year-round between 27°C and 31°C.

Weather in January

January is one of the most popular months to travel to Tanzania, as it tends to be cold in Europe or Asia and much of Tanzania has a pleasant climate.

During January, the rainy season "Vuli" ceases. The countryside is beautifully green and the air is fresh.

• Where to go - safari (cub watching), Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro

Weather in February

February is still a slightly better month than January. The countryside is still nice and green, but the vegetation is not as dense, so the conditions for game viewing on safari are a little better.

In the main tourist areas it rains only sporadically in the form of short showers. The rainy season is confined to the south-west of the country.

• Where to go - safari (cub watching), Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro

Weather in March

During March, the rainy season "Masika" occurs. It usually comes in the middle of the month when the intensity of rainfall gradually increases.

However, it is possible to travel around Tanzania in March as showers do not yet affect the normal course of local life.

• Where to go - safari (cub watching), Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro (only until the onset of the rainy season)
• Tip - towards the end of March, Zanzibar tours and beachfront hotel prices are usually discounted

Weather in April

April is the main month of the rainy season in most of Tanzania.

The rain tends to be very intense and showers can last for more than 3 hours at a stretch. In addition, rain can occur several times a day.

April is a good month for exploring the local life, but you must expect traffic complications associated with poorly passable roads after heavy rains.

• Where to go - the season is never in Tanzania

Weather in May

During May, a period of long and intense rains persists.

Vegetation is very lush, making game viewing on safari almost impossible. In addition, secondary roads are impassable.

Rain can occur several times a day and May is not the best month to travel to Tanzania.

• Where to go - it's never high season in Tanzania
• Tip - looking for a different destination in Africa? For example, head to Mauritius in May, where the weather is great for exploring

Weather in June

In June, the rainy season fades and the high season for travel to Tanzania begins.

Showers are sporadic, occurring about once every 3-4 days, and humidity levels drop to acceptable levels. However, some safari routes remain muddy, as do some sections of the Kilimanjaro road.

• Where to go - safari (preferably from the second half of the month), Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro (preferably from the second half of the month)

Weather in July

July is one of the main months of the season when Tanzania has perfect weather for beach holidays, safaris and exploring local life.

Rainfall is minimal virtually all over the country and when it does rain, it is only in the form of very brief showers.

• Where to go - safari (the main migration period across the Mara River starts in July), Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro

Weather in August

August is one of the best months to visit Tanzania.

The weather is perfect in all tourist areas of the country, with little rain, low humidity and most of the day will be sunny or partly cloudy.

• Where to go - safaris, Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro
• Tip - book flights or tours well in advance, prices tend to be very high at this time of year!

Weather in September

September is also the travel high season for most of Tanzania.

There is little rain and the humidity is at low levels, making for great beach, sightseeing and high altitude hiking during September.

In our opinion, September is a better season than July and August because the prices of services are at a slightly lower level.

• Where to go - safari, Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro
• Tip - book discount hotels on booking.com

Weather in October

October is the transition month between the dry season and the second rainy season.

The first half of October in particular is still a great time to travel to Tanzania, but by the end of October the rains will be heavier and the roads will be muddy.

• Where to go - Zanzibar and other beaches, Kilimanjaro (first half of the month only), safaris

Weather in November

During November, the rainy season "Vuli" peaks. Although it doesn't rain as heavily as in spring, we still can't recommend this month for safari or mountain trips.

A beach holiday is possible, however, as it rarely rains all day - there are usually shorter showers lasting no more than a few dozen minutes.

• Where to go - Zanzibar and other beaches

Weather in December

The rainy season "Vuli" persists in December with frequent but short showers affecting trips to the countryside, Kilimanjaro or on safari.

But if you want to escape the biting European weather during December, December can be a good time for a beach holiday.

• Where to go - Zanzibar and other beaches