Tanzania has a warm equatorial climate.
The best time to visit Tanzania for game viewing is from June to October (the cooler, drier months) and from January to March (when it is much hotter). The 'short rains' fall from mid-November to mid-December. The much heavier 'long rains' fall in April and May, when heavy downpours can make road travel difficult.
The annual wildebeest migration starts with calving on the Ndutu Plains of the southern Serengeti from mid-January to mid- March. In June and July the animals move slowly northwards towards the Grumeti River, before crossing into Kenya in August, with the exact timing depending on the rains. In November the wildebeest migrate southwards once again.
Birding is best from November to March, as this is when the migrants visit.
Diving in Zanzibar is best in March/April and July/August when the winds change direction, but October to March are also good. From August to October humpback whales migrate past Mafia Island. In November and December you can swim with whale sharks and from December to April you can see manta rays.
Deep sea fishing for marlin is best from November to March, with September and October good for tuna and other species. Most boats do not operate in May and June (the end of the rainy season, when the sea is very rough).
The best months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro are January, February and September, summiting as close to full moon as possible.
2by2 Holidays are Africa specialists so please do email or ring us on 01582 766122 for advice on the best time to visit Tanzania.