When to visit Tanzania

This is the hottest month of the year, as it marks the end of the short dry season. Daily highs commonly reach 35°C or more, which can be too hot for many people to be comfortable in.

March marks the start of the primary rainy season in Tanzania. The weather is still very hot, with highs around 32°C or 33°C. Now, thanks to the arrival of the rain, it’s also humid.

April is by far the wettest month of the year. It’s a little cooler than February and March, but that’s all relative. Temperatures still regularly hit 30° or 31°C daily, and heavy rain is common.

This is another stormy month, although it’s not as bad as April. Downpours are particularly common in the afternoon, and temperatures continue to drop slowly.

June marks the start of the long dry season, which many see as the best time to visit Tanzania. The rain dries up dramatically, and the temperatures continue to drop. For the first time, daily highs are under 30°C. Okay, they’re still around 29°C, but things are getting more comfortable with nights as low as 18°C.

The long dry season continues. Temperatures are slightly cooler than June, and there’s very little rain. Highs are around 28°C or 29°C, and lows can dip to 17°C, so this could be the best month to visit Tanzania for comfortable sightseeing. The landscape is still lush and green after all that rain.

August is still part of the long dry season. Now, the landscape is turning brown as the effects of the wet season wear off, and the rain feels like a distant memory. Temperatures rise slightly, with daily highs once again hitting 30°C.

September is still a very dry month in Tanzania. Temperatures rise sharply as the month progresses, with highs of around 32°C. The warm weather combined with a dry climate is why many people say this is the best time to visit Tanzania, particularly if you want to go to the beach.

October is a transitional month in Tanzania. Temperatures continue to rise, and most of the month is still dry. However, the last week often sees a marked increase in rain as the short rainy season begins.

This is the official start of the short rainy season. With daily highs hitting 33°C and nightly lows hovering around 21°C, you can expect heat, humidity and rain. It’s nowhere near as rainy as April, but daily showers are shared. 

The short rainy season continues, although December is usually less wet than November. Nights are getting hotter, though. Minimum temperatures of 23°C can make getting a good night’s sleep hard.