Tanzania Travel Guide

When to Go to Tanzania

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate

Because Tanzania lies below the equator, the coolest months occur during the northern hemisphere’s summer, and all-year round the weather remains pleasant and comfortable.

Between June to October, temperatures range from around 10°C in the northern highlands to about 23°C on the coast. On the plains and the lower-altitude game reserves, the temperatures from June to October are warm and mild. On the coast, these months are some of the most pleasant to visit, with balmy, sunny weather much of the day and cooling ocean breezes at night.

From December to March, the days are hot and sunny with often not a cloud in the sky. Temperatures range from the mid-twenties to the low thirties throughout the country while visitors flock to the parks and beaches to escape the dreariness of late winter in colder climes. Clear sunny days are the norm in the northern highlands and the heat of mid-day is tempered by the golden light in late afternoon and the especially striking sunsets.

In the game parks and central plains, the beautiful weather provides perfect opportunities for unhampered game viewing, and clear night skies offer perfect opportunities for star-gazing and romantic evenings in the bush. On the shores of the Swahili Coast, the Indian Ocean reaches its highest temperatures and is ideal for swimming at any time of day or night.

Seasonality

Tanzania’s equatorial climate brings two seasons of rain each year: the masika, or long rains that fall from mid-March to the end of May, and the mvuli, or short rains, that come intermittently throughout November and parts of December, and sometimes stretch into early January.

During the long rains, heavy showers fall in the early mornings but usually clear up by mid-day, with the weather often remaining clear and sunny until late afternoon. By evening, impressive cloud formations build, breaking sometime after dark and the rain often continues throughout the night.

During the short rains, light showers in the mornings and late afternoons are punctuated by stretches of clear weather and beautiful rays of sunlight. The beginning of both rainy seasons is marked by a change in the winds which historically, marked the time for trading boats to set off on expeditions across the Indian Ocean or return to their native lands.

National Holidays

Date	Description
20 Mar 08	The Prophets Birthday (Muslim)
21 Mar 08	Good Friday
24 Mar 08	Easter Monday
26 Apr 08	Union Day
01 May 08	Labour Day
07 Jul 08	International Trade Fair Day
08 Aug 08	Farmers' Day
01 Oct 08	Eid al Fitr - End of Ramadan (Muslim)
14 Oct 08	Nyerere Day
08 Dec 08	Eid al Adha - Feast of Sacrifice (Muslim)
09 Dec 08	Independence Day
25 Dec 08	Christmas Day
26 Dec 08	Boxing Day
01 Jan 09	New Year's Day
12 Jan 09	Zanzibar Revolution Day

National Events

Event	Occurs	Description
Zanzibar Music Festival	February	Zanzibar Music Festival of Sauti za Busara - celebration of Tanzanian and Global music.
Goat Racing	May	Dar Es Salaam Goat Races.
Tanz Hands Craft Fair	June	Tanz Hands Craft Fair in Dar Es Salaam - sale of locally made goods.
Wildebeest Migration	June and November	Wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti.
Zanzibar International Film Festival	July	Showings of both African and International films.