Discover the Tanzania weather: Seasons and Temperature

Planning a vacation to Tanzania? Your experience begins with understanding the country's heartbeat—the weather. It is crucial to understand the weather in Tanzania so that you can choose when the ideal time to visit the nation.

Tanzania's weather is impacted by a variety of geographical variables, including the Indian Ocean, mountain ranges, broad plains, and lush flora, which all combine to create a diversified climate.

In this article, we'll uncover the mysteries of Tanzania's climate and weather, giving you with a complete guide to guarantee your vacation is nothing short of extraordinary— offering insights into specific areas.

Let's dive into the heart of Tanzania's weather including climate, seasons and tempatures

The variety of weather in Tanzania directly affects the natural landscape

1 Features Of the Tanzania Climate 

Tanzanian Climate Types

Tanzania's climate can be categorized into three main groups: humid subtropical climate, hot desert climate, and cool mountainous climate.

The coastal areas of the country have a humid subtropical climate with warm temperatures for most of the year. In these areas, it rains most months, but certain times of the year receive more rainfall than others (e.g. December to February). Generally, tourists visit East Africa between June and September as they will experience cooler weather and enjoyable traveling.

In central Tanzania, you will find a much hotter desert climate, characterized by arid conditions, sparse rainfall throughout the year, and little vegetation or wildlife. The rest of the region has a similar temperature range to the coast.

Western Tanzania has a cooler mountainous climate with more rainfall and drastic temperature changes throughout the year. This region of Africa is perfect for those who like to travel in different seasons as each season offers something new and they will have a lot of fun! The weather here can be challenging as it is often cloudy or rainy and freezes at night. In Tanzania, eSIM is supported by several operators. eSIM does everything a traditional SIM card does, but it certainly makes things easier for many smartphone users. Almost every new mobile phone you buy now comes with eSIM technology.

Temperatures in Tanzania

 

Tanzania has a generally warm climate year-round

Tanzania is a country with many sweltering hot days.  November to February are the hottest months in Tanzania with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees centigrade. The dry season lasts from December to April and rainfall is rare, occurring only every few weeks. The humidity during this period is also lower than the rest of the year, making it easier for Tanzanians to stay cool and releasing very little sweat on their skin. Temperatures start to drop in May and most people will need jumpers or jackets as the nights can get chilly, but this doesn't last long and when August arrives the Tanzanian heat will pick up again.

What is the hottest month in Tanzania?

February is typically the hottest month in Tanzania, with high temperatures reaching the upper 80s F in some areas.

What is the coldest month in Tanzania?

The coldest month in Tanzania is typically July. It may get rather chilly at night and in the early mornings, particularly at higher elevations. Temperatures can dip as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit; dress warmly with coats, sweaters, long trousers, caps, gloves, and a scarf. By midday, temperatures often rise to the upper 70s, prompting you to swap your warm layers for a short-sleeved shirt and shorts or zip-off pants.

Which is the coldest city in Tanzania?

 Arusha is the coldest city in Tanzania, with an average daytime temperature of around 22°C at the coolest time of year.

2. Overview of Seasons in Tanzania

The main two seasons in Tanzania is the dry season and the rainy season

Ultimately, choosing the Best Time to Visit Tanzania largely depends on the specific wildlife and scenery you're keen to experience. Every season has its unique charm and offers different yet equally thrilling Tanzania Safari Tours.

From the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti to the serene beauty of Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania's wildlife spectacle is always open for business. Remember, your perfect safari is just a choice away. 

Tanzania experiences two major seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. Here are an overview of the differences between the dry season and rainy season of weather in Tanzania

Dry Season

June to October is the winter season in Tanzania, known as the dry season. It hardly rains and the temperature is pleasant. The weather is warm, but you won't feel the heat.

The short rainy season

It usually occurs in November and early December. Summer in Tanzania gets very hot. It rains especially a lot, but not as much as the long rainy season from March to May. What are the benefits of going hunting in Tanzania during the short rainy season? Fewer tourists and brilliant colours.

The hot and dry season

Runs from December to February. The weather can be hot, very hot, especially near the coast. It hardly ever rains. Not recommended if you are constantly hot.

The long rainy season

Runs from March to May. It rains a lot and the weather is not very warm, but in my opinion this is no reason not to visit Tanzania at this time of the year. In fact, you're pretty much alone on the road as most tourists don't visit at this time of year! Another very important reason to visit Tanzania during the rainy season is that you also have more chances to see zebras and wildebeests in the Serengeti National Park. Some of the parks are difficult to access due to the rain, but our guides know where to go! If you love adventure and authenticity: the natural beauty of Tanzania is very beautiful during the rainy season.

What is the best season to visit in Tanzania?

The best seasons to visit Tanzania is during the lengthy dry season, which lasts from July to September. These are regarded as the best months for safaris, the Great Migration, hiking, and beach vacations in Zanzibar.

3. What is Tanzania's weather like? Weather in Tanzania by month

Find out the weather in Tanzania by month

Tanzania, being near the equator, has a tropical climate with a long dry season and two rainy seasons. It also features regional climate variations. Northern Tanzania has gentler weather than the south, which may be hot and dry. However, the warmest and most humid weather occurs toward the shore. At altitude, temperatures are moderate all year but plunge at night.

The weather in Tanzania from January to February

January marks the beginning of a short dry period between Tanzania's two rainy seasons. On the coast, it is the start of the best snorkelling and diving season on the coral reefs. Temperatures and humidity rise, but if you prefer hotter temperatures, this is a great place to enjoy a beautiful beach holiday. Temperatures stabilise around 27°C (80°F) in most national parks, but can be much cooler at higher altitudes such as the Ngorongoro Crater.

Brief rains earlier in the year made Serengeti National Park the perfect green nursery for thousands of Cape horses, and by February the carving season has begun. It's a wonderful time to visit Tanzania, and most parks are home to migratory birds. If you like the heat and don't mind high humidity, then Zanzibar is a good choice for you.

The weather in Tanzania from March to May – Tanzania’s low season

The long rainy (and low) season begins in March, when the weather in Tanzania is very hot. However, before mid-March is probably one of the best times to trek Mount Kilimanjaro. In mid-March, extremely humid air is carried inland by south-easterly trade winds, which collide with the hills, craters and mountains, forcing upward condensation and heavy rain, usually occurring in the afternoon.

In early April the trails become very muddy and this is not the best time to hike Kilimanjaro. Thunderstorms can rain in the afternoon. Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater and even the Zanzibar Islands experience heavy rains during this time. Despite being one of the wettest months, most of the accommodation in the northern parks remains open. However, some accommodations in the southern parks may be closed.

The rutting or mating season of the horned horse begins in May with long lines of horned horses blowing north in search of grass. In mid-May, the Cape Horses begin to gather in the south-west corridor of Serengeti National Park to reach the Grumeti River, where huge Nile crocodiles await the start of the river crossing.

The weather from June to October – Tanzania’s high season

Towards the beginning of June, the long rainy season ends, and Tanzania is blanketed by verdant vegetation which is a great time for bird-watching.

June is the beginning of the dry season and the best time to visit Tanzania. Temperatures are dry and pleasant. The Great Cape Horse Migration will be in full swing in June. At higher altitudes, temperatures may plummet at night.

July is usually the best time to witness the famous crossing of the Mara River by the Cape Horse. The landscape throughout Tanzania begins to dry out and any source of water becomes a magnet for wildlife. Chimpanzees are more likely to be seen in Gombe National Park from early July until the end of the dry season.

August is an excellent season for wildlife viewing throughout Tanzania, and large herds of elephants numbering 200 to 300 can be seen in Tarangire National Park and Ruaha National Park. It is the best time to see rare animals such as the African wild dog and black rhino in Nyerere National Park.

Like the other months of the dry season, September is a great time to visit Zanzibar. However, even better, it coincides with the period when turtles hatch on some of the beaches. This time of year is perfect for a beach holiday after a safari.

Trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro in October is usually met with good weather. For hippopotamus lovers, Katavi National Park in western Tanzania will give you the chance to see plenty of hippos. You can also easily see four of the Big Five here, with only the rhinoceros absent.

If you want to visit during this time, remember to book early as this is high season.

The weather from November to December

The short rains  at the start of November is unlikely to affect your trip to Tanzania. Short showers usually occur in the heat of the afternoon. This is a wonderful time to visit Tanzania and marks the beginning of the return of migratory birds.

As the brief rains continue into December, the landscape takes on a green colour. On the coast, divers have the opportunity to share the ocean with whale sharks. Overall, this is a great time to visit Tanzania.

Conclusion

Tanzania's weather differs from region to region – but there is always a great time to travel in Tanzania!  So start planning your amazing Tanzania Safari trip today! However, you need a visa to enter Tanzania. Travelers can now apply for a Tanzania visa online. With a Tanzania eVisa, tourists can travel to Tanzania for up to 90 days. For more detailed information on Tanzania's weather and when you should travel to Tanzania, check out our blog on the best time to visit Tanzania.