The climate in Tanzania is tropical. The seasons are divided into dry and rainy seasons , with the rainy season being divided into two sections. Between March and May is the big rainy season in Tanzania, in October and November the short rainy season with an average of fewer rainy days. The temperatures differ depending on the altitude and topography. On the coast of Tanzania as well as in the lake area in the west the climate is humid all year round and the temperatures are hot. This leads to high humidity. Inland, the temperatures and humidity are generally lower and more moderate than on the coast. This is particularly evident at night when the temperatures are perceived as cooler. The higher a region is, the cooler the climate in Tanzania. If the annual average temperature on the coastal plain is 26 degrees Celsius, it is an average of 23 degrees at altitudes above 1,200 meters. From an altitude of 1,700 meters, the thermometer drops to an annual average of 18 degrees Celsius. The climate table for Darassalam, the largest city and the cultural center of Tanzania, shows the average climate values measured during the year. Below is more information about the weather and the best time to travel to Tanzania . For different tourist locations and activities, I’ll show you which months are best for a vacation.
Climate table for Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 7.6 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 5.2 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 7.8 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| Rainy days per month | 7 | 4 | 12 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
The best time to travel to Tanzania depending on the places and activities
Generally speaking, the best time to travel to Tanzania is the dry season from January to February and from June to September . In some parts of the country, the small rainy season does not begin until the end of October, so this month is also wonderful for traveling. With a total area of 945,087 square kilometers, Tanzania is more than ten times larger than Austria. Numerous great activities are possible in the different regions that will make your vacation unforgettable. From a wonderful beach holiday on the Tanzanian coast to exciting safari tours to trekking tours on Mount Kilimanjaro and hiking is all possible here. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to where you spend your Tanzania vacation or what you would like to experience on your Africa trip in order to determine the best Tanzania travel time for you.
In the following I will show you in a short overview when the best travel time for Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and other touristy places is. This is followed by more detailed information on the best travel time for a beach holiday , for hiking and trekking tours as well as for safari tours in Tanzania .
Best travel time for Tanzania according to locations in the brief overview
| Best time to visit Tanzania | |
| Dar es Salaam (East) | Mid December to February & June to September |
| Stone Town, Zanzibar (East) | January, February & June to October |
| Kilimanjaro Airport, Arusha (northeast) | January, February & July to October |
| Mwanza (north) | January & June to September |
| Seronera, Serengeti National Park (north) | December to February & July to September |
Weather in Tanzania – large and small dry season and rainy season
According to politicsezine, the weather in Tanzania is tropical, warm and rainy all year round with high humidity. The climate is divided into four seasons: a small and a large dry and rainy season. During the small dry season from the end of December to February, it is tropical warm across the country with temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius on the coast. In the higher elevations it is on average a little cooler, but still warm in summer. The humidity is pleasant during the small dry season, which makes this season the best time to travel to Tanzania. The great rainy season in Tanzania begins in mid-March. Precipitation is particularly high in April. It rains an average of 18 days a month on the east coast. The temperatures remain high, however, which increases the humidity. The climate is not the most pleasant for a vacation, so this time is not recommended for traveling to Tanzania. The great dry season in Tanzania begins in June. Especially from July you will have fantastic weather here for your vacation. From mid-June to September is the second range of the best travel time for Tanzania. At 29 degrees Celsius a day and around five rainy days per month, the humidity is pleasant and the climatic conditions are perfect for a vacation. The second rainy season, the small rainy season in Tanzania, starts in mid-October. During this time the temperatures rise again, but the precipitation is much lower than during the great rainy season. Thus, the humidity is more bearable. The short rainy season is a good option for cheap trips to Tanzania .
