Weather & Climate in Tanzania

SUMMER: December - March

WINTER: March - May

The Tanzanian climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands and in Selous. It is temperate inland and in the other parks. Tanzania has two distinct annual rainfall patterns, which prevail in different areas of the country.

In the south, west, south-west and central regions of Tanzania the rainfall is unimodal - there is one rainy season, which occurs between December and April.

In the northern and eastern regions of the country the rainfall is bimodal, with two rainy seasons. The 'short rains' or Vuli last from October to December, and the 'long rains' or Masika last from March to May.

The warm Tanzanian summer lasts from mid-December till March, roughly corresponding with the rainy period of the south, west, and central region of the country.

Winter, from June to October, is dry and cold across the country. Tanzania's mountains are notable exceptions to its complex but otherwise regular climate. Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru drop below freezing.

Between June and August it can be very cold at the Ngorongoro Crater, but Mnemba Island is lovely at this time of year. Ngorongoro is wonderful from October to December, when the short rains occur.

If you're an avid migration enthusiast you'll want to time your trip to coincide with the movement of the animals in the Serengeti National Park. Click here for more information about When to Go to Tanzania, or the Migration Months.

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