Discover Tanzania with us
When to go
Tanzania has something to offer all year round. There really is no right or wrong time to visit, just different experiences to be had with the change of seasons.
Tanzania is one of the largest countries in Africa and its sheer size means that the climate varies considerably within it. Historically there are two seasons on the northern safari circuit, a high season and a low season, defined by the rains.
High Season
Drier conditions make for better game viewing as the animals don’t venture far from the water and thinner vegetation allows for better visibility.
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The short dry season in February and early March are great times to explore Tanzania, January marks the end of the short rains. The lush, green vegetation looks beautiful at this time of year with migrant birds bolstering resident populations.
Late January to February is the time to see the calving in the Southern Serengeti – an excellent time to see predator action.
January to March can be crowded around the Seronera area.
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Rainfall is unusual and clear days are common. Temperatures vary depending upon location and altitude, but generally expect mornings and nights to get cold.
PROS:
The thick bush thins out and wildlife is easier to spot.
Animals gather around the rivers and waterholes.
Lots of sunshine with afternoon temperatures around 25°C / 77°F
Easier to spot the Great Migration and iconic river crossings.
CONS:
The park gets crowded, especially around the Seronera area.
Cold at night and early in the morning with minimum temperatures around 14°C / 57°F.
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More vehicles and visitors
Highest accommodation rates
Availability of lodges is competitive
Cooler temperatures | 5 - 20 degrees
Fewer mosquitoes
Fewer migrant birds
Low Season
The low season has two rainy seasons:
the long rains (masika) from late March to early May
short rains (mvuli) November through December.
Babies are born in the low season and birds return, visitor numbers are lower and safaris more affordable.
The rainy seasons can be a beautiful time to visit as the vegetation is at its most lush and green.
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Afternoon tropical downpours are common, humidity is high and temperatures reach above 30 degrees celsius.
Birdwatching is at its best.
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Rainfall tends to be short showers, interspersed with bursts of sunshine which can make for excellent photography.
The wildebeest return to the short- grass plains and calving ground around Ndutu in late November. And from here, the Great Migration starts all over again.
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Fewer tourists and lower rates for accommodation, especially in April and May
Higher chance of rain
Warmer temperatures | 15 - 35 degrees
Abundant with birdlife
May be harder for game viewing as the grasses get longer
80% of the wildebeest give birth during the calving seasons of late January to mid March
Lush, green vegetation
Great for bird watching
The Great Wildebeest Migration
The Great Wildebeest Migration is the largest overland migration on earth, with wildlife traversing over 800 km of Tanzania’s Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara to feed on new grass and search for a good water supply.
Between 1.5 to 2 million wildebeest, zebras, and other species follow a circular pattern with herds following the rains for nutritious grazing - moving continuously in a clockwise direction up from the south of the Serengeti, through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Loliondo Game Controlled Area, and the Grumeti Reserve.
They leave Tanzania briefly to spend time in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, before heading back south to start the journey again.
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Every year half a million wildebeest are born on the Serengeti plains, and February is the month with the highest birthing rate, sometimes seeing as many as 8,000 born per day.
The first rains in the southern Serengeti plains mobilise the herds to move gradually from southeast to southwest.
Ndutu Plains and Southern Serengeti are ideal to experience the migration in Jan - March, with calving season generally beginning in February and predators in abundance.
This is also an opportune time for Cheetah sightings.
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The herds start moving northwards from the Ndutu region toward central Serengeti. As the calves get bigger and stronger, the distances the herd covers get longer as they head towards Lake Magadi in central Serengeti.
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The rains begin to ease and the herds disperse heading north. The leaders reach Mbalageti River, while those following could be as far back as Lake Magadi or in the southernmost corner of the Simiti and Nyamuma Hills.
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July - Grumeti River crossings (Serengeti)
July is mating season and you may experience herds in the Grumeti section of western Serengeti.
Crossings of the Grumeti River are worth hanging around for, but the Serengeti is vast and relatively under-developed with lodges, so river crossings are harder to access.
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This is the season to see Mara River crossings. By August the herds have made their way to the northern Serengeti and face their biggest challenge yet: the Mara River.
This fast flowing river runs through the Maasai Mara (Kenya) into the Serengeti (Tanzania) with river crossing attempts killing many thousands of wildebeest each season.
Some herds simultaneously plunge off the steep river banks attempting to cross the river with some falling to their death as prey approach during this opportune moment.
Others drown crushed by the sheer volume of panicking wildebeest trying to scramble up the equally steep banks on the other side, providing a feast for the waiting crocodiles, birds and fish.
During August to mid-October the herds move back and forth over the Mara River - in both the Serengeti and Maasai Mara. By late October, most herds are in the eastern Maasai Mara.
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Early rains in November mobilise the herds to leave Kenya and head south into western Loliondo and the Lobo area in Serengeti National Park, organising themselves into smaller family groups.
Testimonials
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Once in a lifetime trip for our family of 4
From the first moment of meeting Dianna over the phone I knew we had found the right person to put our trip together. Dianna listened and learned about who we are and planned the most incredible trip beyond our wildest dreams that suited us as a family perfectly. It was the perfect mix of adventure, culture, comfort with a touch of luxury and fun.
We got the incredible mix of the animals and parks on safari which is mind blowing but some of the additional highlights were bow and arrow hunting with the Hadzabe tribe and spending time with Emmanuel in his Masai village. These were genuine, authentic cultural experiences we will never forget.
We spent 10 days with our guide Peter who was ideal for us and our children of 9 and 11… we all absolutely loved him and keep in touch today.
This trip will be held in our hearts forever and I could not recommend Dianna, Isa and Tanzania Discovery Tours highly enough to assist you with your trip of a lifetime. Thank you for creating ours.
September 2023
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AMAZING EXPERIENCE AND LIFE JOURNEY
“We all had such a wonderful and lifelong memorable time, never to be forgotten. We couldn’t be happier for all that was done for us. The planning, development and implementation of the climb was outstanding. Connecting 10 trekkers and 40 guides is no easy feat. It all went smoothly and without a hitch. Truly such a big impact to our lives and our generations to come. We can’t thank the team of Tanzania Discovery Tours and the guides enough for the pleasure of being part of this amazing journey. We are so glad we choose this company to manage our journey - no fuss, no worries. All our individual needs were met with a smile and professional courtesy. Our heart goes out to you all and we are looking forward to promoting Tanzania Discovery Tours as much as we can in Australia so others can enjoy this amazing experience and life journey. ”
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AN EPIC TRIP OF A LIFETIME
“An epic trip of a lifetime and the only way to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, visit Tanzania & safari to see the wonderful animals of Africa! Tanzania Discovery Tours put together a personalised 16 tour to Tanzania that has me wanting to return in a heart beat!
Travelling solo was a initial concern, however Tanzania Discovery Tours tailored an Itinerary including a recommended route, transfers, detailed welcome pack with everything from what to pack to what to expect. Every detail was well planned including all transfers.
The team were incredibly professional, friendly, hardworking with a core focus on safety and ensuring I was having fun. At first we were strangers and upon leaving we had created amazing friendships, so much so I didn’t want to leave! A special shout out to Peter, Dickson, Emmanuel and the team! I hope to return and see you all again! Such a great team!
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HIGHLY RECOMMEND
“An experience of a lifetime for Bob’s Blood Angels bringing awareness to donating blood. Tanzania Discovery Tours were unbelievable, they went out of their way to help our group of 10 through this challenging climb. They showed so much kindness, and safety was 100% -lots of smiles and laughter, it was amazing. We met with Isa who is so lovely, nothing was a problem. Sleeping in tents every night was a great experience, surprisingly so comfortable and warm, the crew would bring in hot water bottles every night and hot coffee and tea every morning. The breakfast lunch and dinners were out of this world - absolutely yummy food. The crew would check on us all every morning and night to see how we were feeling. After the amazing climb we all finished off on a 4 day safari. The accommodation was the best and once again the food was awesome.
Thank you so much Dianna and Isa for doing a fantastic job in booking our trip. I have shared my experience with all my family and friends and would highly recommend you.”
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THE BEST TANZANIAN EXPERIENCE
“The attention to detail, responsiveness to calls and questions from Dianna was the best I’ve ever experienced with a tour organiser. Isa and the team backed it up on the ground with an incredible level of care that even got an old bloke like me to the top of Africa! Every issue on the climb was handled by the team in a professional and caring manner. And the same can be said about the Safaris and the choices of accommodation in Zanzibar. I’ve travelled extensively and never seen such personalised service, all around the same price of the others who couldn’t even return calls or didn’t really know the country - use these guys if you want to have the best Tanzanian experience.”
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MY FIRST TRIP TO AFRICA
“A big thank you to Dianna & Isa of Tanzania Discovery Tours. I have travelled extensively through Europe and my home country of Australia, but this was my first trip to Africa - somewhere I have always wanted to go. Not knowing where to start, I left all the organising of the itinerary up to you and I am so glad I did. From the moment I arrived I was greeted by your friendly staff who proved to be invaluable throughout the whole trip. From the safari through the Tarangire national park and the exhilarating hot air balloon ride, to the excellent choice of accommodation with amazing views, we got to experience all the incredible things Tanzania has to offer.
The hike through the great Rift Valley and the walks through the traditional Maasai village’s were life changing for me. I can’t thank you enough for the trip of a life time.
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THE PERSONAL TOUCH
“Doing a safari in Africa has been on my to do list since as far back as I can remember. So when a friend asked if my wife and I would be interested in doing a safari in Tanzania with Dianna and Isa from Tanzania Discovery Tours we really didn’t need to think about it.
We booked our tour for 2020 and like so many others, COVID had other ideas and the trip didn’t happen until June 2022. In that time Dianna kept us up to date with a forever changing goal post over a long 2 years which was greatly appreciated and would have been near impossible to keep up with, without her help.
Dianna was also able to organise an extra 9 day safari in Uganda so we could experience the Gorillas (which we loved) in conjunction with our Tanzanian safari.
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LIKE NO OTHER TOUR
“My safari with Tanzania Discovery tours truly was a unique and amazing trip of a lifetime. The combination of local experiences, safari, hiking, optional activities, such as a spectacular hot air balloon ride over the Tarangire National Park, and luxury accommodation makes it like no other tour. Some of the highlights (as there were too many to mention them all) included lunch with Isa’s family in his village, the safari, where we saw so many animals in beautiful locations without needing to drive excessively, the hike through the Rift Valley, amazing accommodation including Mpingo Ridge Tented lodge, and simply Lake Natron itself, where the remote eco camp accommodation and waterfall walk was a fantastic finale to the safari. Dianna and Isa are the most wonderful hosts, their local knowledge makes for the perfect itinerary and experience, and they are always there to help and answer any questions along the way. I would highly recommend this tour.”
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ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
"It’s almost impossible to describe a deeply satisfying and moving experience that really was ‘an adventure of a lifetime.’ Di said Tanzania will make your heart soar. It did, many more times than once.
Tanzania Discovery Tours was the quintessential combination of adventure, culture, luxury and learning. Di and Isa didn’t disappoint with their seamless schedule of diverse activities, local knowledge and trusted connections. Having personal tour guides was reassuring from the beginning and helped not only with flights and individual needs but also with day to day organisation and coordination. Our two tour drivers enhanced our daily experiences with their personalities and in-depth knowledge of country, cultural practices, flora and fauna.
Di and Isa moved us through incredible landscapes, introduced us to memorable people and villages, and delighted our senses in every way, leaving enduring impressions on us all.
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BEST HOLIDAY EVER
"So many wonderful memories our family will cherish for years to come. What a an amazing adventure!
We travelled with our two children 4 years and 7 years and the Tanzania Discovery Tours itinerary was well balanced and paced for all of us. From the hunt with Hadzabe tribe to the game drive of the Ngorongoro crater, our kids were enthralled at every moment. Long days of game driving were made easier with the comfortable 4WDs which had power outlets and a fridge for our drinks and snacks. Our individual guides were very knowledgeable of all the wildlife and accommodating with all our needs. This tour was planned meticulously and Dianna and Isa managed to exceed our expectations with each and every activity. We had such an an amazing experience and our kids have memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. Thank you Di and Isa"
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WHAT A WONDERFUL TRIP
“I would never have expected to travel to Tanzania, but Dianna mentioned she was going to run some tours which had a Safari in it. I said yes, had no idea what to expect and did no research and just went. I have never approached a holiday like that before. Well, I’m out the other side of my decision and it is difficult to put into words what you experience in Tanzania.
The light is soft, the people are kind, the accommodation we stayed in was just beautiful. Being on safari and up close to the animals is something that has to be experienced. I love zebra, elephants and lions the most. Seeing a male lion and his cub up close in the early morning is one of the crazy moments in life when you look at the others around you and say nothing but you are all thinking is this really happening. And those beautiful big, graceful elephants, how can you not love them. What an adventure being on Safari. It’s being a detective and adventurer, together with the sport, challenge and exhilaration…
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EVERYTHING WAS INTRIGUING, REAL BUT SOMEWHAT DREAMLIKE
“I had always had a deep down desire to go to Africa, but being terrible at organising time away, never thought that I would actually get there. Thank you Dianna and Tanzania Discovery Tours for making it happen; having everything so well thought out ahead of time - visa, timetable, information about flights and etc - made it so easy to just pack a bag and go. And now I am so glad I did, such a great adventure - a different world - everything was interesting, intriguing, real but somehow dreamlike. Our tour felt very personal and intimate, each day was time enjoyed with a group of friends, uncrowded and unforced. I'm sure that each person in our group experienced the tour in their own way, and we will be talking about it for years to come.”
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TOUR OF A LIFETIME
"Dianna and Isa were thoughtful in their approach to what was an enriching experience that balanced culture, adventure, luxury, local knowledge and professionalism. From the onset of booking the tour we found Dianna to be helpful in all aspects. Their preparation in delivering a diversity of experiences was second to none, starting from the detailed itinerary, to the prompting emails reminding us of our vaccinations, visa procedures, luggage regulations, what to pack etc made the lead up easy and hassle free.
Once in Tanzania we were delighted to be greeted by Isa and his team. Nothing was a problem for them and their welcoming dispositions made the trip even more enjoyable. Their pride in the beauty of Tanzania was evident and they were instrumental in sharing their local knowledge and ensuring our experience was enriching and safe.
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PERFECT TOUR FOR NON TOURISTS
“One thing first: We don’t do tours. Ever!
We research, we self-drive, we book and we chew up a whole lonely planet in the process.So why did we make an exemption and even more so why are we glad we did? Well, we did because we had total confidence in Diana and Isa. Off we went, totally underprepared by our standards and for a change we let every pre prepared adventure take us to a new and wonderful place. From the moment we touched down in Dar-Es-Salam until we said a sad farewell we learned so much every day. What was our favorite experience? Of course, the animals! Or rather the encounters with all the friendly and welcoming people? Or the Ali Baba like ancient city of Stone Town on Zanzibar (the name Zanzibar alone evokes memories of being ten years old and dreaming of future magical places to visit)?
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TRIP OF A LIFETIME
“Travelling to Tanzania was not on my bucket list – but it should be on yours. This was truly the trip of a lifetime. I saw things I never imagined – Lions, Zebras and Elephants up close and the most beautiful, awe-inspiring landscapes. Sunset on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater left me utterly speechless and seeing a pride of lions basking and playing in the morning sun was remarkable. Dianna and Isa are the most wonderful hosts – organised, passionate and knowledgable in equal measure. In lieu of reading the full itinerary, I suggest booking the trip straight away and taking each day of this wonderful experience as it comes.”
“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same. But how do you begin to describe its magic to someone who has never felt it? How can you explain the fascination of this vast, dusty continent, whose oldest roads are elephant paths? Could it be because Africa is the place of all our beginnings, the cradle of mankind, where our species first stood upright on the savannahs of long ago?”
-Brian Jackman.”