Tanzania Weather
Northern Tanzania runs on two rainy seasons and one long dry season — here's what that actually means for a safari.
Two rainy seasons, one long dry season
Tanzania sits just south of the equator, so temperatures don't swing much month to month — what changes is rainfall. The long rains run roughly March to May, the short rains November to December, and everything in between is largely dry.
Temperatures by region
The northern safari circuit (Arusha, Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro) sits at altitude, so days are warm — typically 24–28°C — and nights and early-morning game drives can be genuinely cold, especially on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at over 2,200m, where temperatures can drop close to freezing overnight.
Zanzibar and the coast are tropical year-round: 27–32°C by day, humid, with sea breezes that make it more comfortable than the number suggests.
Packing for it
Layers matter more than any single item — a fleece or light jacket for early starts, breathable clothing for midday heat, and a rain shell if you're travelling in a wetter month. We send a full packing list once your trip is confirmed, tailored to your actual dates and route.