Dry Season vs Green Season Safaris in Tanzania

Ask ten safari veterans when to visit Tanzania and you will hear two camps. One swears by the dry season, when the bush thins out and animals gather at water. The other loves the green season, when the plains turn lush, newborn animals are everywhere and the parks feel wonderfully quiet.

Both are right. From our base in Arusha we guide guests in every month of the year, and the honest answer is that the best season depends on what you want to see, how much you want to spend and how you feel about a passing afternoon shower. Here is how the two seasons really compare.

What the dry season looks like

The main dry season runs roughly from June to October. Rain is rare, skies are clear and the grass dries and shortens, which makes animals much easier to spot. Rivers and waterholes shrink, so wildlife concentrates around the water that remains. In Tarangire this is when elephant herds are at their most impressive, and in the northern Serengeti it is the season of the famous Mara River crossings, usually from about July to October.

Mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, so pack a warm fleece. Dust is part of the experience on game drives.

What the green season looks like

The green season covers the wetter months, from about November through May. It includes the short rains, roughly November to December, and the long rains, roughly March to May, with a drier spell in between. Rain usually arrives as afternoon or overnight showers rather than all-day downpours, except at the height of the long rains.

The landscape is vivid, the light is beautiful for photography and migratory birds arrive from Europe and Asia. From about January to March the wildebeest herds gather in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area for the calving season, which draws predators and produces some of the most dramatic sightings of the year.

Crowds and value

July, August and the Christmas holidays are the busiest periods, and popular sightings can attract many vehicles. Lodges and camps charge their highest rates and the best properties fill early.

In the green season, many lodges offer lower seasonal rates, and you will often share a sighting with only one or two other vehicles. April and May are the quietest and usually the best value, although some seasonal camps close during the long rains.

Which season suits you

Your priorities make the decision easier than any calendar.

• First safari with limited flexibility: the dry season gives the most reliable game viewing.
• Photographers and birders: the green season offers dramatic skies, clean air and abundant birdlife.
• Travelers on a budget: the green season, especially outside the holidays, stretches your money further.
• Want to see river crossings: plan for the northern Serengeti between roughly July and October.
• Want to see baby animals and predator action: aim for the calving season around January to March.

How we plan around the weather

Our guides adjust each day to conditions on the ground. In the green season we start early, when skies are usually clear, and keep flexible plans for the afternoon. In the dry season we time drives to avoid the busiest areas at peak hours. Whatever month you choose, building the itinerary around where the wildlife actually is matters more than the season itself.