TANZANIA WEATHER & CLIMATE
SUMMER (Dry Season): December - March
WINTER (Wet Season): March - May
Tanzania weather and cimate is tropical on the coast, on the islands, and in Selous. It is temperate inland and in the other parks. Tanzania weather 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.
The weather in Tanzania in the northern and eastern regions of the country is characterized by bimodal rainfall, 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 Tanzania climate in summer lasts from mid-December 'til 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 climate in the mountain regions are notable exceptions to its complex but otherwise regular consitions. Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru drop below freezing at night.
Climate in Tanzania between June and August can be very cold at the Ngorongoro Crater, but Mnemba island is lovely at this time of year. Conditions improve greatly later in the year - Ngorongoro is wonderful from October to December, when the short rains occur.
WHAT TO PACK?
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical items to pack are:
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Khaki, brown, white and beige colours |
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Light cotton tops and cotton trousers/shorts in summer |
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Long sleeved blouses/shirts for game drives. They will protect you from the sun and from mosquitoes |
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Safari trousers for evenings and cooler days |
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Fleece, or sweater, and a warm jacket for game drives (and at Ngorongoro Crater) |
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Swimwear is a must for the beach and for Kleins and Grumeti Camps, which have pools |
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A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen |
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Comfortable walking shoes |
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For climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, thermal underwear, light layers, a sweater, warm jacket, good socks, and sturdy boots |
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When visiting Zanzibar, it is important for women to dress modestly to avoid offending Muslim cultural beliefs. Men should not wear shorts on the main island, and women should wear dresses that cover their shoulders and knees. This does not apply on Mnemba Island.
WHEN TO GO?
Tanzania offers an astonishing diversity and concentration of wildlife, from the immense Serengeti and towering Mount Kilimanjaro to the remote national parks of Katavi and Mahale.
The best months for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are from August to October and from January to March.
Tanzania is a year-round birding destination boasting over 1000 species, but it is particularly good at the height of the northern hemisphere's winter (December to February), when some 160 species of migrating birds make their way south.
Tanzania is also a botanical treasure-trove, with habitats ranging from Afro-Alpine to semi-desert. January/February and June/July (the months after the bimodal rainy seasons) make for the best floral displays.
For game viewing, the best time to visit Tanzania depends on your priorities. Much of Katavi National Park is accessible only during the dry season (June to mid-October), and this is also the best time to visit Tarangire.
In the Serengeti, the wet season is the best time to see the enormous herds of wildebeest, though the migration patterns vary and are difficult to predict. The dry season is best for seeing predators.
BUS TRAVEL
'Express' and 'ordinary' buses operate along Tanzania's major long-distance routes.
Express buses are more comfortable, make fewer stops, and operate to a schedule, though they are slightly more expensive.
Ordinary buses (generally the only option on secondary routes) are often packed to overflowing, make many stops, and deviate quite freely from the schedule. They and dalla-dallas (minivans) serve shorter routes. The latter are a slower and more dangerous option.
Buses are not permitted to operate at night. Note that roads in Tanzania have a high accident rate, and buses tend to speed. Reservations are not always possible, so get to the bus with plenty of time before the scheduled departure.
AIRPORTS
Domestic air services operate between the major airports:
»Dar es Salaam International (DAR)
»Kilimanjaro International (JRO)
»Kishni, Zanzibar (ZNZ)
There are a total of 129 airports in Tanzania, of which only eleven are paved. Air services have become the most significant form of internal transport for official and business travel. Small planes, from charter companies, fly to towns and to bush airstrips.
ROADS
There are 88,200 km of highways in Tanzania, but only 3,704 km of these are tarred. The key roads are in good condition, though the majority are bad and hazardous.
Road conditions in the reserves and national parks of Tanzania are extremely rough. During the rainy season, many roads are passable only with four-wheel drive vehicles. Tanzania is definitely not recommended as a self-drive destination. Any four-wheel drive vehicles for safaris usually have to be hired with a driver.
Watch out for cyclists, pedestrians, livestock and wild animals. Most car rental companies do not allow self-drive outside of Dar es Salaam. Driving is on the left side of the road. Your home driving licence, with English translation if necessary, is accepted.
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