January to February These two months mark the beginning of the green season of Tanzania, the rolling plains of the Serengeti feature a beautiful shade of green with minimal dust levels and good wildlife viewing opportunities, especially around the Ndutu Plains in the South of Serengeti. This period is also superb for bird watching activities as the park is usually teeming with migratory birds. In January and February, the famous Great Migration is usually concentrated in massive numbers on the Serengeti Plains and is also the time when many animals are in their birthing coinciding with the green season. March to April
March and April mark the end of the green season and the beginning of the off-peak season, the weather is ok although the occasional thundershower may impede your game viewing experience. Towards the end of April, the landscape turns a lush green allowing for many photographic opportunities. The Serengeti starts to see fewer visitors as the rainfall becomes less occasional. March through April remains one of the best times to get off the beaten path and explore the remote corners of the Serengeti National Park.
May
From late April to the second half of May, rainfall tends to be at high levels. Camps and lodges are not as busy as you will likely receive a lot of discounts. The scenery is green and blooming, although wildlife viewing might be a bit limited due to the rains making some of the routes unpassable, albeit for a few hours. If you are visiting the park with intentions of following the Great Migration, then head to the Central and Western regions of the Serengeti where you can see the herds on their way towards the Masai Mara in Kenya. June, July and August June marks the beginning of the dry season and the peak season in Serengeti, it is also the start of the northward migration season in the Serengeti. Dry conditions prevail but there might still be the occasional afternoon or evening rain shower which can be a welcome relief. Wildlife viewing starts to pick up by mid-June through July and August as resident animals become concentrated around the remaining sources of water in the park. Also, July sees the Great Migration making its way north towards the Mara River for the dramatic river crossings into the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya. September and October By September, you will still be able to see the wildebeests, along with the zebras and gazelles in the northern area of the Serengeti. The famous river crossings along the Mara River are still visible during this period since the migrating herds travel in large batches. Across other parts of the Serengeti, wildlife viewing opportunities are at their best as the dry season means that the animals tend to gather around the remaining sources of water, which makes them east to spot on game drives and hot air balloon rides. By October, the plains are dry and the grass is short, but towards the end of the month, you can already feel the change in atmosphere as the dry season comes to an end. November and December
This period is characterized by short rains that refresh the air and wash away the dust from the dry season. Game viewing is still good despite the rains since these light showers are usually over as quickly as they appear, these rains bring fresh grazing to the south of the Serengeti and signal the return of the migration. The scenery is turning green and the cycle begins all over again. You should note that this guide is only speculative based on the climate in Tanzania over the past few years, so there might be some overlaps in season and related activities. All year round there is something fascinating to see and experience, so be sure to add Serengeti National Park on your travel itinerary. Ready to plan your trip to Serengeti, Talk to Us today to get started.