East Africa has two rainy seasons and two dry ones, and that rhythm decides where the animals are, how green the landscape looks and how crowded the lodges feel. There is no bad time for a safari, but there are better months for specific goals.
The calendar at a glance
- June to October (long dry season). The best weather for game viewing. Grass is short, animals gather at water sources and roads are firm. This is also peak season, so book early.
- November to December (short rains). Brief afternoon showers, green scenery and fewer visitors. Good value, and the birdlife is excellent.
- January to February (short dry season). Warm, dry and very good for wildlife. The wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti begins.
- March to May (long rains). The wettest period. Some camps close, roads can be muddy, and visibility drops. But prices fall sharply and the parks are quiet.
Rainfall isn’t exactly the same everywhere, and recent years have been less predictable. Treat the dates as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Following the Great Migration
About 1.5 million wildebeest, along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle, move in a loop through the Serengeti–Mara ecosystem following fresh grass.
- January to March: The herds gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu in the south. Calving peaks in February, with thousands of newborns a day, and predators are active.
- April to May: The herds move north through the central and western Serengeti. It’s rainy, but the herds are on the move and lodges are cheaper.
- June to July: Animals reach the Grumeti River in the west, with the first crossings, though these are less dramatic than those on the Mara.
- July to October: The herds are in the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara. The Mara River crossings are the best-known spectacle. August and September are the safest bet.
- November to December: The animals head south again as the short rains arrive.
You can see fine wildlife outside the migration, so don’t plan an entire trip around a single event. If you want crossings, aim for late July to September and be prepared to wait.
Other parks
Ngorongoro Crater can be visited year-round. The dry months bring more vehicles, while the green season has fewer people and better light.
Amboseli is best from June to October, when Kilimanjaro is more likely to be visible in the mornings and elephants gather around the swamps.
Tarangire is at its best between June and October, when elephants concentrate along the river.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but January–March and June–October have the best conditions.
Beach seasons
The coasts of Kenya and Tanzania, including Zanzibar, Diani, Watamu and Pemba, have their own calendar.
- June to October: Dry, sunny and breezy, the most comfortable time. Seas can be a little choppy on exposed east-facing beaches.
- December to February: Hotter and more humid, with calm seas and good diving. Peak holiday prices apply around Christmas.
- April and May: The heaviest rain of the year. Many small hotels shut, and the sea is cloudy.
- November: Showers, but plenty of sunshine in between.
If you want a safari followed by a beach, June to October or January to February are the most reliable combinations.
Choosing by priority
| If you want… | Go in… |
|---|---|
| River crossings | Late July–September |
| Newborn calves and predators | January–March |
| Fewest crowds and low prices | April–May, November |
| Best overall weather | June–October |
| Photography with green landscapes | November–December, March–May |
Practical advice
Book the best camps for peak months at least six to nine months ahead. Pack layers: mornings on game drives are cold, midday is hot. Bring a rain jacket for the green seasons, and carry binoculars. Budget extra for park fees, which are higher in high season in some parks.
Next, see our guide to top destinations in East Africa, the must-see list and the broader Africa travel guide.