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The best time to travel to Tanzania safari depends entirely on what you want to see and experience. The major national parks like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire deliver superb year-round game viewing, but visitor numbers peak from about June to October. Mount Kilimanjaro: the best weather conditions in which to climb are between July and October or January to March. If it’s a tropical beach holiday that you’re after, the best time to visit Tanzania’s coast, Zanzibar and other islands is between June and March.

The best time to travel to Tanzania to see the Wildebeest Migration

The calving or Birthing Season is from January to March. In this period big cat activities are very intense. Rutting period is also around January to March. It is more likely to see mating battles in this period. Grumeti River Crossing can usually be witnessed in May to July. However, Mara River Crossings are normally in July to September. The Wildebeest Migration is a year-round, circular journey and the river crossings cannot be predicted, although they generally occur between May and September. Sometimes the herds stay put for two weeks, other times they could cross four times in one day!

The Green Season

The Green Season is a great season to travel. This is about January to March and November to December. Compared to the high season, which is June to October, it has some great benefits. You will have no big crowds, lowest rates and lots of baby animals. The green seasons name says it all… It offers the greenest and most scenic landscapes with the best light of the year for photography. It is also the best time for bird lovers, as bird watching is at its best. However, you will experience hot and occasional wet weather.

Ngorongoro Crater
This crater is teaming with wildlife - and is one of the few places in Tanzania you will see rhino. The only animal you wont see if the giraffe cause the walls of the crater are too steep for them to descend.
Serengeti National Park
The most famous parks of Africa - the Serengeti, meaning 'Endless Plains'... and the backdrop for the wildebeeste migration
Kilimanjaro International Airport
The main arrival airport to start the northern safari circuit in Tanzania
Arusha
The main 'safari hub' of the northern Tanzania safari circuit.
Tarangire National Park
This park is slightly less 'famous' but offers some fantastic game viewing and has some amazing Baobab tree forests. Slightly less 'busy' than some of the other parks. A favourite...
Lake Manyara National Park
Famous for its resident 'tree climbing lions' the Lake Manyara Park is worth a visit and is a popular lunch stop from Arusha to the Crater.
Selous Game Reserve
Located in the southern Tanzania and offers a diverse safari experience from traditional game drives to some boat experiences.
Dar es Salaam
Southern Tanzania and convenient access if including Selous or Zanzibar into your holiday.

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