Best time to plan your African Safari

Deciding which time of year to visit Tanzania can have a huge impact on not only which parks you should visit and what you will see on safari, but also on pricing.

Calving Season-December to March

Named for the calving season of the annual Wildebeest Migration, calving season extends from December through until March and is most notable for the presence of the Wildebeest Migration in the Ndutu region of the Serengeti. At this time of year, tens of thousands of baby Wildebeest take their first steps and the herd remains in Ndutu to feed until it is time to head north.

While hotels can be hard to find over Christmas and New Year's, calving season is nonetheless a fantastic time to visit Tanzania. Crowds are not as high as they are in peak season, but the weather is good and the guarantee of seeing the Wildebeest Migration in Ndutu makes it a great time to visit.

Highlights: Seeing the Wildebeest Migration calving season in Ndutu.

Drawbacks: Expensive lodges around Christmas and New Year's.

Green Season-April & May

The rainy season might not seem like a great time to go on a Tanzanian safari, but the lower crowds mean you'll have access to luxury lodges at a greatly reduced rate.

While tented camps and camping are not ideal in the wet conditions, luxury lodges such as Serena, Sopa, and the Four Seasons are all much more affordable in the rainy season.

Highlights: Staying in luxury lodges in Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.

Drawbacks: Rain means tented camps are less than ideal.

Peak Season-June to September

Without a doubt the most popular time of year to visit Tanzania, June through September is characterised by the movements of the Wildebeest Migration from the Southern Serengeti to the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

For those wanting to see the herd in motion and have the chance to witness a river crossing at Grumeti or the Mara River, this is the best time to visit. Of course, peak season also means higher prices and more crowds to contend with - but many find that the extra cost and crowds are worth it for the chance to see a Mara River crossing.

Highlights: Chasing the Wildebeest Migration across the Central and Northern Serengeti.

Drawbacks: Larger crowds and more expensive lodges.

Shoulder Season-October & November

Sometimes known as the short rainy season, October and November are another quiet time of year in Tanzania. With the Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara at this time of year, your chances of seeing the herd are slim. While lodges aren't as cheap as they are in the rainy season, there are less crowds in the parks. The weather is also better than in the long rainy season, making it a good time to avoid the crowds without having to deal with the rain.

Highlights: Exploring parks such as Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and the Serengeti without the crowds.

Drawbacks: The only time of year where the Wildebeest Migration is not likely to be in Tanzania.

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