The ideal times to plan your Tanzania Tours are from December to March or from June to October. During these periods, the weather is generally mild and dry, making it perfect for wildlife viewing. The main rainy season usually occurs from April to May, with a shorter wet season in November. These rainy seasons attract fewer tourists but contribute to lush vegetation, ideal for grazing animals. February is particularly special as it marks the calving season for mammals like wildebeest, offering a unique opportunity to witness newborns taking their first steps and engaging with their surroundings.

The Great Migration is the world’s largest animal migration, involving over two million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Each year, these animals travel in a clockwise direction across the ecosystems of the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. The migration is a continuous cycle, but the best times to witness it in the Serengeti, Southern Tanzania, are from December to early March. During April to May, which marks the long rainy season, the herds start moving northward across the central and western Serengeti, grazing along the way. From June to July, they progress through the western corridor of the Serengeti as they head further north towards the Masai Mara.

Tanzania brims with safari park options, including the vast Serengeti National Park, the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater and the wildlife-rich Tarangire National Park. Secluded in Tanzania’s remote southern reaches, the vast expanses of Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous) National Parks offer exceptional game viewing for travellers willing to venture off the beaten track. A journey to Tanzania also affords the opportunity to climb Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, while the island hideaway of Zanzibar invites guests to relax amid a beachfront paradise of sun, sand and surf.

The term “Big Five” refers to the lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and Cape buffalo — Africa’s topmost predators, and must-sees on every safari adventure throughout Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa.

While both destinations are known for their exceptional game viewing, Tanzania’s majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, coffee plantations, tropical coastline and island paradise of Zanzibar distinguish it from its neighbor to the north. Broadly speaking, Tanzania’s climate tends to be more tropical than Kenya’s, with more lush, green landscapes. Given their proximity and intersection of the Great Migration, these two countries are often combined into one journey.

Tourist Visas are required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders travelling to Tanzania. Great Image Expedition recommends an Electronic Tourist Visa (eVisa). To apply online, visit eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa.