When to go to Tanzania

Tanzania is a year-round destination. Daytime temperatures range between 20- 35°C. The long rains fall in April and May; the short rains fall in November. Optimal times for game viewing are specific to each area. The migration is best seen December-July.

 

For northern Tanzania, British Airways, Kenya Airways or Virgin operate daily flights to Nairobi, where you connect with a one-hour flight to Kilimanjaro. KLM operates a daily service to Kilimanjaro airport, an hour from Arusha. For Zanzibar, southern and western Tanzania, British Airways flies to Dar es Salaam 3 times a week; KLM flies daily. The connecting light aircraft flight to Zanzibar takes 25 minutes; to the Selous, about an hour.

Visas are required for Tanzania and Zanzibar. British citizens can purchase visas at point of entry for $50.

Passengers arriving from a yellow fever zone, such as Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, require a vaccination certificate on entry. There are no other compulsory health requirements. Tanzania is a malarial area and precautions should be taken. Always consult your doctor at least six weeks before travel and refer to this useful NHS website for details of recommended vaccinations for your destination.

 

Rob Morley from our East Africa team says, for world-class game viewing, genuine cultural interaction and knock scenery, Tanzania is right at the top of my list. The less explored, southern and western reserves are the places to experience true wilderness, where in some areas it’s said lions outnumber people.”

For more travel advice on Tanzania, read our Frequently Asked Questions.