| SUMMER: December - March |
| WINTER: March - May |
| The Tanzanian climate is tropical on the coast, on the islands, and in
Selous. It is temperate inland and in the other parks.
Tanzania has two distinct annual rainfall patterns, which prevail in different areas of the country:
In the south, west, south-west and central regions of Tanzania the rainfall is unimodal - there is one rainy season,
which occurs between December and April.
In the northern and eastern regions of the country the rainfall is
bimodal, with two rainy seasons. The 'short rains' or Vuli last from October to December, and the 'long rains' or
Masika last from March to May.
The warm Tanzanian summer lasts from mid-December till March, roughly corresponding with the rainy period of
the south, west, and central region of the country. Winter, from June to October, is dry and cold across the country.
Tanzania's mountains are notable exceptions to its complex but otherwise regular climate. Temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru
drop below freezing
Between June and August it can be very cold at the Ngorongoro Crater, but Mnemba island is lovely at this time of year. Conditions improve
greatly later in the year - Ngorongoro is wonderful from October to December, when the short rains occur.
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| Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable
throughout the year. The most practical items to pack are:
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Khaki, brown, white and beige colours |
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Light cotton tops and cotton trousers/shorts in summer |
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Long sleeved blouses/shirts for game drives. They will protect
you from the sun and from mosquitoes |
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Safari trousers for evenings and cooler days |
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Fleece, or sweater, and a warm jacket for game drives (and at
Ngorongoro Crater) |
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Swimwear is a must for the beach and for Kleins and Grumeti Camps, which have pools |
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A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen |
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Comfortable walking shoes |
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For climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, thermal underwear,
light layers, a sweater, warm jacket, good socks, and sturdy boots |
| When visiting Zanzibar, it is important for women to dress modestly to avoid offending
Muslim cultural beliefs. Men should not wear shorts on the main island, and women should wear dresses
that cover their shoulders and knees. This does not apply on Mnemba Island. |
| Tanzania offers an astonishing diversity and concentration
of wildlife, from the immense Serengeti and towering Mount Kilimanjaro
to the remote national parks of Katavi and Mahale.
The best months for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro are from August to October
and from January to March.
Tanzania is a year-round birding destination boasting over 1000 species, but it is particularly good
at the height of the northern hemisphere's winter (December to February), when some 160 species of
migrating birds make their way south.
Tanzania is also a botanical treasure-trove, with habitats ranging
from Afro-Alpine to semi-desert. January/February and June/July (the months after
the bimodal rainy seasons) make for the best floral displays.
For game viewing, the best time to visit Tanzania depends on your priorities. Much of Katavi National Park
is accessible only during the dry season (June to mid-October), and this is also the best time to
visit Tarangire.
In the Serengeti, the wet season is the best time to see the enormous herds of wildebeest, though the migration
patterns vary and are difficult to predict. The dry season is best for seeing predators.
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