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June - October
This is
generally called "The Dry Season". However, the early end, June and July
are often very green and dust-free if the rains have been normal or heavy.
July and August are our coldest months and in August begins to get dry and
dusty. By this time the migration has, for the most part, left the
Serengeti, but the resident game is now more concentrated around the
remaining water sources. Tarangire National Park comes into its own as a
spectacular destination. The short rains sometimes start in October. July
and August are considered peak travel months, and it is one of the busier
times to be in the Parks in the North. Lodges charge full rates and are
often full. Advance booking is essential.
November - December
This is a
beautiful lush, emerald green time of year in Tanzania. There's a good
chance of rain, but it rarely interferes with safari activities. The
landscape needs the moisture after the long dry season and many plants -
particularly the acacia trees - flower at this time. From a general
tourism point of view it is a good time of year to travel since it is
considered "off season" and lodge rates are considerably lower than at
other times of year. There is also the advantage of not having to contend
with many other tourists in the Parks! This is a better time of year for a
last-minute booking as space in lodges and campsites is likely to be
easily available. The intermittent rains produce spectacular conditions
for the professional photographer or filmmaker. The air is crisp and clear
and there are often spectacular cloud formations.
Highly recommended activities at this time of year are:
A Lodge or
Camping Safari including Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Manyara National Park.
Depending on when the rains start, the wildebeest migration might have
already reached the Serengeti plains. There is a greater chance of
catching the migration if you travel during the latter part of December.
December - March
This time
of year is the busiest in North Tanzania. Lodge space and campsites are
booked well in advance. The Serengeti is the prime attraction as the
wildebeest and zebra migration is in full swing, and the wildebeest give
birth in February. This is the time of plenty for all wildlife. The Parks
are green and there is generally little dust, though you can get quite dry
spells in February. Sometimes it can be quite humid and the flies that
accompany the migration can be a nuisance.
Highly recommended at this time of year:
Safari with an emphasis on the
Serengeti National Park. This is prime time
for the Serengeti.
Zanzibar. The Spice Island is great at this time of year. It is busy, but
makes a nice change in climate for those from the Northern Hemisphere.
Climb Kilimanjaro.
April
During April
East Africa experiences what locals call "the long rains". It doesn't
mean, though, that it rains every day - just that there is generally more
rain over this period than we get during the "short rains" .The rains can
be heavy and for this reason April is considered the least acceptable
month for safaris. Several of North Tanzania's Lodges actually shut down
during April, and it can be difficult to get from place to place because
roads are periodically very muddy. Of course, the wildlife is still there
and the wildebeest and zebra enjoy this time of plentiful water and grass.
Highly recommended activities at this time of
year:
Camping / Lodge safari
with plenty of time in Serengeti.
May
East Africa's
best-kept secret, May is a very beautiful time to travel. The Serengeti is
as good for game viewing as during the "peak" season of December - March.
For some reason few people travel at this time of year and many lodges
offer off peak rates. Wild flowers are often abundant.
Highly recommended activities at this time of
year:
Camping or Lodge
Safari with lengthy stay in Serengeti.
Game Drives
Our closest encounters
with animals will be while inside our cars on a game drive. Animals have
an instinctive fear of people, but they have learned that cars are
harmless. Talking and loud noises disturb the animals, as does a lot of
movement inside the car. It's important always to be quiet and move slowly
within the vehicle when close to animals.
Most of Tanzania's National Parks have strict regulations about off-road
driving. These are based on sound ecological principals, and are designed
to preserve the habitats of the Park for future sightseers.
Off-road driving is not
allowed in
Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Parks,
Ngorongoro Crater, or within a 16-mile zone around Seronera in the
Serengeti. Within these areas, however, the road network is extensive
enough to allow for good game viewing.
This regulation does not apply to the vast majority of the Serengeti and
in these areas we will spend much of our time far from tracks and drive
cross-country to find game.
Game drives take place
principally in the early morning and late afternoon, when the animals are
most active and the light is at it's best for photography.
THE MIGRATION
The migration
traditionally follows the rains to take advantage of the new grasses
on the plains of the Serengeti and Masai Mara. Theoretically, if
traditional weather patterns occur annually, the following provides
a basic idea of how the migration moves throughout the year:
Late December/early January Ndutu region,
Tanzania.
Traditionally, this is when the calves are born. The
migration remains passive until April when the calves are strong
enough to start moving north
Early April/May/June Serengeti,
Tanzania.
The migration begins moving northwest following the
long rains across the Serengeti plains towards the western corridor
and the Grumeti River
June/July Western corridor, Tanzania.
The animals gather in the western
corridor
August/September Masai Mara, Kenya
The migration crosses the Grumeti River and moves
north-east into the northern steppes of the Masai Mara
October/November/Early December Masai Mara,
Kenya/Northern Tanzania/ Serengeti.
As the short rains begin in northern Tanzania, the
migration begins to move south back into the Kleins/Lobo region of
the Serengeti. From here, they follow the rains through to Seronera
and end up at Ndutu for the calving season. As the migration follows
the rains, there is no hard and fast rule as to where the animals
will be, and when
Often the animals split into two groups as they
move, resulting in one group moving on the western side and another
group moving on the eastern side of the Serengeti, finally meeting
up at Ndutu or in the Mara. Viewing of the migration can therefore
not be guaranteed.
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Kenya Safari
Magical Tanzania