Tanzania’s temperature stays warm all year because the country sits just south of the equator, but the real driver is altitude, not the calendar. On the northern safari plains around Tarangire and the Serengeti, daytime highs sit near 25 to 29 degrees Celsius (77 to 84 Fahrenheit), with nights dropping to 10 degrees on the higher crater rim. The coast and Zanzibar run hotter at 28 to 33 degrees. Coolest months are June to August.
Because Tanzania spans sea-level beaches, high inland plateaus and the slopes of Kilimanjaro, a single national temperature does not tell you much. What follows is a month-by-month picture for the two zones most travellers care about: the northern safari highlands and the Indian Ocean coast, including Zanzibar.
How Altitude Shapes Tanzania Temperatures by Month
The single biggest driver of temperature here is elevation, not the month. Arusha, Tarangire and the Serengeti sit between roughly 1,000 and 1,900 metres, which keeps daytime heat moderate and nights cool. The Ngorongoro Crater rim, above 2,200 metres, is noticeably chilly after dark and in the early morning, so a fleece and warm layer earn their place in the bag even in a warm month.
Down at the coast and on Zanzibar, sitting at sea level, the air is warmer and stickier all year. The same calendar month can feel completely different depending on where you are standing, which is why the table below splits the two zones.
Tanzania Temperature by Month at a Glance
These figures are typical daytime highs and overnight lows, useful for packing and for planning a Tanzania safari or beach stay. Weather varies year to year, so treat them as reliable averages rather than guarantees.
| Month | Northern safari highs / lows (°C) | Coast & Zanzibar highs / lows (°C) | General conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28 / 14 | 32 / 24 | Warm, short dry spell after the light rains |
| February | 28 / 14 | 33 / 24 | Hottest inland month, dry and clear |
| March | 27 / 15 | 32 / 24 | Warming humid, long rains begin late month |
| April | 25 / 15 | 30 / 23 | Wettest month, heavy long rains |
| May | 24 / 13 | 29 / 23 | Long rains easing, green and grassy |
| June | 24 / 11 | 29 / 22 | Dry season starts, cool nights inland |
| July | 23 / 10 | 28 / 21 | Coolest month, dry and clear |
| August | 24 / 11 | 28 / 21 | Cool and dry, peak safari conditions |
| September | 26 / 12 | 29 / 22 | Dry, warming gradually |
| October | 27 / 14 | 31 / 23 | Warm and dry, dust building up |
| November | 26 / 15 | 31 / 23 | Short rains arrive, warm and humid |
| December | 27 / 15 | 32 / 24 | Warm, short rains tapering off |
Temperatures in the Dry Season, June to October
The long dry season is the coolest stretch of the year inland and the most comfortable for a safari. Daytime highs on the northern plains hover in the low to mid 20s Celsius, with plenty of sunshine and low humidity. July is usually the coldest month, and early mornings on game drives can be genuinely cold, especially on the open back of a vehicle, so a warm jacket and a hat matter.
Nights and dawns at higher elevations like the Ngorongoro rim can fall to single figures, occasionally near freezing in July. By midday the sun warms things quickly and you shed layers. On the coast and Zanzibar these months are pleasantly warm rather than cool, in the high 20s, with sea breezes taking the edge off the humidity.
Temperatures in the Green Season, November to May
The warmer, wetter months run from November through May, split by a short dry break around January and early February. November brings the short rains, usually brief afternoon downpours rather than all-day grey, and the land turns green. Inland temperatures stay warm but not extreme, with highs in the mid to high 20s.
February is typically the hottest inland month, dry and clear, and a lovely time for wildlife before the long rains set in. April is the wettest month of the year, when the long rains can be heavy and some minor roads and bush camps close. Temperatures actually dip a little in April and May as the cloud and rain build, so it is warm and humid rather than baking.
Coast and Zanzibar Temperatures Through the Year
Zanzibar and the mainland coast stay hot and humid across every month, which is part of the appeal for a beach trip. Daytime highs sit in the high 20s to low 30s Celsius year-round, and the sea stays warm enough for swimming at any time. The most comfortable coastal months tend to be June to October, when humidity eases and the breeze picks up.
January and February are hot and mostly dry on the islands, good for beach and diving. The long rains of April and May bring the heaviest downpours to the coast too, and some smaller island operations scale back during this quieter stretch. Sea temperatures barely change through the year, staying around a warm 26 to 29 degrees.
Southern, Western and Highland Temperatures
The northern circuit and the coast cover most trips, but the southern and western parks follow their own pattern worth knowing. Ruaha and Nyerere in the south sit at lower elevations than the northern plains, so they run hotter, with dry-season highs often in the low 30s Celsius and very warm afternoons from October onward. The wildlife viewing there peaks in the dry months, when the heat is the trade-off for easier sightings around shrinking water.
Kilimanjaro is a world of its own. The mountain creates its own climate through several zones, from warm farmland at the base to freezing alpine desert near the top. Whatever the lowland figures say, summit night temperatures fall well below freezing every month, sometimes to minus 15 or 20 degrees Celsius with wind chill. Anyone climbing packs for genuine winter conditions regardless of the season, while trekkers on the shorter forest walks lower down enjoy mild, warm days.
What Tanzania Temperatures Mean for Packing
The practical takeaway is to pack for a wide daily swing inland, not for a single climate. Even in a warm month, a safari day can start near 10 degrees at dawn and reach the high 20s by early afternoon, so light layers you can add and remove beat any single heavy item. Neutral, lightweight clothing for the day, a warm fleece or jacket for mornings and evenings, and a hat and sunscreen cover most of the year.
For the coast, light and breathable clothing suits the heat and humidity, with modest cover-up options for Stone Town and villages. If you are climbing Kilimanjaro, ignore the lowland figures entirely, since summit temperatures fall well below freezing regardless of the month. Wildlife sightings depend on far more than temperature, so choose your timing around the season and conditions your guide recommends, not the thermometer alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the coldest month in Tanzania?
July is generally the coldest month across the northern safari highlands, with cool days in the low 20s Celsius and chilly nights that can drop to single figures, occasionally near freezing on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The coast stays warm even in July, in the high 20s.
What is the hottest month in Tanzania?
February is usually the hottest month inland, dry and clear with highs around 28 degrees Celsius on the plains. On the coast and Zanzibar, the warmest months run from December through March, with highs into the low 30s and high humidity.
Is it cold on safari in Tanzania?
It can be, early and late in the day. Daytime is warm year-round, but dawn game drives during the dry season, especially at higher elevations like Ngorongoro, are genuinely cold, so a warm jacket, hat and layers are worth packing even when the afternoons are hot.
Does Tanzania have four seasons?
Not in the temperate sense. Tanzania has a warm climate all year, shaped mainly by two rainy periods: the long rains from roughly March to May and the short rains around November to December. Temperature changes far less across the year than rainfall does, and altitude affects it more than the month.
What is the temperature in Zanzibar year-round?
Zanzibar stays hot and humid every month, with daytime highs from about 28 to 33 degrees Celsius. The sea remains warm for swimming all year. The most comfortable months are usually June to October, when the humidity eases and sea breezes pick up.