Tanzania weather in December is warm and green, with daytime highs of about 25 to 30 degrees Celsius on the northern safari circuit and brief afternoon showers from the short rains rather than all-day rain. December sits at the tail of the vuli short rains, so the bush is thick, wildlife spreads out, and skies clear fast. Conditions vary by region, from the parks around Tarangire and the Serengeti to the hot coast and cooler ground near Kilimanjaro.
What December Weather Feels Like in Tanzania
December falls within Tanzania’s short rains, known locally as the vuli, which run through roughly November and December in the northern half of the country. These are not the long, heavy rains of March to May. They usually arrive as brief downpours in the late afternoon or overnight, clearing to bright, warm days.
So a typical December day on safari starts clear, warms up quickly, and may see a short, sharp shower later on before the sky opens again. Humidity is higher than in the dry months, the grass is long and green, and rivers and swamps fill up. Early December tends to be wetter, while the second half of the month often dries out a little, which is part of why the Christmas and New Year period is popular.
December on the Northern Safari Circuit
The northern parks, including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, are the heart of most December safaris. Expect warm days, green scenery and a landscape that looks very different from the dusty dry season. Afternoon showers are common but rarely wash out a whole game drive.
In Tarangire, December green season means the big dry-season elephant concentrations along the river have eased, since animals no longer depend on the permanent water and can spread across the wider park and the Randilen and Gursi areas. Game viewing is still good, just less concentrated. The Ngorongoro Crater holds its wildlife year-round because the caldera walls keep animals in, so it stays a strong December choice whatever the weather does above.
The Wildebeest Migration in December
December weather steers the Great Migration. As the short rains green up the southern Serengeti plains, the wildebeest and zebra herds move down from the north and central areas toward the short-grass plains around Ndutu, arriving through December in the build-up to the calving season in January and February.
This means the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area are usually the best base for migration viewing late in the month, though the herds follow the rain rather than the calendar and their exact position shifts year to year. If seeing the migration is your main goal in December, the southern plains are where to point the trip.
December on the Coast and in Zanzibar
Down on the coast and in Zanzibar, December is hot and humid, with sea temperatures warm enough for easy swimming and snorkelling. Short rains touch the islands too, usually as brief showers rather than steady grey days, and there is plenty of sunshine between them.
This makes December a common time to pair a northern safari with a few days on the beach, since the warm sea and mostly bright weather suit diving, dhow trips and relaxing after the parks. Late December, over the holidays, is one of Zanzibar’s busiest and priciest stretches, so book early if you want the popular beaches.
Temperatures by Region in December
Tanzania spans lowland plains, high crater rim and coastal islands, so a single figure does not cover it. The table below gives rough daytime ranges for December. Actual conditions vary with altitude and the weather on the day.
| Region | Typical December daytime temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serengeti and Tarangire plains | 25 to 30 degrees Celsius | Warm days, short afternoon showers |
| Ngorongoro Crater rim | 15 to 22 degrees Celsius | Cooler and can be misty, chilly nights |
| Zanzibar and the coast | 28 to 32 degrees Celsius | Hot, humid, warm sea |
| Arusha and Moshi | 22 to 28 degrees Celsius | Mild, gateway towns for the northern circuit |
The Ngorongoro Crater rim is the one that surprises people. It sits above 2,000 metres, so nights there are cold and mornings can be foggy even when the plains below are hot. Pack a warm layer if your trip includes a night on the rim.
Wildlife Viewing in December: The Trade-Offs
December game viewing comes with a clear give and take. The green season brings newborn animals, active predators and superb birding, since resident species breed and migrant birds arrive from the northern hemisphere. Photographers like the dramatic skies and clean, dust-free air after a shower.
The cost is that longer grass and full waterholes let animals spread out, so they are harder to spot than in the dry season when they cluster at the river. Sightings are never guaranteed in any month, but December asks a bit more patience on the plains and rewards it with scenery and birdlife the dry months cannot match. For many travellers the greener, quieter parks are worth that trade.
Climbing Kilimanjaro and Trekking in December
December is a shoulder period for climbing Kilimanjaro. Early in the month can still see short-rain showers on the lower forest slopes, while the second half, into the New Year, is often drier and clearer and counts as one of the busier climbing windows. Conditions high on the mountain are cold and unpredictable regardless of the calendar.
For a sense of what a full trip covers and costs, look through our trips to Tanzania.
Trekkers should expect wet, muddy forest sections in early December and better odds of clear summit views later in the month. As always on Kilimanjaro, the weather can turn quickly at altitude, so the season only shifts the odds rather than promising anything.
What to Pack for a December Safari
December packing has to cover a wide spread of conditions in one bag, from hot plains to a cold crater rim and the odd sharp shower. Light, neutral clothing works for the daytime game drives, since browns, greens and khaki sit better in the bush than bright colours or white. Long sleeves and trousers help against sun and insects in the evening.
The two things people forget are a warm layer and a light rain jacket. A fleece or jumper matters for early mornings and for any night on the Ngorongoro rim, where it genuinely gets cold. A packable waterproof handles the short showers without weighing you down. Add a hat, good sunglasses and strong sunscreen, since the sun is fierce between the clouds even when the sky looks grey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Tanzania?
Yes, with the right expectations. December offers warm weather, green landscapes, newborn animals and strong birding, plus the migration herds gathering on the southern Serengeti plains. The short rains bring brief showers rather than washouts. Wildlife is more spread out than in the dry season, so game viewing takes a little more patience.
Does it rain a lot in Tanzania in December?
December sits in the short rains, so expect showers, but they are usually short and fall in the afternoon or overnight rather than lasting all day. Early December tends to be wetter and the second half often dries out. It is far lighter than the long rains of March to May.
How hot is Tanzania in December?
On the safari plains, daytime temperatures usually run 25 to 30 degrees Celsius. The coast and Zanzibar are hotter and more humid at around 28 to 32 degrees. The Ngorongoro Crater rim is much cooler, with cold nights, because of its high altitude.
Where is the wildebeest migration in December?
The herds are usually moving into the southern Serengeti and the Ndutu area as the short rains green the plains, ahead of the January and February calving. Their exact location follows the rain and changes year to year, so the southern plains are the best base but not a fixed guarantee.
Is December good for a beach holiday in Zanzibar?
December is hot, sunny between showers and has a warm sea, which suits swimming, snorkelling and diving. It is a popular time to add a few beach days after a safari. The holiday period from late December is very busy and expensive, so book early.