Tanzania Safari in April and May: The Long Rains Explained

April and May fall in the heart of the long rains, which run roughly from March to May. This is the wettest and quietest time of year in Tanzania, and it is often the best value. It is also the season that divides opinion most.

If you are flexible and do not mind getting wet, it can be a rewarding time to travel. Here is what you need to know before choosing these months.

What the weather is really like

Rain is more frequent and heavier than during the short rains, and some days bring longer spells of steady rain rather than brief showers. Still, many days include dry, bright periods, and game drives go ahead in most conditions. Skies are often cloudy, and humidity is higher at lower elevations.

Weather patterns vary considerably from year to year. Some years the long rains start early or finish late, so treat these months as wet but not uniformly so.

Wildlife in the long rains

Wildlife does not disappear. The Ngorongoro Crater offers dependable game viewing all year, and the Serengeti's resident predators stay put. The migration herds are typically in the southern and central Serengeti, preparing to move northwest as the rains end.

Thick green vegetation can make animals harder to spot in some areas, and animals spread out because water is everywhere. A skilled guide becomes even more valuable at this time.

Birdlife is excellent, with many resident species breeding and wetlands full of activity. Many grazing animals have young at foot, and the Serengeti plains can be dotted with fresh green grazing that draws herds into the open after the rain clears.

Roads and seasonal closures

Some tracks become muddy and slow, particularly black cotton soil areas, and a few remote routes may be avoided. Our guides drive 4x4 vehicles and adapt routes daily.

A number of seasonal and mobile camps close during the long rains, especially in southern parks such as Nyerere and Ruaha, where many camps shut for the season. On Zanzibar, some hotels also close or scale back operations, so check availability before planning a beach extension.

The upside: space and value

This is the quietest period in the parks. Many lodges offer their lowest seasonal rates, and you may share sightings with very few other vehicles. Photographers enjoy moody skies and vivid greens, and the landscapes look completely different from the dry season.

Because demand is low, you also have more choice of guide and vehicle, and lodges that are hard to book in July may have plenty of space. For travelers who want a high-end experience at a gentler cost, the long rains can be a smart compromise, as long as you accept that some days will be wet.

Who should travel now

April and May suit some travelers better than others.

• Good fit: flexible travelers, return visitors and budget-conscious guests.
• Good fit: photographers who love dramatic light and green landscapes.
• Less ideal: first-timers with fixed, high expectations of the dry-season experience.
• Less ideal: Kilimanjaro climbers, as this is the wettest time on the mountain.
• Less ideal: those set on a specific southern camp that may be closed.