Serengeti National Park has a mild, pleasant climate shaped by its elevation and equatorial location. Temperatures are warm year-round, with daytime highs of 25–28°C and cool to cold nights, especially from June to September. The park experiences two rainy seasons – long rains from March to May and short rains from November to December – while the rest of the year is mainly dry and sunny.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
The Serengeti’s climate is defined by its subtropical highland setting, with elevations ranging from 1,140 to 2,099 metres. This results in moderate temperatures throughout the year, rarely becoming uncomfortably hot. Daytime highs generally range from 25–28°C, while nighttime lows can drop to 13–16°C, and even close to freezing during occasional cold fronts in June and July. The weather is typically clear and sunny in the dry season, but nights and early mornings are chilly, so warm clothing is recommended for early game drives.
The park’s rainfall pattern features two distinct wet seasons: the short rains in November–December and the long rains from March to May. The long rains are the wettest period, especially in April, when daily showers and thunderstorms are common, though rain rarely lasts all day. Annual rainfall averages 900–1,000 mm, but varies by region. The north can receive up to 1,400 mm, while the southeast is drier. Even in the wet season, sunshine is frequent, and the landscape turns lush and green. Winds are generally stronger from June to November, averaging 12–15 km/h, and humidity is moderate, peaking during the rains. The Serengeti enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually, making it a year-round destination for wildlife and nature lovers.
| Average climate data for Serengeti National Park, Tanzania | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 24 | 30 | 29 | 17 | 30 | 41 | 33 | 35 | 19 | 25 | 29 | 32 | 346 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 155 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 23 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 74 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 87 | 84 | 79 | 75 | 77 | 79 | 78 | 77 | 80 | 83 | 87 | 87 | 81 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 17 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 14 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 62 | 61 | 52 | 43 | 46 | 48 | 44 | 43 | 47 | 53 | 59 | 64 | 52 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Serengeti National Park is from June to October, during the long dry season. These months offer warm days, cool nights, clear skies, and the best wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water sources and vegetation is sparse. This period coincides with the Great Migration river crossings and minimal rain, making it ideal for safaris and photography.
The least favourable time to visit is from March to May, during the long rains. Heavy showers can make some roads muddy or impassable, limit wildlife sightings, and disrupt outdoor activities. While the park is lush and green, some lodges close, and photographic opportunities may be reduced due to cloudy skies and wet conditions.
The Serengeti has warm, pleasant days (25–28°C) and cool to cold nights. It experiences two rainy seasons—short rains (Nov–Dec) and long rains (Mar–May)—with the rest of the year mostly dry and sunny.
June to October is the best time for wildlife viewing, with dry, sunny weather, minimal rain, and the Great Migration river crossings. January to February is also excellent for calving season and predator action.
The Serengeti receives about 900–1,000 mm of rain annually, with the north getting up to 1,400 mm and the southeast less than 800 mm. Most rain falls during the long rains (Mar–May) and short rains (Nov–Dec).
Yes, nights and early mornings can be chilly, especially from June to September, when temperatures can approach freezing during cold fronts. Warm clothing is recommended for early game drives.
No, the Serengeti’s elevation keeps temperatures moderate year-round. Days are warm but rarely hot, and humidity is moderate, peaking during the rainy seasons. The air is generally dry and comfortable.
Rain can make some roads muddy or impassable, especially during the long rains (Mar–May). Most showers are short and in the afternoon, but travellers should remain flexible and bring waterproof gear.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, light clothes for warm days, sun protection, a hat, and a rain jacket for the wet season. Waterproof shoes and a fleece are useful year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (22.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (4.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 14.1 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (13.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (1.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (41 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (17.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 345.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (15.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (10 days). Over the whole year there are 155.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (27.7 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 74.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (3.2 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 10.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (87.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (75 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 81.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (17.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (11.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 14 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (64.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (42.6 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 51.9 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 7.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 6.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.3.
