The short version
East Africa has two dry seasons and two rainy ones. The long dry season, from about June to October, is the classic safari period. A shorter dry spell from late December to February is also excellent. The long rains fall from roughly March to May, and shorter rains arrive in November, though both patterns have become less predictable.
Altitude and geography matter as much as the calendar. Rwanda and western Uganda have rain in most months, and the coast is humid year-round. There’s no bad time to visit, but there are better times for particular things.
Month by month
This table is a general guide. Weather varies from year to year and from place to place.
| Month | Weather | Highlights | Crowds and prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Hot and dry, short green season fading | Calving on the southern Serengeti plains begins, good gorilla trekking | Busy at the start, then quiet |
| February | Hot and dry | Serengeti calving peak, excellent predator viewing, clear skies | Moderate |
| March | Rains start | Green landscapes, fewer visitors | Low |
| April | Heavy rain | Very green, some lodges close, low-season permits in Uganda | Lowest |
| May | Heavy rain, easing | Similar to April, with drier days later in the month | Low |
| June | Dry season begins | Migration moves toward the northern Serengeti, good gorilla trekking | Rising |
| July | Dry, cool | Migration arrives in the Mara from about July, wildlife concentrated at water | High |
| August | Dry | Mara River crossings, peak safari period | Highest |
| September | Dry | Migration still in the Mara and northern Serengeti | High |
| October | Dry to mixed, short rains approaching | Last of the crossings, warm days | High, easing |
| November | Short rains | Green again, birdlife, cheaper Uganda permits | Low |
| December | Mixed, drying | Festive period, calving preparations, warm beaches | High at Christmas and New Year |
The wildebeest migration
The migration doesn’t follow a strict calendar, but a rough annual pattern holds. Herds are on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains from about January to March for calving. They travel north and west from about April to June. From about July to October, they’re in the northern Serengeti and the Maasai Mara, where the Mara River crossings happen. Then they head back south from about late October and November. Our migration calendar explains the season in more detail, including how to time your visit.
Best time by country
Kenya. The Mara is at its best from July to October for the migration, while January to March offers green landscapes and fewer visitors. Amboseli is best in the dry months, and its views of Kilimanjaro are clearer in the morning. The coast is good from December to March and from late June to October. See the Kenya guide.
Tanzania. The northern circuit can be visited nearly all year, except for the long rains in April and May. The southern circuit (Nyerere and Ruaha) is best in the dry season, June to October, when animals gather at rivers. Kilimanjaro climbs are best in January to March and June to October. See the Tanzania guide.
Uganda. Gorilla and chimp trekking is available all year. The driest months, June to September and December to February, make for easier trails. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls are best in the dry season for wildlife. See the Uganda guide.
Rwanda. Rwanda has two dry seasons and two wet seasons. Trekking in the volcanoes is best in June to September and December to February. April is normally the wettest month. See the Rwanda guide.
Best time by interest
Big cats and predators. The dry season, July to October, concentrates wildlife around water. February is also excellent in the southern Serengeti.
Migration river crossings. Roughly July to October in the Mara and northern Serengeti. Crossings are unpredictable.
Calving. Roughly late January to March on the southern Serengeti and Ndutu plains.
Gorillas and chimpanzees. All year, but drier months make hiking easier.
Birdwatching. November to April, when migratory species from Europe and Asia are present and residents are breeding.
Beach. July to October and December to February on the Kenyan and Tanzanian coasts. The long rains are wet and humid.
Kilimanjaro. January to March and June to October.
Photography. The dry months offer clear light and open views. Green season offers dramatic skies and lush backgrounds.
Peak, shoulder and low season
Peak season, roughly July to October and the Christmas and New Year period, is when prices are highest and the best lodges sell out. Shoulder months, such as June, January, February and early November, are a good balance. Low season, roughly April, May and parts of March and November, means lower rates, empty roads and some lodge closures. You’ll trade some predictability and road conditions for savings. Our cost guide has more on how prices change.
Our pick
If you can choose freely and want the best combination of weather, wildlife and value, go in late June or September. Both months are dry and fairly quiet by East African standards, and you’ll have the migration in the Serengeti or Mara. If you want the migration with river crossings, go from late July to early October, and book early. If you’re flexible on the migration and want fewer people, January and February are wonderful.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month for an East Africa safari?
For most people, July to October is the sweet spot. The weather is dry, the grass is short so animals are easy to see, and the wildebeest migration is in the Mara and northern Serengeti. It's also the busiest and most expensive time. January and February are a strong alternative, with green landscapes, calving on the southern Serengeti plains and fewer people.
Can you go on safari in the rainy season?
Yes. The long rains, roughly March to May, are the wettest, and some lodges close, roads can be difficult and prices drop. The short rains in November are usually intermittent showers. Wildlife is still there, and photographers often like the dramatic skies and green backdrops.
When is the best time for gorilla trekking?
June to September and December to February are the driest, so trails are easier. Gorillas can be trekked all year, though, and April, May and November are cheaper in Uganda. Expect mud in the rainy months.
When is the best time to combine safari and a beach?
July to October gives dry weather on both safari and the coast, with cooler and breezier conditions on the beach. January to March is hot on the coast and good for safari. Most of the coast is wet and humid from April to May.
Does the equator mean East Africa has no seasons?
Temperature stays fairly steady through the year, but rainfall doesn't. Most of the region has two wet seasons and two dry seasons, and altitude shapes the weather more than the calendar does. Nairobi at 1,700 m is cool, and the coast is hot and humid.
Trips built around this
Kenya Classic: Lake Nakuru and Maasai Mara in 7 Days
A seven-day Kenya safari from Nairobi: rhinos and flamingos at Lake Nakuru, then three nights in the Maasai Mara, with a flight back and honest notes on cost.
Tanzania Northern Circuit Safari: 8 Days
An eight-day northern circuit from Arusha: Tarangire's elephants, three nights in the Serengeti and a night on the Ngorongoro Crater rim, with a private guide.
Serengeti and Zanzibar: 10-Day Safari and Beach Trip
Ten days pairing Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti with a flight to Zanzibar, a night in Stone Town and two on the beach. A classic Tanzania combination.
Parks mentioned in this guide
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Kenya's best-known reserve: big cats all year and the Mara River crossings from July to October.
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's flagship park and the heart of the Great Migration, with big cats and open plains as far as you can see.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Home to nearly half the world's mountain gorillas, in ancient forest on steep green hills.
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda's gorilla park, just two hours from Kigali, with twelve habituated families and five volcanoes.
Amboseli National Park
Big-tusked elephants walking toward Kilimanjaro. Come for the picture, stay for the herds.
Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Tanzania's biggest wilderness: boat safaris, walking safaris and a river full of hippos, an easy flight from Dar es Salaam.
Keep reading
The Great Wildebeest Migration: Month-by-Month Calendar
Where the wildebeest migration is each month across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, when river crossings happen, when calves are born and how to plan your dates.
How Much Does an East Africa Safari Cost?
A realistic look at East Africa safari prices: per-night ranges for budget, mid-range and luxury, park fees, gorilla permits and what drives the cost up.
Kenya vs Tanzania Safari: Which Is Right for You?
Kenya or Tanzania for your first safari? Compare wildlife, the migration, cost, crowds, logistics and beaches, with a simple guide to who should go where.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda: Permits, Costs and What to Expect
How gorilla trekking works in Uganda and Rwanda: permit prices, how to book, how hard the hike is, what to pack, the rules and how to choose between countries.
Last updated 20 September 2026. Rules, prices and schedules change. We recheck the facts in this guide regularly, but confirm anything that affects your money or your entry to a country with the official source.