Tanzania’s low season is defined by two periods – the first is April through May, the long rainy season. The second is November through mid-December, the short rainy season. These two periods coincide with the lull in outbound travel from the western hemisphere when key tourist markets, like the USA, are experiencing non-vacation seasons. The low season offers a lot of gems and is a favorite safari time among safari aficionados. Following are the reasons why.
1) Great value for money
There are significant savings to be scored during this time of the year. Different tourism segments in Tanzania lower rates, including the national parks and accommodation properties, leading to savings of 10-30%. International airfare also tends to be much less expensive, with savings of up to 50%.
2) Free of crowds
Low tourist numbers means low volumes inside the national parks and a more peaceful and exclusive experience for you!
3) Prolific wildlife sightings
Psst psst… the wildlife exists all year round. The onset of the rains brings the promise of food and water, so the parks come alive with new young – calves, cubs, puppies, piglets, and everything in between.
4) Special photographic opportunities
The rains are patchy and rarely a perpetual downfall, coloring the savannah a viridescent green. The season brings a dramatic and moody sky, lush savannah grasslands and flowering buds, all spectacular backdrops for photography.
5) Cooler weather
Tanzania’s climate generally offers warm and tropical weather throughout the year. The low season offers cooler weather, with highs of 84 ͦF/28 ͦC and lows of 55 ͦF/12 ͦC. You will need warm clothes (i.e. heavy sweater, warm hat and pants) in high altitude areas like Ngorongoro Crater.
6) Unique experiences
The green season is a time of bounty for fresh grasses and insects which attract migratory bird species. Two examples are the Amur falcon, which migrates through here all the way from China, an estimated 22,000 km annually, and the Northern Wheatear, which migrates from Alaska, an estimated 15,000 km journey.
The wildebeest migration is also expected to be in Tanzania’s south central Serengeti ecosystem and has just finished with the calving and rutting season by March. It is here that the herds give birth, and a new generation is born, here that the cycle is reborn with new life.
7) Booking flexibility
With lower tourist numbers, there is much more lodge availability, so you don’t have to book far in advance. Furthermore, many properties offer longer stay deals, such as stay 4 nights and pay for 3. While some smaller tented camps close during this season for maintenance and repair, many others stay open.
8) Support the local economy
Traveling during the low season helps to support the local economy when there is a lull in the industry, providing much-needed employment to those who rely on tourism. You can be assured of genuine, warm smiles from the communities you visit during your trip.
9) Sustainability
The low season is a time when tourism is more responsible. Big crowds impact the environment, so traveling at a less crowded time helps to preserve these precious lands. Furthermore, the rains make more water sources available for wildlife, spreading them out throughout the parks and therefore spreading visitors out over a wider area. You will also stay in lodges that are being under-utilized, making use of resources that already exist.
Contact your Trip Expert now to start planning the trip of a lifetime.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What happens to the wildlife in Tanzania during the low season?
The wildlife is present and thriving in the low season. The rains create a period of bounty and the genesis of migration cycles in these wildlife havens.
What is the best time of the year to do a African luxury safari in Tanzania?
June to October are popular months for a safari to most East African countries. It is the dry season during which wildlife tends to gather around the scarce water sources. These are also the cooler months of the year.
Can I combine my African luxury safari with another adventure during the low season?
Activities outside of your safari vehicle will be a challenge to do in the rainy season. The heavy rains make it muddy which makes active tour and other attractions a challenge. Activities like Mt. Kilimanjaro trekking, walking safaris and Zanzibar beach holiday are best done during dry season (June to October). It is also possible to do these activities during the short rainy season (November – December).
*Photography Credit: Alisha Bragg ([email protected])
