5 Reasons To Choose The Wet Season For Your Tanzania Safari

5 Reasons To Choose The Wet Season For Your Tanzania Safari

Planning a safari in Tanzania, the first thing that comes to mind for the majority of travellers is the dry season as the best time to go. Nevertheless, the wet season, typically between March and May and in November, has its own special appeal and several benefits that are often overlooked.

Greener sceneries and fewer people, amazing wildlife experiences are some of the reasons why your Tanzania safari during the wet season can turn out to be more natural and fulfilling. Here are 5 reasons why you need to think about the green season as your next adventure.

1. Stunning scenery and green landscapes

Tanzania’s landscapes are the most lush during the wet season. The rains transform the plains of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Tarangire into a sea of lush greenness full of wildflowers. Waterholes and rivers are replenished, making glistening reflections and providing life in the parks.

Photographers will find scenery unparalleled, clearer skies following rain, dramatic storm clouds and vibrant colour all combine to produce postcard-perfect backgrounds. The wet season is unmatched, in case you need a Tanzania safari that will display the natural beauty of Tanzania in its most pristine form.

2. Fewer tourists and Personal Safaris

Fewer tourists is one of the greatest benefits of travel in the wet season. The green season is a calmer and intimate experience as opposed to the dry season, where the Tanzania safari vehicles will crowd together to get a good look at the popular sighting.

Lodges and camps are less crowded, and the game drives are more intimate, and you have more time to enjoy the wildlife and the landscape without distraction. It also implies that the rates of accommodation are lower in most cases, and a luxury Tanzania safari can be more affordable at this time.

3. Good Birdwatching Opportunities

The wet season in Tanzania is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. European and Asian migratory birds come in high numbers and combine with the resident species to produce an exquisite mix. Lake Manyara and Serengeti, and Arusha National Park are all covered in wetlands alive with flamingos, pelicans, storks, and an endless variety of smaller species putting on spectacular shows. Rains also fall during the breeding season, and so the traveller will be able to witness the birds in their full colourful plumage and engaging in special mating and nesting habits.

4. Awesome Wildlife and Calving Season at the Serengeti

However, unlike what many people think, wildlife viewing in the wet season can be equally as good, or even better, than in the dry months. Southern plains of the Serengeti turn into the scene of one of the most spectacular phenomena in the animal world, the wildebeest calving season. In January to March, there is a birth of more than half a million calves, which attracts predators that include lions, cheetahs and hyenas in dramatic hunting scenes.

It is a season when visitors get a unique opportunity to observe the circle of life and predator-prey relationships taking place right in front of their eyes. Outside the Serengeti, elephants, giraffes and antelopes are more visible against the green background, and there is plenty of food so that animals are active and healthy.

5. Luxury at Lower Prices and Value for Money

The other attractive factor to select the wet season is that it is good value. Lodges and safari operators also slash their prices down by a considerable margin, so travellers can stay in luxury accommodation, have their own guide and/or stay longer at a very low rate in comparison to high season. This creates an opportunity to have such experiences as staying in boutique tented camps in the Serengeti or staying in exclusive lodges near Ngorongoro Crater, which would otherwise be unaffordable. You will be able to enjoy a luxurious Tanzania safari at a more affordable price with fewer people and cheaper offers.

Other Advantages of the Wet Season Safari

Other than the five core reasons, the wet season has other unobvious benefits. Game drives are more comfortable in the cooler weather following rains. The availability of water in the parks implies that animals are not restricted to certain watering holes; hence, more variety can be seen. There is abundant vegetation which supports not only the wildlife, but also makes the landscape more picturesque.

Travellers who are interested in cultural experiences will also have a lower number of other tourists to interact with, such as Maasai villages near the Ngorongoro or Hadzabe tribes around Lake Eyasi.

Wet Season Safari Tips

There is a little preparation when it comes to travelling during the wet season. The roads might be muddy, and it is therefore important to consider a good 4×4 vehicle. You should pack waterproof clothing, insect repellent, and quick-dry gear to make your trip comfortable.

It is also prudent to plan with a tour operator that has experience in wet-season safaris because he or she will know where to go and which lodges are most appropriate during this period. The trick is to take it as an adventure and have fun in the unpredictable beauty that the rains have to offer.

Conclusion

A wet season safari in Tanzania is not an alternative to a dry season one; it is a totally different activity with its own benefits. Whether it is the experience of observing the wildebeest calving season and amazing birdlife, the lush scenery and the absence of crowds, the green season offers an unrivalled experience at a great price.

In case you are seeking a safari where you get to enjoy authenticity, serenity and natural beauty all in one, then the wet season will be the ideal time to visit the iconic parks and reserves in Tanzania.