Tanzania Safaris during High Season Vs the Low Season
Tanzania Safaris during High Season Vs the Low Season
Tanzania is among the most popular safari destinations in Africa, with memorable wildlife activities in its national parks and game reserves. Whether it is the great Serengeti plains or the game-filled Ngorongoro Crater, or the isolated wilderness of Ruaha, each season has something to offer. To a traveller who has dreamt of a perfect Tanzania safari, the difference between high season and low season is important to have a good time during his/her visit. Each has its charms, advantages and disadvantages, and being aware of which one fits your travel personality can be the difference between heaven and hell.
When is the High Season in Tanzania?
Tanzania is generally in high season from late June to October, and late December to early March. These are months of the dry season, when there is little rain, clear skies and when wildlife observation is at its peak. Many of the safari lovers believe that this is the best time to visit since animals are concentrated around the water sources, hence easy to see. It is also the time when the spectacular Great Wildebeest Migration is in full action in the northern Serengeti, especially between July and September, where dramatic river crossings can be seen to draw tourists worldwide.
It is also the high season, which coincides with the summer vacation and holiday times in the Northern Hemisphere, which increases the use of parks and lodges. This is the time that the best safari areas in Tanzania, such as Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara, are most active in terms of both wildlife and tourists.
Advantages of High-Season Safaris
High-season safaris are mainly attractive due to the best game viewing. Arid land drives the animals to compacted locations around rivers and waterholes, where photographers and wildlife enthusiasts can have clear, wide-open views. The crossing of the migration in the Serengeti is world-renowned for being intense and dramatic, and tourists get a once-in-a-lifetime experience of survival as thousands of wildebeest and zebras encounter crocodile-infested waters.
The other advantage is accessibility. The parks have roads that are easier to travel during the dry months, and heavy rains are unlikely to affect game drives. It is also a nice weather where the days are warm and nights cooler, which is ideal both during the day when one can explore and at night when one can sit by the campfire.
The cons of High Season Safaris
The popularity of high season has its price, quite literally and figuratively. Hotels, lodges, and safari packages are at peak rates with most of the places being booked months ahead. The most popular regions, such as the central Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, can be crowded, and this might make the tourists feel less of a wilderness when they want to have a secluded experience. This is the drawback of the people who desire a more exclusive safari, especially at the peak of the migration sites.
When is the Low Season in Tanzania?
The low season is usually in April, May and November, which have more rain and fewer tourists. The long and short rains are in April and May, and in November, respectively. Although this is not a popular time to visit here to have a traditional safari, it is equally rewarding to some travelers of certain travellers.
Tanzania has a rich, green low season during which the landscape is green and dramatic skies are well accompanied by a rich birdlife. Migratory birds come in full blast, and it is a paradise for birdwatchers. Although the Great Migration is on the move in the southern Serengeti at this time, calving season in January and February and just before the rains start, can also be regarded as one of the quieter months in some regions.
There are benefits to the low-season safaris.
The greatest advantage of travelling during the low season is cost-effectiveness. Most lodges and camps have much lower prices, up to 40% off of high season. It allows one to have luxury stays and long stays without straining the budget. The parks are also much less crowded, providing the travellers with a more intimate experience with nature.
The other benefit is the beautiful landscape. The green season turns the bush into a paradise of wildflowers and animals in superb condition due to the abundance of grazing. This is a good time of year when photographers can take vivid emotional shots with stormy skies and new landscapes.
Disadvantages of Low-Season Safaris
Accessibility is the primary problem of the low-season safaris. Heavy rains can make some roads impassable, especially in the wild parks, and animals are likely to be more dispersed due to the availability of water sources. This implies that game drives can be more patient and challenging in locating animals by guides. Moreover, some lodges in the remote regions are closed during the long rains, thus reducing accommodation facilities in some regions.
Best Time to Visit Tanzania: A Specific Safari Experience
In case you want to see the Great Migration river crossings, you will have the best chance during the high season, which is July to September. January and February are the best months in the southern Serengeti to see the wildebeest calving season. The off-season may be more appropriate for bird watchers and photographers who would love the rich scenery and the different species of birds.
In the case of those who include a safari with a Zanzibar beach holiday, either season has attractive possibilities. The high season is synonymous with sunshine and clear waters, whereas the low season offers cheaper prices and does not have so many people at the beach.
High Season/Low Season
This will be based on your travel interests, budget and your tolerance of crowds. High season is the obvious choice in case you place a premium on the greatest likelihood of seeing big game, are not concerned about paying a premium price, and would rather have dry weather. On the other hand, the low season may be the best if you are planning to have a more relaxing, less costly safari that would provide you with dramatic scenery and unusual photo opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Depending on whether you prefer the high season filled with busy migration scenes or the low season with beautiful landscapes, Tanzania offers an amazing safari experience in all months of the year. The secret is to match your travel style to the season, which will offer you the experiences that you most want. Regardless of the time of year, Tanzania will give you memories of a lifetime with its varied wildlife, spectacular scenery, and the finest parks in the world.
