JANUARY

The weather almost everywhere is hot, especially along the coast. It’s also dry, including on Kilimanjaro, and this dry. The warm season from December into February can be an ideal time to scale the mountain.

ZANZIBAR – Swahili Festival

This art and cultural festival are held every four months on Zanzibar Island, each time with a different focus.

FEBRUARY

The weather continues to be hot, but in parts of the country, the rains start falling, giving relief from the drought and bringing green landscapes, flowers, and birds.

Orchids in Titulo Nation Park

The blooms of orchids (over 4.0 species have been identified), as well as irises, geraniums, and many other wildflowers, carpet Kitulo Plateau in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. It’s the rainy, muddy, well-equipped hikers that will be rewarded.

Sauti za Busara

This three-day music and dance festival (www.busaramusic.org) in Zanzibar Town’s Stone Town is center on all things Swahili, both traditional and modern.

Wildebeest Calving Season

In one of nature’s greatest spectacles, over 8000 wildebeest calves are born each day in southern Serengeti, although about 40% of these will die before they are four months old.

MARCH

The long rains move into full swing by late March, although it seldom rains all day or every day. Some hotels close. Those that remain open often offer low-season discounts, and you’ll have many areas to yourself.

Jalada Mobile Literary & Arts Festival

Dates and locations vary for this mobile festival, which travels throughout. East Africa celebrating cultural diversity and promoting cross-cultural literary and artistic exchanges with workshops, performances, film screenings, and more.

Kilimanjaro Marathon

This marathon (www.kilimanjaromarathon.com) is something to do around Kilimanjaro foothills, in case climbing to the summit isn’t enough it’s held in late February or early March in Moshi, with a half-marathon, a 10km wheelchair marathon, and a 5km fun run also available.

Nyama Choma Festival

Self-described as ‘the largest barbecue showcase festival in East Africa’ this is the place to try one of Tanzania’s favorite meals, prepared in the seemingly infinite variety by master chefs. Held several times annually.

APRIL

The rains begin to taper off in some areas, although much of the country remains wet. Green landscapes, wildflowers, and birds, plus continued low season prices, make this a delightful time to travel if you can avoid the mud.

Wildebeest Migration Begins

The wildebeest-until now widely scattered over the southern Serengeti and the western reaches of Ngorongoro Conservation Area- begin to form thousands-strong herds that start migrating north and west in search of food.

JUNE

With the ending of the rains, the air is clear and landscapes are slowly beginning to dry out. Temperatures are also considerably cooler.

Bulabo Dance Festival

This festival features rival dance teams; each competes to win the most audience members using animals such as snakes, hyenas, and porcupines. It’s held in late May or June and timed to coincide with the Christian Corpus Christi feast day (www.Sukumamuseum.org).

Serengeti Wildebeest Migration

As the southern Serengeti dries out, vast wildebeest herds continue migrating northwestward in search of food, crossing the Grumeti River en route. The timing of the crossing (which lasts about a week) varies from year to year, anywhere from May to July.

JULY

Cool, dry July marks the start of peak travel season, with higher prices (and crowds) for safaris and lodges. It’s an optimal wildlife-watching month, with sparse vegetation and animals congregating at dwindling water sources.

Dry Season Wildlife Watching

As rivers and streams dry out, animals congregate around remaining water sources, and it’s common to see large herds of elephants and more. Katavi and Tarangire parks are particularly notable for their dry season wildlife watching in late July and August.

Festival of the Dhow Countries

This two-week extravaganza of dance, music, film, and literature from Tanzania and other Indian Ocean countries has the Zanzibar International Film Festival (www.ziff.or.tz) as its centerpiece. It’s held in early to mid-July at various locations in the Zanzibar Archipelago.

Mwaka Kogwa

This sometimes raucous four-day festival in late July marks Nairuzim (the Shirizi New Year). Festivities are best in Makunduchi on Zanzibar Island.

Ruaha Marathon

This marathon (www.ruahamarathon.org) in and around Iringa is a good way to test your fitness and to see the Southern Highlands. There are also races for runners with disabilities.

AUGUST

Dry weather continues, as does the Serengeti wildebeest migration. Wildlife watching almost everywhere is at its prime.

Mara River Crossing

By August – often earlier the wildebeest make their spectacular crossing of the Mara River into Kenya’s Masai Mara, before roaming south again in anticipation of the rains.

SEPTEMBER

September is a delightful month throughout the country, with pleasant temperatures, dry weather, good animal – spotting, and many things to do.

Bagamoyo International Festival of Arts & Culture

This is a somewhat unorganized but fascinating week of traditional music, dance, drama, acrobatics, poetry reading, and more, sponsored by the Bagamoyo College of Arts (www.tasuba.ac.tz) and featuring local and regional ensembles. Dates vary.

Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races

Tanzania’s answer to the Royal Ascot, with proceeds going to charity, Sponsor a goat or there, and come join in the festivities (www.goatraces.co.tz). Dates vary.

OCTOBER

The weather is mostly dry throughout the country. With a profusion of lavender jacaranda blossoms in higher-lying towns and some rain. It’s still a fine time for wildlife watching, without the crowds of July and August.

NOVEMBER

Increasing temperatures are mitigated by the arrival of mango season and by the short rains that are now falling in many areas. It’s still a pleasant travel time, before the holiday travel high season.

Karibu Music Festival

This lively festival (http://karibumusic.org) has grown fast and is now one of Tanzania’s largest music festivals. It’s held in Bagamoyo; dates vary.

DECEMBER

December’s holidays and hot, dry weather bring many visitors. It’s an ideal time to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and to see the wildebeest in southern Serengeti.

Swahili Fashion Week

The largest showcase for East African design (www.swahilifashionweek.com), this event is held annually in December.