FAQs for Tanzania in December

1. I’m on a budget, would you recommend December for me? Yes, December is a great month to visit Tanzania for those who are on a budget. With the arrival of the short rains, Tanzania descends into the Low Season which sees a significant reduction in tourist influx. Due to this, a lot of lodges and services reduce their costs.

Although, please note that towards the end of the month tourist influx increases once again as many come to the country for Christmas and New Year holiday. This leads to an increase in prices once again. So if you’re on a budget, you might want to avoid organising your trip during the latter part of the month

2. What exactly is the weather like in December? What should I pack for the trip? In November, the temperatures can go as high as 30°C / 86°F during the day and go as low as 16°C / 60°F during the night. With the arrival of the rain, humidity increases, however it does not get too warm. Conditions still remain pleasant.

During the day, regular trousers, T-shirts, jeans etc. would be sufficient, although for night time you may require some warmer clothing like a pullover, fleece jacket, or a coat depending upon your tolerance.

3. Will it rain during my tour? Tanzania experiences thunderstorms and downpours during this month but they mostly occur at night and are not very frequent, so they won’t impede your trip. If the downpours do occur during the day they will halt your trip for only about a couple of hours.

You won’t find completely dry and dusty roads, some patches may even get muddy, but they will remain accessible in general.

4. How is wildlife viewing during this month? While Tanzania gets greener in December, the foliage does not get thick enough to hide animals from your view. In addition, the number of watering holes that attract animals still remain limited. Therefore, you will get an excellent view of the wildlife during this month.

5. I’m interested in Birding. Will I be able to spot any birds during my safari in November? Yes, you will come across birds such as Flamingoes, Ostriches, Kori Bustards, Turacos, Marabou Storks, Spoonbills, Herons, Francons, Vultures, Lilac Breasted Rollers, and so many more. In addition, as migratory birds begin to arrive, you will also be able to spot birds such as Harriers, Kestrels, Wheaters and more.

6. How far in advance should I book my safari if I wish to visit in December? November is a part of the low season so accommodations do not fill up quickly. Even so, we would recommend starting the process about 4 to 6 months in advance. However, people do make their bookings 1 to 2 months in advance as well and manage to get accommodations and flights of their choice.

If you wish to visit the country to celebrate Christmas or New Year then we would recommend starting the booking process about 7 to 9 months in advance as the tourist influx increases during the holidays and it can get difficult to find accommodations and flights.

7. With the onset of rains, do I need to worry about Tsetse flies? Yes, the tsetse flies and mosquitoes are bound to increase with the arrival of rains, so it is best to carry insect repellent. You can also request insect repellents and mosquito nets from your accommodation.

8. Will I be able to watch calving in December in Southern Serengeti? While herds do arrive in Southern Serengeti and Ndutu by late December, calving properly starts in January and reaches its peak in February. Even so, at times Wildebeests do begin calving in December itself. Being a matter of nature, the timeline always shifts here and there a bit. So if you’re arriving in December and wish to find out if you’ll be able to catch calving, you may simply contact us and we will inform you about what the onground situation is like at that time.