Wildebeest migration by Simon Bellingham
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
African Elephant in Ngorongoro by Simon Bellingham
Tree-climbing Lions by Simon Bellingham
Kenya & Tanzania Luxury Safaris
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KENYA & TANZANIA SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Follow the Wildebeest migration where you can encounter tens of thousands of animals
Marvel at the seemingly endless plains of the Serengeti and Maasai Mara
Enter the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater brimming with wildlife
Trek for man’s closest living relative – the Chimpanzee
Engage locally with the Maasai people
Spend time relaxing on the exotic islands of Zanzibar or pop across the border to Mozambique
OUR FEATURED KENYA & TANZANIA DESTINATIONS
The crater, also known as “Africa’s Eden” is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Not only is it scenically breathtaking, but the crater is home to one of the world’s densest populations of large mammals and the highest concentration of large predators on the planet!
Not only is this a great place in which to find game, the wide green-gold savannas, dotted with thorn trees, make it ideal for photography. The Serengeti offers long, undisturbed views and utterly dramatic panoramas. The landscape is simply stunning. The Serengeti, along with the Maasai Mara is host to the great Wildebeest migration.
Mahale lies on the idyllic eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika. The highlight of exploring the lush forests of Mahale National Park is the opportunity to spend quality time with Chimpanzee. The park offers a blissful blend of adventure in the forests and relaxation on tranquil beaches.
The Mara is Kenya’s most well-known reserve. Boasting an astonishing selection of wildlife, here you can experience the ultimate safari. Famously, the Mara is the northerly end of the Great Wildebeest Migration that sweeps in from the Serengeti when the Tanzanian grass starts to fail.
This scented land of coconuts and spices is so idyllic that the Sultan of Oman decided to move the seat of his empire to these shores! Today, the Zanzibar Archipelago is still bathed in the heady scents of cloves and cinnamon, and traditional dhows drift across the horizon. There is some excellent diving on the island of Mnemba.
Mammals & Birds Species Checklist
WHEN TO VISIT KENYA & TANZANIA
The great Wildebeest migration is governed by nature and there is no precise timing. July to August is the time frame that the herds generally reach the Mara River, resulting in the famed Mara River crossings where crocodiles feast. During the long rains in April and May many properties close due to bad road conditions.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – We love this time of the year in Tanzania and Kenya. Between the short rains in November and the long rains in April/May, it is warm with beautiful days. This was traditionally the high season before the ‘migration fixation’ and now offers great value and wonderful weather. The southern Serengeti can be wetter than the Mara and the Wildebeest are in the south to give birth to their young.
JANUARY: Clear, hot days and warm nights make this a wonderful time for safaris. Lake Manyara has thousands of flamingos.
FEBRUARY: The hottest time of the year and the dry season is now reaching a climax, grass is grazed down and wildlife gathers close to water points, this is a good time for a safari. There is a possibility of rain showers, which are a welcome relief.
MARCH: Hot, increasingly humid weather with some rain showers. Still a good time to travel.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
TARANGIRE: Average Day: 29ºC and 84ºF | Average Night: 17ºC and 63ºF
CRATER / KARATU: Average Day: 22ºC and 72ºF | Average Night: 11ºC and 52ºF
SERENGETI: Average Day: 28ºC and 82ºF | Average Night: 16ºC and 61ºF
NAIROBI: Average Day: 27ºC and 81ºF | Average Night: 13ºC and 55ºF
MAASAI MARA: Average Day: 28ºC and 82ºF | Average Night: 12ºC and 54ºF
GREEN SEASON AND GREAT VALUE – This “secret season” presents a delightful time for travel – if you are not afraid of a few rain showers. You can experience refreshing clear mornings, dramatic storm clouds, afternoon thunder showers, and the soothing sound of rain on your tent’s canvas roof during the night. While some camps close in April and May due to challenging road conditions, the ones that remain open provide exceptional value and attractive offers. We suggest opting for flights between destinations instead of driving. The photographic opportunities are exceptional, capturing the beauty of dark, slate-coloured skies.
APRIL: The wettest month of the year with a high humidity level. You’ll often have facilities largely to yourself in this more affordable low – or “green” – season.
MAY: This is a very rainy month; afternoon downpours are to be expected. But the air is crisp and clean and it is good to see rivers and lakes full after the rains. Game viewing is trickier as the vegetation is thick and animals are dispersed due to the abundance of water.
JUNE: The long dry season begins and weather is usually sunny with clear skies. The surrounding landscape is fresh and green. The rains give way to cloudy, cooler weather, making for very comfortable conditions.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
TARANGIRE: Average Day: 26ºC and 80ºF | Average Night: 16ºC and 61ºF
CRATER / KARATU: Average Day: 18ºC and 64ºF | Average Night: 12ºC and 54ºF
SERENGETI: Average Day: 26ºC and 79ºF | Average Night: 16ºC and 61ºF
NAIROBI: Average Day: 25ºC and 77ºF | Average Night: 14ºC and 57ºF
MAASAI MARA: Average Day: 26ºC and 79ºF | Average Night: 13ºC and 55ºF
PEAK SAFARI SEASON – We are aware this time of the year fits in with many annual holidays, especially families with school children, and it combines perfectly with a wonderful time to be on safari. This makes for our peak safari season and to ensure your ideal trip and choice of lodges and camps, we do suggest making your bookings well in advance. We are able to book stays on private concessions if you want to avoid any crowds.
JULY: The landscape is beautiful, green and lush, days are warm and evenings cool. It is one of the best times in Tanzania.
AUGUST: Lovely warm days, cooler nights and normally very little rain. There are a higher number of tourists and places like the Crater do become crowded.
SEPTEMBER: Dry and lovely, similar to July and August. There are fewer visitors at the latter part of September.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
TARANGIRE: Average Day: 25ºC and 77ºF | Average Night: 14ºC and 57ºF
CRATER / KARATU: Average Day: 19ºC and 66ºF | Average Night: 9ºC and 48ºF
SERENGETI: Average Day: 27ºC and 81ºF | Average Night: 15ºC and 59ºF
NAIROBI: Average Day: 26ºC and 79ºF | Average Night: 12ºC and 54ºF
MAASAI MARA: Average Day: 27ºC and 81ºF | Average Night: 12ºC and 54ºF
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – One of our best seasons to visit Tanzania and it is the perfect time for travellers who are not bound by school holidays. It can get hot and dry before the November shorts rains.
OCTOBER: Warm and clear month, with rain possible at the end of the month. Lower altitude areas of Tanzania – Tarangire, Selous, Ruaha – can be very hot and dry at this time.
NOVEMBER: Start of the ‘short rainy season’. These bring welcome relief after a period of over 5 dry months. The short rains can be very light and in some places non-existent. This makes for a very hot and dry few months before the long rains in April.
DECEMBER: Temperatures gradually edge up during the second month of the ‘short rains’. It is a wonderful time of the year for safari.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
TARANGIRE: Average Day: 29ºC and 84ºF | Average Night: 17ºC and 63ºF
CRATER / KARATU: Average Day: 21ºC and 70ºF | Average Night: 12ºC and 54ºF
SERENGETI: Average Day: 28ºC and 82ºF | Average Night: 16ºC and 61ºF
NAIROBI: Average Day: 25ºC and 77ºF | Average Night: 13ºC and 55ºF
MAASAI MARA: Average Day: 26ºC and 79ºF | Average Night: 12ºC and 54ºF
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