Tanzania has two distinct seasons – the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season kicks off in June and runs to October. It’s dry, warm, and has clear skies. For such a reason, many visitors plan their vacations for this season. Because it’s perfect for the Great Migration river crossings, dry trails, and fewer mosquitoes, this season gets so many crowds, and as a result, prices skyrocket.

On the flipside, the rainy season or wet season starts in November and ends in May. This period sees fewer visitors, and as a result, prices drop. It’s also wet, cold, and usually cloudy. While it’s underrated, we can tell (from experience) that the rainy season is also a great time to visit the Serengeti. Want to know how? Stick with the article till the end.

Why travel in the rainy season?

Because it’s cheaper

The rainy season comes with discounted rates to attract clients. Visiting the Serengeti during this time gives you a chance to grab an exclusive deal at better prices. However, the festive season (late December) is the peak. Many visitors rush to celebrate Christmas in Serengeti, making it competitive and expensive.

It has fewer crowds

Sometimes in the Serengeti, you can witness a wildlife sighting with a pack of 20 safari jeeps. The rainy season is usually the best time to avoid the crowds and enjoy it all on your own.

Opportunity for private drives

Private drives are adventures tailored to your interests. Often led by expert guides, these exclusive adventures offer the unique opportunity to watch wildlife on your own. During the dry season, lodges and tour operators include private game drives as exclusive offers to visitors.

What to see in Serengeti during the rainy season?

The wildebeest migration

The wildebeest migration is in the south of the Serengeti by this time. The fertile plains of Ndutu and Serengeti South produce nutritious grass that favors the growth of baby wildebeest. There’s a good reason for that. Geologists are right that the Ngorongoro Mountains erupted millions of years ago. Due to wind action, the ashes spread across Ndutu and the southern plains.

As rain starts falling in November to December, the plains turn into greener, attractive grazing grounds. Since the wildebeest can sniff out rain miles away, they change their course and head southwards, ready to feast and calve. From December to March, they give birth to about half a million calves – that’s about 5,000 calves per day.

Expect to see many young, beautiful calves following their mothers. Also, there’s a better chance of seeing a hyena spying the herd for easy pickings. Predators like lions, leopards, and cheetahs never stay out of sight as they congregate to take advantage of young, wobbly calves. There’s more action during this time.

Birds

December welcomes many birds for breeding. You can see even rare and non-migratory species setting up their nests. Since many birds are in their nesting period, you stand a chance to spot so many of them as they patrol near their nests.

Some notable birds Grey-breasted spurfowl, Fischer’s lovebird, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet-shrike, secretary bird, and lilac-breasted roller. Any time you drive, you can see an ostrich, the largest flightless bird, strolling the long grass.

The Big Five.

The rainy season is the perfect time to watch these big animals. You’ve better chance to tick them off and will do that without the crowd. Search for lions in open grasslands and rock outcrops of Central or Southern Serengeti. Leopards prefer acacia or sausage tree, where they would take a nap during the afternoon. Want to spot one? Keep your eye out for these trees, or go for early morning or late evening drives.

Drive through acacia woodlands to search for elephants. These grey giants are a common sighting in the Serengeti, usually spotted in big, matriarch-led herds. The Cape buffalo, or “Black Death,” is a fan of long grasses and woodlands. This wild cow looks so gentle, but it never forgives when it charges.

The black rhinos might not be so easy to spot. These ancient, critically endangered mammals are targeted by poachers looking for their unique horns, which are worth millions of dollars. In Serengeti, they live in the Moru Kopjes under constant surveillance from rangers. A drive through this region can reward you with the views of these iconic mammals.

Other animals

There are so many animals you can encounter while you’re on a safari jeep or a walking safari. The next turn you make, the dik-dik runs away or the wild cat. See graceful giraffes walk with a confident stride to browse on sausage tree leaves. You can also see hyenas, cheetahs (in the Seronera Valley), wild dogs, warthogs, and antelopes like impalas, elands, topis, oribis, and hartebeests.

What to pack for a rainy season Serengeti safari?

• Quick-drying clothes, avoid jeans
• Rainy coat or poncho
• Hiking boots
• Insect repellent
• Neutral-colored cotton clothes like long sleeves and long pants
• Sunhat, sunscreen
• Camera, binoculars, and power banks

Planning a safari to the Serengeti can be tricky. But if you’ve assistants right there, it can’t be complicated. We’ll make it easier within a minute. If you want to start your plan right now, give us a call.