Tanzania is located close to equator in South Hemisphere, hence its’ climate have two main features. First: minor changes of temperature through a year and second: seasons here are kind of reversed at least from prospective of moderate climate zone of North Hemisphere.

In addition coastal areas have humidity of air while central plateau is rather dry with less precipitation. Similar to other countries of that part of Africa Tanzania has two rainy seasons. First lasts from March to June. Second occurs at October and November and differs by moderate showers. Summer is slightly cooler than winter.

Seasons

Contents:

• March-May
• June-August
• September-November
• December-February

March-May in Tanzania

Southern part of the country is flooded by rains at first half of the season while in rest of territories with Zanzibar Archipelago and Mafia Island there is perfectly fine weather through whole March. However at the middle of April things become quite opposite. Southern portion of Kenya is having dry weather while “long showers” come to the rest of the country.

This is very muggy time due to high humidity and air temperatures. Overall annual range of temperature lies between 28 and 31 °C (82-88 °F) with occasional maximum and minimum extremums. Visitors should cautious while travelling across Tanzania at spring due to risk of intestinal infection and activity of malarial mosquitos.

Climate from March to May

March Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 202 mm (8.0")

April Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 110 mm (4.3")

May Max average t°: +28 °C (83 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

(Dodoma)

Holidays

Easter celebrations at variable dates of March-April.

7 April – The Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day.

26 April – Union Day.

1 May – Labour Day.

June-August in Tanzania

Summer in Tanzania is actual winter in terms of climatic conditions with bit lower average temperatures. In capital located in east coast of the island maximum daytime temperature reaches 29 °C (84 °F). In northern mountains and central regions it is quite cooler with around 22 to 25 °C (72-77 °F) at daytime.

Summer is the perfect time to visit this part of Africa. Precipitation is few and temperature of the water is optimal for swimming. It is from 25 to 27 °C (77-81 °F) depending on location. Swimsuit season is at the peak thus all kinds of seaside activities are completely available.

Climate from June to August

June Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 2 mm (0.08")

July Max average t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.5 mm (0.02")

August Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.7 mm (0.03")

(Dodoma)

Holidays

7 July – Saba Saba Day.

8 August – Nane Nane Day.

In addition at several next years (2018 and on) there will be Eid ul-Fitr, Islamic holiday of end of Ramadan, at variable dates of summer.

September-November in Tanzania

At autumn daytime temperature rises by couple of degrees in whole territory of the country. By the very middle of October precipitation amount is insignificant. Nights are still brining revival coolness yet they are bit warmer than at summer. At second half of the month rains are gaining frequency everywhere except southern regions.

This is the season of short rains so it never rains longer than hour or two. By the end of November it finishes while in southern part of Tanzania rains are only starting which will last to April.

Climate from September to November

September Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 0.4 mm (0.015")

October Max average t°: +31 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 4.4 mm (0.2")

November Max average t°: +32 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

(Dodoma)

Holidays

14 October – Nyerere Day.

Variable date of October – Eid-al-Fitr.

December-February in Tanzania

Three winter months are the hottest time in Tanzania when daytime temperature rises to 35 °C (95 °F). Amount of precipitation differs depending on location and altitude. I.e. in southern regions winter is another rainy season which lasts to April. High humidity complicates breathing and even cool oceanic breezes bring no relief. Occasionally rains damp roads thus significant regions become unavailable.

In western and northern portions of the country winter is opposite. Weather is great and provides every kind of promotion for tourists’ activities. Concerning the capital January and February are driest months of a year. However seaside activities are impossible due to gusty wind, muddy water and plankton abundance.

Climate from December to February

December Max average t°: +31 °C (87 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (65 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 15 days Precipitation: 185 mm (7.3")

January Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 229 mm (9.0")

February Max average t°: +29 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 125 mm (4.9")

(Dodoma)

Holidays

9 December – Independence Day.

25 December – Christmas Day.

26 December – Boxing Day.

1 January – New Year's Day.

12 January – Zanzibar Revolution Day.