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Pole Pole
Pole Pole
Pole Pole
Pole Pole

About Pole Pole

Pole Pole is a lovely relaxed beach lodge, built in 1998, and set among coconut palms, on a hillside sloping ...

... up from the beach, overlooking the sheltered Chole Bay in the Mafia Island Marine Park. The phrase 'pole pole' means 'slowly' in Swahili, and certainly says a lot about the atmosphere here. With only seven thatched bungalows, Pole Pole is intimate, quiet and very welcoming, and offers a wonderful beach retreat.

Pole Pole is a small, quiet and personal beach lodge that manages an excellent balance between staying in keeping with its surroundings, while creating a feeling of comfort and a relaxed, barefoot style. Expert Africa first came across Pole Pole many years ago, and we've visited many times. It has always been a firm favourite with us and our guests, and on our most recent visits it continued to live up to expectations.

Our view

Pole Pole is a small, quiet and personal beach lodge that manages an excellent balance between staying in keeping with its surroundings, while creating a feeling of comfort and a relaxed, barefoot style. Expert Africa first came across Pole Pole many years ago, and we've visited many times. It has always been a firm favourite with us and our guests, and on our most recent visits it continued to live up to expectations.

Jessica Plumb

Jessica Plumb

Tanzania expert

Accommodation

7 rooms

Children

Best for 10+

Open

1 June to Easter

Activities

Boat trip

Boat trip

Scuba-diving

Scuba-diving

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Watersports

Watersports

Traveller reviews of Pole Pole

103 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


94%
103 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
75
Good
26
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Mr P & Ms WfromHerts

Arrived 26 Oct 2023, 4 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"Pleasant 'rustic' accommodation overlooking the marine reserve/mangrove and cove …" Read Mr P & Ms W’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Mr & Mrs HfromUK

Arrived 4 Jul 2023, 4 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"Pole Pole is Swahili for Slowly Slowly and is well named. …" Read Mr & Mrs H’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mike & JanettefromUK

Arrived 30 Aug 2022, 5 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"Lovely spot to stay. Whale shark trip was a great success. …" Read Mike & Janette’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr E.fromLondon

Arrived 17 Aug 2022, 5 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"I would go back to Pole Pole in a heartbeat! …" Read Mr E.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr J.fromStaunton

Arrived 23 Jul 2022, 3 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"Great location on the side of the bay. Food good...Plenty of daily activities …" Read Mr J.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Good

Ms C.fromSeattle

Arrived 8 Feb 2022, 6 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"Best place of the entire trip …" Read Ms C.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

M & C fromLondon

Arrived 20 Dec 2019, 4 nights

"Pole Pole review"

"Loved Pole Pole - well run, good links with the dive centre …" Read M & C ’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr & Mrs SfromE Sussex

Arrived 15 Dec 2019, 6 nights

"A place to Chill"

"Julie the manager certainly knows how to treat guests, between her and her …" Read Mr & Mrs S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

T & SfromNorth Carolina

Arrived 20 Sep 2019, 4 nights

"Pole Pole - A Perfect End to Safari"

"What a great way to wrap up after 15 days on safari - Pole Pole was a blessing. …" Read T & S’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

Mr and Mrs GfromBucks

Arrived 30 Aug 2019, 5 nights

"Blissful, living up to its name"

"One long stretch of relaxation, beautiful beach and bungalows, amazing tides. …" Read Mr and Mrs G’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Pole Pole reviews

Holidays visiting Pole Pole

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Lemon Grass Beach Holiday

6 days • 2 locations • 1 country
DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT TO DAR ES SALAAM AIRPORT

Enjoy undisturbed leisure at the Mafia Archipalego’s lesser-visited Chole and Mafia Islands. Two charming, elegant lodges provide opportunity for total relaxation as well as a range of activities.

Visiting Mafia Island

US$2,310 - US$2,850 per person

Read more about the Lemon Grass Beach Holiday

Pole Pole: Our full report

Pole Pole is a lovely relaxed beach lodge, built in 1998, and set among coconut palms, on a hillside sloping ...

... up from the beach, overlooking the sheltered Chole Bay in the Mafia Island Marine Park. The phrase 'pole pole' means 'slowly' in Swahili, and certainly says a lot about the atmosphere here. With only seven thatched bungalows, Pole Pole is intimate, quiet and very welcoming, and offers a wonderful beach retreat.

The beach at Pole Pole is a quiet stretch of white sand, cut off at either end by outcrops of mangroves. A path through this roughly follows the high-tide line, and allows you to explore further along the shore. At high tide, the mangroves make the narrow strip of beach feel like a secluded little cove. Then, when the tide goes out, you can potter much further from the shore, although since the tide can go out a long way, swimming times are limited. Wander a little way through the mangroves, however, and around the corner from Pole Pole you'll find a stretch of beach where you can swim throughout the day. Alternatively you can take a dhow boat out to a sandbar and swim from there. When the tide is high, the sea can come right up to the wall, but a sandy terrace is still available to wiggle your toes in.

The nine cottage rooms or 'Bahari Bungalows' at Pole Pole all sit on a gentle slope just above the beach, so all have a sea view. They have been constructed from local timber and palm fronds and were designed to reflect a safari mood, which they do very successfully. Cottages Suites #1 to #5 are ideal for couples and solo travellers, but are a little close together. The double-room Asali cottages #6 and #7 are more spaced apart and larger in size; sleeping four guests, making them ideal for families or two groups of friends. There are two newer luxury bungalows - #8 Alasiri (sleeps four) and #9 Alfajiri (sleeps two). These are spacious suites located right on the beachfront, with large verandahs and each have a private plunge pool.

Each cottage has a wooden veranda, all of which have partial ocean views. There is a comfortable daybed and a couple of chairs to relax in; each evening staff will come and offer you a drink on your veranda whilst watching the sunset. Inside, the cottages have a colour scheme of creams and blues, with dark wood floors and furniture, and quirky touches such as coconut husk detailing on the cushions. The result is a cosy, relaxing atmosphere where you can rest and unwind after a busy safari. The double or twin beds are partitioned off by a retractable mosquito net and the rooms are furnished with a writing desk as well as a shelving unit with plenty of storage space. All cottages are en-suite, with twin basins, a shower and complimentary toiletries provided. There is air conditioning in all rooms.

Pole Pole's main areas are all built in very similar style – with high thatched ceilings, dark wooden floors and natural fabrics. The open-plan lounge and dining area is furnished with simple yet stylish wicker furniture, cream cushions and scatter cushions with intricate African patterns. In the dining area, take a look at the beautiful Zanzibari cabinet, which features an attractive display of Pole Pole's handmade soaps. At one end, a rustic bar is made entirely from wood and rope – very much in keeping with Pole Pole's general style. The clock behind the bar stopped working a long time ago – which is quite apt as time really isn't important here. Although it does tells the correct time twice a day…

Close to the main dining area, Pole Pole also has a smaller dining area called the duara - Swahili for circle. It is used for special or more intimate dinners. During the day, sofas and a hammock here offer the chance to relax out of the sun or play board games; there is also a small library.

Meals are served either al fresco, overlooking the sea, or – if it's cool or windy – in a comfortable dining room with individual tables in a surprisingly formal setting. At one end, a relaxed bar is an inviting place to meet up with other guests.

At the back of the property there is a curved kidney bean shaped swimming pool. The location has been carefully thought out as the pool is set back from the beach so that it is sheltered from the wind and it's in an area that has the least tree cover to maximize time in the sun. For those who want to stay cool there are canvas sheets to provide welcome shade and a covered seating area with padded sofas. There is also a pool bar with friendly staff on hand to offer you drinks.

Next to the pool you will find Pole Pole's Alasiri Spa – an open-sided thatched gazebo, where three excellent local therapists offer treatments ranging from a manicure to a full body massage. Prices vary but are generally moderate: expect to pay about US$15–60 per treatment, depending on what you opt for.

There is a good variety of activities on offer at Pole Pole. Guided mangrove walks, snorkelling trips and dhow trips within Chole Bay are offered daily, and one of these activities is included free of charge each day during your stay here. The timings and precise destinations/itinerary of dhow trips depend on the tides. Typically you sail for about an hour to a deserted sandbar, with a 360º view of the ocean. Here the crew set up simple shade cloths and prepare a beach barbecue with a good supply of drinks. Snorkelling trips often form part of a dhow trip – either from the sandbar beach, or as a stop on the way out or back.

For activities outside of Chole Bay, such as island trips, there is usually a small additional charge. Stay for a while and you'll find plenty of different destinations to explore – from old historical ruins to the amazing colony of fruit bats on nearby Chole Island. You can also take a guided walk around Utende village itself, giving you the chance to meet the people of this relatively remote area.

Barely five minutes' walk down the beach is a small PADI diving centre, Mafia Island Diving. Here you will find a very competent team with well-maintained equipment. They run PADI courses and diving excursions in and around Chole Bay, which boasts many superb dive sites with a great variety of fish life. The dive manager usually visits Pole Pole in the evenings, to make arrangements for diving the next day. When the tide allows, they pick up and drop off at Pole Pole's beach.

Pole Pole is a five-minute walk from its neighbour on Mafia Island, Kinasi Lodge, and 15 minutes by boat from Chole Mjini, on Chole Island.

Another popular option is the so called 'Bahari Yako' ('Your Ocean', in Swahili). This is a private, crewed sailing dhow at your command for a day – for a moderate extra cost, a bit like opting to pay for a private vehicle at a safari camp. You can use it to go where you like, and do what you want. Make the choices as you sail, which can include diving, sailing, snorkelling, stopping on your own sand-bank, or simply cruising around to explore.

Geographics

Location
Mafia Island, Tanzania
Ideal length of stay
Three nights or more - although a week here would be fine for many people.
Directions
From the airport at Kilindoni, it's roughly a 30-minute drive across the island to Pole Pole. You will stop at the gate for Mafia Marine Park on route to pay the park fees; these must be paid locally and on card (cash not accepted). In 2023 these were $23.60 per person per day, but may be subject to change. Please ask us for more information on latest prices.
Accessible by
Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis
Full Board
Food quality
On our last few visits, the food at Pole Pole was very tasty and there was always more than enough. The menu is often Italian influenced – though you will also find the odd Swahili dish, and of course plenty of fresh seafood.

Breakfast is usually a very casual affair and guests are free to arrive at leisure during the morning. You can expect a selection of fruit, breads and yoghurt, followed by an à la carte menu with a range of dishes including crepes and a cooked breakfast.

Lunch is also very casual and can be timed around guests' varying activities. Although there are usually three courses, it is still a light lunch, involving lots of salads and cold meats. At a recent lunch we had a starter of avocado, mango and lentil salad, then grilled tuna steak with a creamy coleslaw and green salad; dessert was a homemade coffee ice-cream.

Dinner is a substantial four-course meal. Often you will be served salads, paté, pasta and other western-style dishes, though on occasion Pole Pole will prepare a Swahili meal or a barbecue night. When we last stayed we were served sesame prawns and a zesty lime dip, followed by octopus curry, green pea puree and cardamom rice. We rounded up our meal with pineapple upside down cake.

Meals at Pole Pole are generally a fixed set-menu, often making use of fresh seafood. If guests would like something other than what is on the menu for dinner - then we encourage them to discuss this with the manager, as they are very happy to make alternative arrangements and will happily suggest other options!
Dining style
Individual Tables
Dining locations
Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service
Pole Pole are happy to help with some room service, though this needs to be organised in advance.
Drinks included
Tea, coffee, and filtered drinking water are included, but other drinks cost extra. Expect to pay around $20-$35 for a bottle of wine and $4 for a local beer.

Special interests

Honeymoons
Pole Pole is a very relaxed lodge, which is perfect for those wanting a romantic time in a peaceful location for their Tanzania honeymoon. Furthermore, the team is very good at making guests feel special and pampered – setting up private dinners and other special touches.
See ideas for Honeymoons in Tanzania
Beach holidays
For a beach holiday, it is more limited than Zanzibar. However, Pole Pole has one of the island’s better beaches. Casting off, some of Mafia’s best beaches are found on remote sandbars in the bay: stunning small beaches with a 360° view of the ocean reached on a dhow trip.
See ideas for Beach holidays in Tanzania
Diving & snorkelling
Pole Pole offers fantastic diving in the Mafia Island Marine Park. This is some of the best diving on the East African coast. When we were last there, diving cost $40 for a single dive and $300 for a 10-dive package (plus $20 a day equipment-hire fee).
See ideas for Diving & snorkelling in Tanzania
Wellbeing
Pole Pole has good, but very low-key massages and treatments, offered in a tiny, laid-back 'spa' on the beach. This isn't the place for high-end therapies, but for a relaxing massage in a great location, it's a really good bet!
See ideas for Wellbeing in Tanzania

Children

Attitude towards children
Pole Pole welcomes children aged 10 and over, however they prefer adults and older teenagers.
Property’s age restrictions
Pole Pole only accepts children 10 years old or older.
Special activities & services
There are no special child activities at Pole Pole.
Equipment
There is no special equipment at Pole Pole for children.
Generally recommended for children
This is a fairly adult-oriented lodge and is not suitable for a young family.
Notes
The pool is deep, and children will require supervision at all times.

Communications

Power supply notes
There is a backup generator. There are European style 2-pin and UK-style 3-pin power sockets in the rooms. There are also British 3-pin power sockets in the bar. Rooms #6 and #7 have only UK-style sockets.
Communications
Wifi is available in guest rooms.
TV & radio
No TV on site, but there's TV in the local village.
Water supply
Borehole
Water supply notes
Unlimited bottled water is provided.

Sustainability

Pole Pole sustainability

Pole Pole: working together to fight plastic

Overlooking Chole Bay, the core of Mafia Island Marine Park in Tanzania, seven luxury bungalows make up Pole Pole Lodge. The lodge’s sustainable aspects are visible from the outside, with the suites being constructed with low-impact, locally-sourced materials - coconut wood and palm trees are used with designs from local experts and built using traditional methods.

Balancing luxury with a respect for local culture and environment, the lodge’s sustainable efforts can be seen in its active engagement in fighting against the use of plastic in their daily operations. Pole Pole has teamed up with Shanga, a Tanzanian social enterprise which employs more than 70 people with a range of disabilities, who make creative products using recycled materials wherever possible.

Pole Pole is committed to reducing single use plastics, and each year finds new and unique ways in which to achieve this. The body lotion, shampoo and shower gel (all supplied in glass bottles), as well as the vinegar and oil cruets used in the restaurant, are handcrafted by the team at Shanga. Pole Pole recycles spirit bottles to use as quirky water jugs for the rooms and restaurant, with cocktails and juices being served with compostable paper straws, to ensure Pole Pole is not adding to the ocean’s plight against plastic.

See more great sustainability projects in Tanzania

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended
Yes
Medical care
There is first aid available at Pole Pole, and there is a doctor in Kilondoni – the main town on Mafia. For more serious cases Pole Pole recommends flying to Dar es Salaam.
Dangerous animals
Low Risk
Security measures
There is a gate at the front of Pole Pole and askaris (guards) on duty 24 hours a day around the grounds.
Fire safety
There are fire extinguishers in all of the rooms, and also in the restaurant, kitchen, and store areas. In addition all of the main areas in the lodge are open sided, and everything is single-storey.

Activities

  • Boat trip

    Boat trip

  • Scuba-diving

    Scuba-diving

  • Snorkelling

    Snorkelling

  • Watersports

    Watersports

Extras

Disabled access
Not Possible
Laundry facilities
Laundry is included at Pole Pole, up to a nominal limit of two pieces per guest per day. It's hand-washed.
Money
Pole Pole will happily exchange small amounts into Tanzania shillings for use in the local villages – but it is not a bureau de change. There is an ATM in Kilondoni if necessary.
Accepted payment on location
Guests must pay their extra charges (for drinks, spa.. etc.) via credit card. Pole Pole cannot accept Amex. Cash is no longer accepted for extra charges.

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Pole Pole's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Pole Pole.


Excursions from Pole Pole

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Pole Pole. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Snorkelling with Whale Sharks

Snorkelling with Whale Sharks

Half day

A whale shark snorkelling trip off Mafia Island, Tanzania, is an unforgettable experience, offering a chance to swim alongside the world’s largest fish in crystal-clear waters. Mafia Island is one of the best places in the world to encounter whale sharks, especially between October and March, when these gentle giants gather in the warm, plankton-rich waters near the island.

More about Snorkelling with Whale Sharks

Other lodges in Mafia Island

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Chole Mjini Lodge

Chole Mjini

Chole Mjini is one of Tanzania's most environmentally aware lodges. With tree-houses, superb diving and a fantastic location on the rural island of Chole, this is ideal if you want to get back to nature.


95% (30 reviews)
Butiama Beach

Butiama Beach

Situated just west of Kilondoni, the main town on Mafia, Butiama Beach is a simple beach lodge with friendly managers and a laid back vibe.


95% (11 reviews)
Kinasi Lodge

Kinasi Lodge

Kinasi is a small, personal beach lodge on Mafia Island that has the features of a larger hotel, including a large pool and spa.


82% (11 reviews)
Shamba Kilole

Shamba Kilole

Shamba Kilole is a charming Italian-owned eco-lodge on the coast of Mafia Island, with simple rooms and friendly owner-managers.


No reviews yet
Thanda Island

Thanda Island

Thanda Island is a high-end private island destination that caters to just one group of travellers at a time.


No reviews yet

When to go to Mafia Island

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Pole Pole in Mafia Island


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Tanzania in January

January usually marks the start of the short dry season, although the exact timings of this are a little unpredictable. You can expect clear blue skies and sunshine, if the short rains have stopped, and the temperatures will be building. The short dry season is a little less pronounced in Southern Tanzania, and so it can still be wet in these areas. It is an interesting time for avians as resident birds go into breeding plumage and migrant species can be present.

Once the New Year busy period has quietened down, January can offer great value and quieter parks, although the weather can be variable, and in the Selous and Ruaha the wildlife is more dispersed.

  • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
  • Occasional thunderstorms may occur.
  • A good time of year for birding as and many migrant species are around
  • The wildebeest migration is gathering in the southern Serengeti.
  • Busy in early January, quietening down through the month.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in January

Tanzania in February

February is during the short dry season and is one of the hottest months in Tanzania, with temperatures reaching around 33°Celsius. This can be a good time to visit, as some areas of the Northern Circuit are comparatively quieter than during the European summer months, and lodge rates are also a little lower.

The wildebeest will typically be on the southern plains of the Serengeti for their calving season, which tends to occur in a 2-3 week window in early-mid February – although this does vary year on year. This is also a particularly rewarding time for birdlife, as northern hemisphere migrants join the resident species.

  • Hot and dry weather.
  • Wildebeest migration calving on Serengeti’s southern plains.
  • Ngorongoro Crater and southern Serengeti busy for the migration.
  • Selous and Ruaha are typically quiet at this time.
  • The parks are likely to be lush and green, leading to pretty landscape

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in February

Tanzania in March

The heavier ‘long rains’ start in earnest in March although exactly when varies year on year. With no need to stay close to permanent water sources, migratory wildlife disperses, and so game viewing starts to become more challenging. This is most prominently seen in Tarangire National Park. The wildebeest migration may still be calving, or have moved on into the central regions of the Serengeti.

Many of the camps in the southern parks close mid March and mobile tented camps in the Serengeti will wind down towards the end of the month in order to move location or carry out refurbishments, ready for the new tourist season.

  • Hot with building humidity, before the rains begin at some point.
  • Wildlife viewing is variable depending on the start of the rains.
  • Parks are quiet and rates are low.
  • Not great for southern or western Tanzania.
  • March can be a good time for birding, with many migrant species.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in March

Tanzania in April

April is in the middle of the long rainy season and is the wettest month, with on average 250mm of rain. Temperatures are fairly high and humid in comparison to the rest of the year. Expect the bush to be lush and flowering, and alive with insects, birds and smaller animals. It is however also dense, allowing wildlife to hide, which in turn makes game viewing harder. This is a very quiet time in terms of visitor numbers.

Many of the tented camps are closed in April, however the larger lodges remain open. The rates are significantly cheaper, and so if you are willing to work harder to spot the bigger game, some accommodation bargains can be had.

  • Heavy rain expected, with impressive thunderstorms and lightning.
  • Many camps closed and roads impassable due to ground conditions.
  • Rates are at their lowest all year round, with very few other tourists
  • Places that are open are green and vibrant, wildlife more dispersed.

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in April

Tanzania in May

As Tanzania is close to the equator there is no dramatic difference in climate throughout the year, but temperatures do start to drop a little in May. The rains are likely to still be present, although potentially clearing towards the end of the month. Visitor numbers and lodge rates are still low. The wildebeest migration is making its way through the western regions of the Serengeti, crossing the Grumeti River.

Virtually all camps in southern Tanzania remain closed, and many of the roads and tracks in the Selous become impassable.

  • Heavy rains and storms are likely, this can create some dramatic skies
  • Blissfully quiet in northern Tanzania, and a good time to avoid crowds
  • The parks are likely to look lush and green, with long grass.
  • Wildlife is likely to be more dispersed, with fewer sightings.
  • The low prices make safaris much more affordable at this time.

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in May

Tanzania in June

The rains come to an end at some point during the month and migratory wildlife begins to be drawn back to perennial water sources as the land starts to dry up. It’s likely that the parks will still be quite green and the grass high though, so walking and fly-camping may be unlikely. This marks the start of the season with camps reopening, but prices are still more affordable than the subsequent months.

The migration may still be in the Western Corridor, or on the move northwards towards the Mara River. Western Tanzania presents more challenging conditions for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale National Park, as the chimps are higher in the mountains.

  • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
  • A transitory time for the migration – moving from west to north.
  • The parks may still be quite green, and grasses high.
  • Wildlife may be dispersed still.
  • Relatively low visitor numbers and good value, shoulder season prices.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in June

Tanzania in July

July is considered to be the start of the peak season, with no rainfall expected and pleasant daytime temperatures. As the parks dry, the wildlife congregates in fewer areas, grass is eaten and trampled by the migration, and game viewing gets better and better. The wildebeest are typically arriving in the northern Serengeti, ready to begin their period of crossings of the Mara River.

In the Selous and Ruaha wildlife sightings can be fantastic, with animals gathering around the lakes and rivers. Great conditions and school holidays mean the parks are at their busiest, with Ngorongoro and the Serengeti particularly crowded.

  • Dry and warm daytimes, chilly and windy in the mornings and evenings.
  • Great wildlife viewing, as water sources diminish.
  • The most popular time of year with very high visitor numbers.
  • Prices are at their highest due to the great conditions on the ground.
  • To avoid the crowds consider Tanzania’s southern parks.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in July

Tanzania in August

August is the middle of the long dry season, with clear skies and sunny weather. You can expect some cooler weather at night and first thing in the morning. Remember to pack layered clothing, so you can wrap up warm on your early morning game drives, but remain comfortable as it heats up throughout the day.

August is a very popular time to visit, so accommodation prices are at their highest and advanced booking is necessary. It can get noticeably busier in some of the northern parks – in particular the Ngorongoro Crater and northern Serengeti, as visitors flock to the area in hope of witnessing an exciting migration river crossing.

  • Dry and warm daytimes, chilly in the early mornings and evenings.
  • General wildlife viewing should be excellent.
  • An exciting time of year for the wildebeest migration.
  • Certain areas will be very busy and camps fill up fast.
  • Great wildlife sightings in the Selous and Ruaha, and fewer people.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in August

Tanzania in September

September can be an excellent time of year to visit Tanzania. As the parks continue to dry up the wildlife becomes increasingly reliant on the remaining water sources, leading to high densities of animals. Whilst early September can be busy, with fewer families traveling at this time the parks typically become quieter as the month goes on.

You are still likely to see the wildebeest migration in the northern Serengeti, with river crossings occurring on a regular basis. Tanzania’s southern parks are also fantastic at this time of year, generally receiving far fewer visitors than the north, and wildlife sightings can be great. Prices remain high and the weather generally remains good.

  • Wildlife viewing in September can be fantastic.
  • Whilst still fairly busy, often the parks are typically a little quiet
  • The parks will start to become very dry, with little new vegetation
  • Cooler mornings and evenings, warming up during the day.
  • Prices remain high.

Our view

Fantastic: the very best time to visit

Weather in September

Tanzania in October

At the tail end of the dry season, the wildlife should be the easiest to spot, although photographers should be aware that it can be a bit dusty at this time of year, as there has been no rain for several months. Great general wildlife viewing throughout as animals are attracted to remaining sources of water. Elephant numbers are particularly high at this time in Tarangire, and Mahale and Katavi are especially rewarding with frequent wildlife sightings close to camp.

There is a chance of rainfall towards the end of the month, if the short rains commence. While prices remain high, visitors numbers are significantly lower than in July-August.

  • Mostly dry and temperatures comfortably warm, with the chance of storm
  • Great game viewing although the landscape can be a bit barren.
  • Much lower visitor numbers than the earlier months.

Our view

A very good time to visit

Weather in October

Tanzania in November

In November you can expect the start of the short rains, although the start date varies every year. The rains are highly localised, and are much lighter and more unpredictable than the long rains that occur earlier in the year. These should not really interfere with your safari – as the game viewing at this time is still good - but you should pack a waterproof jacket and be prepared for some short rain showers!

The majority of tented camps remain open, but some of the mobile camps in Northern Tanzania will close for the latter half on the month. Given the seasonality, camps are charging shoulder season rates so there are often some bargains to be had. Early November can offer great value for money and the weather conditions are likely to be comparable to late October.

  • Variable weather: clear & dry or cloudy with some rain.
  • Parks are comparatively quiet and prices at the lower end.
  • Some camps will close towards the end of the month for maintenance.
  • Good wildlife sightings, but animals will disperse when rain starts
  • The wildebeest migration is on the move and the location unpredictable

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in November

Tanzania in December

December is also during the short rainy period, but this does not stop Tanzania being a popular destination to spend the festive period. Be aware that many of the lodges book up early, and charge peak rates over this time. Advanced booking is essential over this period, especially if travelling in larger family groups.

Travelling in December outside of the festive period allows travellers to make use of excellent shoulder season rates. Temperatures are pleasant with the averages of 27Celsius, although there is the chance of intermittent thunderstorms.

  • Variable weather:clear & dry or cloudy with some rain and thunderstorm
  • Good general game viewing in parks with low seasonality - Serengeti.
  • Very quiet early in the month, becoming exceptionally busy.
  • Prices reflect this – great value rising to the highest they are.
  • The wildlife in southern Tanzania is more dispersed.

Our view

A good time to visit, with pros & cons

Weather in December

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