Tanzania Safaris in March: Where to Go

Tanzania Safaris in March: Where to Go

Few people are okay with sharing a sighting with crowds of safari vehicles, which are very common in the high season, from June to October. That said, it’s possible to avoid the crowd and still enjoy the trip. On top of the long dry season, Tanzania experiences the best weather conditions from January through March. So, don’t worry if you missed the high season or the January-February period. In this article, we explain everything about Tanzania safaris in March.

How is the weather in March?

In Tanzania, March marks the transition between the short dry season (January-February) and the long rains that usually start at the end of the month. The first two weeks remain warm, sunny, and relatively dry—just like January and February. But the later weeks (may) start to see heavier afternoon or evening showers, especially in northern and western regions.

Temperatures are generally hot and humid across the country, around 25-30 °C (77°F–91°F) during the day. Nights and mornings are often cooler than that, so pack ready for hot midday hotness and morning chills. And with the onset of rains, March turns green, with landscapes like valleys, hills, and mountains being green, hence photogenic. After an evening shower, dust is uncommon during morning or afternoon game drives, making your safari exceptional.

Best of all, few people visit Tanzania during this month. Which means you won’t scramble for a lion sighting with a pack of more than 20 safari vehicles. On top of secluded game drives, lodges offer great off-season and private safari experiences, but only if you don’t mind getting rained on.

Where to go in March

Options are countless. With plenty of destinations, from Zanzibar to wildlife-rich places, Tanzania offers the best experience in March. Here are our top places worth visiting in Tanzania in March.

Serengeti National Park

There’s truth in the statement “Serengeti never disappoints.” This wildlife expanse spans about 14,763 square kilometers, with the largest portion being of large, expansive plains. It harbors a variety of plains game, such as buffalo, lions, wildebeest, gazelles, and more. In March, the wildebeest migration, which it’s renowned for, is in full swing. Over 500,000 calves are born in the southern plains of the Serengeti and Ndutu region.

If you’re interested in watching thousands of calves being born in a day, don’t plan to miss this time. Nearly 5,000 newborns take their first step every day in March. Predators, like lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, also linger nearby, making the scene more spectacular. But be aware of occasional showers and prepare for them. There’s no shortage of places to stay. Yes, there are only two permanent camps in the south: Ndutu Lodge and Sanctuary Kusini, but mobile camps migrate southwards with the herds of wildebeest and zebras. Most of them are luxurious, like &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas, Asilia Olakira Camp, and Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp, but there are affordable options, including Ubuntu Camp and Chaka Camp.

Putting the migration aside, Serengeti hosts the Big Five. You can search for these megabeasts in the central Serengeti, especially in the Seronera Valley. Leopards prefer napping in acacia or Kigelia (sausage) trees along the Seronera River. Keep an eye out for them or do a morning drive to catch them. And for rhino sightings, scan through the Moru Kopjes. Elephants, buffalo, and lions are common during daily game drives.

Ngorongoro Crater

Rain or shine, Ngorongoro Crater is always worth a visit. The crater is a self-sufficient system: it has everything an animal would need—pasture, water, and habitats. As March sets in, the floor turns green, and the misty highlands become a scenic backdrop sought after by avid photographers.

The crater is home to the highest concentration of animals. More importantly, it’s a promising location to spot the Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and black rhino. Rhinos are easily spotted on the floor, hiding in fever trees. And this makes seeing them much easier than you think (always on a full game drive).

Ngorongoro Crater is a good add-on to the Serengeti safari. That is, you watch the calving season uncover Serengeti’s great secrets, then enjoy a Big Five safari in the crater. This makes a great safari, rewarding and exceptional. You have options to stay on the crater rim, though it may be expensive, though there are discounts in March. If you want more affordable places, try lodges in the highlands.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha sees a few visitors even in the high season. In March, the number of visitors often shrinks to just hundreds. That means you will be surrounded by about 20,000 square kilometers of pristine wilderness and undisturbed wildlife. This park is best known for large elephant herds and majestic baobabs towering in the woodlands.

Lions in large prides command the savannahs, while hippos and crocodiles thrive in the Great Ruaha River. Ruaha fits perfectly when combined with Nyerere (previously Selous Game Reserve), which is known for the largest concentration of wild dogs. On top of that, you can see other animals, including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and zebras.

Regarding places to stay, Ruaha and Nyerere have small, intimate camps. Unfortunately, some of them close in March to avoid heavy downpours in the coming months (April and May). Others are available throughout the year, including Jongomero Camp, Kigelia Ruaha, and Jabali Ridge, which closes in mid-March. For the case of Nyerere, Beho Beho and Sand Rivers are better.

March is a great month for safaris in Tanzania. Showers may be present, but they aren’t enough to ruin the experience. If you are ready to explore Tanzania in March or any other month, you can trust Focus East Africa Tours. Contact our team to get everything done.