East Africa is a year-round destination. The right time depends on what you most want to see and how you feel about crowds and rain.
The seasons at a glance
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| June to October | Long dry season | Easy wildlife viewing around water, cool mornings and busier parks. |
| November to December | Short rains | Brief showers, fresh green scenery and fewer visitors. |
| January to March | Warm and mostly dry | Wildebeest calving in the southern Serengeti and good beach weather. |
| April to May | Long rains | The quietest months. Some roads and camps may be affected. |
Following the Great Migration
The herds move all year in response to the rain, so no date is guaranteed. As a rough guide, calving happens around Ndutu early in the year, the herds head north through the Serengeti mid-year, and river crossings are usually seen in the northern Serengeti and Maasai Mara between about July and October.
Gorillas and mountains
Gorilla trekking in Uganda runs all year, but the forest trails are easier in the drier months. Kilimanjaro is usually climbed in the drier periods around January to March and June to October.