Dry season, calmer again
Tanzania in October
Wildlife concentrates around the remaining water, particularly in Tarangire and the southern parks. The first short rains may arrive late in the month.
- Very good
- For a safari
- Very good
- For Kilimanjaro
- Best
- For Zanzibar beaches
- Tarangire
- Main draw this month
Tanzania in October at a glance
Last of the dry season
The weather
Dry and warm, with the first hints of the short rains toward the end of the month in some years.
Where the herds are
Crossings can carry on into October in the north, and the herds begin to turn back south as the short rains approach.
The parks
A good month for Tarangire and the southern parks. Ruaha and Nyerere are at their best in the dry season, with boat and walking safaris at their finest.
Kilimanjaro
The second climbing window runs to October, so the mountain is still clear and dry.
Zanzibar and the coast
One of the best months for Zanzibar, with warm, dry beach days.
Crowds and rates
Still inside the busy season, though camps ease a little as the month goes on.
Planning a trip in October
Good for
Tarangire and the south, Zanzibar beach days, Late dry-season safari
Watch out for
The short rains can begin in late October, so keep a light waterproof jacket handy.
What to pack
Light layers, a hat, sunscreen and a thin waterproof jacket.
Our verdict on October
October is a quieter, still-dry month, excellent for the southern parks, Tarangire and a beach finish.
Safaris that suit October
Itineraries from our collection that list October among their best months, from the lowest starting price.
Baobabs, Hadzabe and the Crater
Elephants, a hunt with one of the world's last hunter-gatherer peoples, and a day on the crater floor.
4 days · From $1,350
Nyerere Fly-In Escape from Zanzibar
One night on the Rufiji River, by air, between two days of beach.
2 days · From $1,665
Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire in Seven Days
Baobab elephants, a pair of Serengeti days and a full morning-to-evening descent into the crater.
7 days · From $1,891
Compare with other months
Choose another month to see how it differs. The bars show how good each month is for a safari.
January
Calving on the southern plains
Mixed
February
Peak calving and big cats
Mixed
March
Lush landscapes, lower prices
Showery
April
The quietest month
Quiet and wet
May
Green, calm and affordable
Showery
June
Dry season begins
Very good
July
Classic big-game safari
Best
August
Mara River crossings
Best
September
Crossings with fewer crowds
Best
October
Last of the dry season
Very good
November
Short rains, fresh green
Showery
December
Herds return south
Mixed
Questions answered
What travellers ask us
October is a quieter, still-dry month, excellent for the southern parks, Tarangire and a beach finish.
Crossings can carry on into October in the north, and the herds begin to turn back south as the short rains approach.
The second climbing window runs to October, so the mountain is still clear and dry.
Light layers, a hat, sunscreen and a thin waterproof jacket.
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- The ways to travel, from classic game drives to walking, beach and combination trips
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