Tanzania is a relatively safe country, especially compared with some neighbours. But keeping belongings out of sight and staying alert in large towns are wise precautions.

Winter (June-September) is the coolest period, when many hotels and lodges are very busy, particularly July and August. The main rainy season (March-May) isn’t necessarily a bad time to visit, though some outlying roads may become impassable.The Great Migration across the Serengeti is actually a fairly continuous rotation, but the most dramatic river crossings usually happen in June or July – though they’re not predictable.

Different areas in Tanzania have different attractions at different times of the year. There really is no right or wrong time to visit this well-loved country but as a rule of thumb, the dry season (from late June to October) is the most popular time for a Tanzania safari with all the trimmings.

During this dry season, animals congregate near water sources putting predators and prey in close proximity and making for some exciting game viewing. As a by-product of the water shortages the vegetation thins, thus improving visibility of animals. One important thing to bear in mind, however, is the crowding that can occur in certain reserves during these favourable periods. Should you wish to avoid other tourists, consider visiting Tanzania during the green season, usually from March to May, or even the short dry season from the end of December to February.

The Serengeti National Park contains exceptional game in high densities year-round, although peak time is during the dry season from June to September. If you’re visiting during this time and searching for the wildebeest of the Great Migration, your best chances of seeing them are in the western regions of the park in May and June at a camp like Singita Faru Faru Lodge or Ubuntu Migraton Camp, or in the northern section of the park for the famous river crossings. Camps like Lamai Serengeti, Olakira Migration Camp or Serian’s Serengeti North will fit the bill perfectly here. The Great Migration is always high on any safari enthusiast’s bucket list and planning a visit to coincide with the spectacle is popular so do book in advance!