Dry season and rains at a glance
Southern Tanzania has a clear dry season and a rainy one. The park is in the south, where the dry months run from June to October. Short rains can fall in November and December, and the long rains come from mid-March to May. The dry season can run to about November, so treat the edges as a transition and not a fixed date.
Your dates also shape what you book. Game drives are easiest to plan in the dry months, while the wet months call for more checking of roads and river levels. Browse the Nyerere safari page once you have a season in mind.
Our pick: a four-day trip with flights
Dry-season access matters for the hot springs excursion, which is not always possible.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Nyerere safaris by season
Guided safaris, boat trips and fly-in tours to Nyerere National Park with live prices and availability. Check the dates against the season you want.
Monthly temperatures and rainfall
Averages for Dar es Salaam on the coast, 1971 to 2000, as a regional guide.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.8 °C | 23.5 °C | 76.3 mm |
| February | 32.4 °C | 23.3 °C | 54.9 mm |
| March | 32.1 °C | 22.8 °C | 138.1 mm |
| April | 30.7 °C | 22.4 °C | 254.2 mm |
| May | 29.8 °C | 21.3 °C | 197.8 mm |
| June | 29.3 °C | 19.2 °C | 42.9 mm |
| July | 28.9 °C | 18.2 °C | 25.6 mm |
| August | 29.4 °C | 18.1 °C | 24.1 mm |
| September | 30.3 °C | 18.4 °C | 22.8 mm |
| October | 30.9 °C | 19.7 °C | 69.3 mm |
| November | 31.4 °C | 21.3 °C | 125.9 mm |
| December | 31.6 °C | 22.8 °C | 117.8 mm |
These are long-term averages of daily highs and lows and the mean monthly rainfall at a coastal station. They are values for the coast and not park readings, and they are not a forecast for any year. Use them for the shape of the year: the wettest months are March to May, the driest July to September.
For most visitors, June to October is the sensible window. The weather is mostly dry, the nights are the coolest of the year and there is less to check on roads and rivers.
Best time to visit Nyerere National Park
Which season fits which plan.
June to October: the dry months
This is the usual choice for a first visit. Rain is rare, and tracks and river levels are easier to judge. Plan a mix of boat safaris on the Rufiji and game drives.
November and December: short rains
Brief showers are typical. They do not close the park, but ask your camp about conditions on the day of your transfer.
January and February: between the rains
These months are hot, with moderate rainfall in the coastal averages. Ask your camp about its opening dates.
Mid-March to May: the long rains
This is the wettest stretch. Some camps close for part of it, which is a camp decision and not a rule for the whole park.
What the rains change on the ground
The park authority asks visitors to check the river level and the road situation in the rainy season. Not every boat route runs all year. Your operator knows the current state, so ask rather than assume.
A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for the roads to the park, especially in the rain. Our getting there page covers the routes. Flights to the airstrips are an alternative.
Park seasons and fees
The tariff has its own calendar, not the weather's.
Main season
Under the 2023/24 tariff, 16 May to 14 March is the main season for the conservation fee.
Low season
The same tariff makes 15 March to 15 May the low season, with lower amounts. Check the current dates and amounts before you book. More on the Nyerere park fees page.
Climate on this page is one input. The wildlife, from elephants to hippos, is the reason to go, but no month guarantees a sighting.
Nyerere weather: frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Nyerere National Park?
For most visitors, June to October. The weather is mostly dry and the roads and river levels are easier to judge. The park is open outside this window too, but the long rains from mid-March to May need more planning.
When is the rainy season?
Short rains can fall in November and December, and the long rains run from mid-March to May. The edges move from year to year.
Is Nyerere closed in the rainy season?
There is no closure of the whole park. Some individual camps close for part of the rains, so ask your camp.
How hot does it get?
The coastal averages show highs of about 29 to 32 °C through the year and lows from about 18 to 24 °C. Use them as a regional guide and not as park readings.
When are the nights coolest?
From June to September, with lows of about 18 °C in the coastal averages. The dry months are also the coolest of the year.