Tanzania in November: Travel Tips, Weather & More

Tanzania safari in November marks the end of the dry season and the start of the southward migration season, when the great herds stream through the woodlands and flood onto the plains as stunning thunderclouds form in anticipation of the approaching green season. It is an amazing spectacle to see thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle thundering southwards with lion, cheetah and spotted hyena in close pursuit. The weather is ideal in November and the occasional thundershower rarely impedes game viewing.

Occasional showers can be expected in November. In late November, towering thunderclouds form and herald the onset of the green season. November is a period of dramatic change as the rains transform the parched landscape.

Northern Tanzania: November usually has comfortable weather for sightseeing treks since it is warm or hot. By scheduling your excursions in the mornings and watching the weather, you can still enjoy outdoor activities and safaris. The weather in Zanzibar is rainier and less predictable than the mainland, and it is stormier and rainier in the first half of November.

Southern Tanzania: There is less rainfall in the south, so safaris, hiking and other activities may be not be affected as much as in the north. Nyerere, Ruaha and other southern national parks are hotter than the northern ones, and there is moderate to low rainfall. The weather is usually suitable for safaris, hiking, boating, and balloon rides.

Tanzania Weather in November

The rains from early November to late March are usually sporadic and typically do not last for more then a few hours. There is a chance of heavier rain during this period but during most years the heavier rains fall in April. These expected sporadic showers do not usually pose much of an inconvenience while game driving. If it does rain, it will usually clear in 1-2 hours and more then likely the rain will be localized. It is rare that rain clouds will settle over a large area for an extended period of time.

Rain falls in different amounts over various locations throughout Northern Tanzania. The Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara receive higher rainfall then many parts of the Serengeti. There is a steep rainfall gradient in the Serengeti from the dry southeast to the wet northwest. The winds that bring rain blow from the east. The Ngorongoro Highlands block much of the rain from reaching the eastern and southern plains of the Serengeti. However, the western and northern parts of the Serengeti receive a much greater amount (2-3 times more) of participation as compared to the southern and eastern Serengeti. The wetter western and northern Serengeti areas are affected by Lake Victoria.

Temperatures are pleasant with an average high of 83 degrees and an average low of 60 degrees. However, the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater can get quite cold at night and in the early morning. Visitor numbers are relatively low during November, which combined with good game viewing opportunities makes this month an excellent choice for a safari.

Best Places to Visit in Tanzania in November

Top things to do in November include hiking and spending time in the wildernesses, seeing wildlife, and going to the beaches. Consider urban attractions or the huge, wild, and drier southern parks.

Dar Es Salaam — Tour the Highlights

The capital, Dar Es Salaam, has both natural and urban attractions, and it is the No. 1 way into the country. In November, the weather is hot and sunny with moderate rainfall.

You could visit the urban attractions when it rains, such as the National Museum, to learn about Tanzania’s culture and history. You could also visit street market areas such as Kariakoo to buy some souvenirs, products, fruit and food. The street markets offer a variety of locally-produced and imported goods.

When it is not raining you could go to the beaches such as South Beach that is crowded and has hotels along it or Bongoyo Island offshore — a protected marine preserve that has fine beaches. Pugu Hills Forest Reserve is an hour’s drive away.

 Ngorongoro Crater — Safaris, Hikes, and Relaxing in Hotels

At the Ngorongoro Crater, you can have a rewarding safari adventure in November, when the weather is usually fine, since the rains are short. Besides stunning high-altitude scenery, you can drive up close to numerous animals in a habitat that is like a huge bowl measuring 260 square kilometers (100 square miles). The floor of the crater is at altitude 1,700 meters (5,577 feet), and the rim shelters it to make a drier microclimate with average daily highs of about 23°C (73°F).

The rim, at an elevation of 2,300 meters (8,530 feet), is much colder with nighttime temperatures of about 6°C (43°F) and occasional freezing weather. You could hike along the rim through forests and see fantastic scenery from posh rim hotels. The world’s largest inland volcanic caldera is just southeast of the Serengeti, about 3 hours’ drive from Arusha.

 Arusha National Park — A Variety of Things To Do

November is a good month for going to Arusha NP, a big wilderness with beautiful green scenery. The short rains of November usually leave its mornings fine for outdoor excursions and its diverse habitats and scenery beautiful and lush. It is warm during the days and a little nippy at night.

Arusha NP is a great natural park with a variety of things to do only an hour from Arusha, a good tourist base city. It has places to hike, safari, kayak, and fish. Mount Meru, adjacent, is the second tallest mountain in Tanzania, but when it rains, hiking on the volcano might be dangerous due to slippery trails.

Transport: Arusha NP is an hour and a half from Kilimanjaro International Airport and 5 hours from Nairobi.

City of Arusha — Resting, Fine Dining, Shopping and Excursions

Arusha is the ‘Safari Capital’ for people going on wilderness excursions. It is a good city to use as a base for touring and safaris since it has luxurious hotels, backpacker lodges, spas, interesting places to go to, and a domestic airport. In November, the weather is warm and the rainfall is moderate.

When it is rainy, you could visit the Natural History Museum. To learn about a unique precious gemstone that was only recently discovered and only mined near Mount Kilimanjaro, you could visit the Tanzanite Museum and buy gemstones. Tanzanite is a unique colorful gemstone that changes colors based on viewpoint.

Transport: Ngorongoro is about 3 hours away. Driving to Arusha from Nairobi takes 5 hours. Driving from Kilimanjaro International Airport takes an hour.

Nyerere — Safari, Hike, Balloon, Sightsee in Drier Weather

While the great northern wilderness preserves get more rainfall that hampers outdoor activities, the world’s largest national park, Nyerere, is drier with only about 7 days of rain in November for a total of 10 cm (4 inches). It has diverse habitats that allow you to see a variety of animals.

You can see hippopotami and crocodiles in East Africa’s largest river and a lot of other species. The weather in December is good for activities ranging from boating, to hiking, to fishing. The extra rain in December provides moisture, but because the rains are short and usually in the afternoons, your excursions should usually not be affected if early in the day.

It is a great time to see lush green vegetation and migratory birds in the 30,893-sq-km (11,928-square-mile) preserve. You could fly-in from Dar Es Salaam airport (DAR) or have a 5½-hour bumpy ride from the capital. Your tour guide would pick you up at the airport and handle all further arrangements.

Recommended Tours for Tanzania Safari in November

November has moderate tourism. The rains hamper tourist activities somewhat, but you could watch the weather and plan your touring and activities around the rains to have a great tour while the land is lush and the prices and crowds are moderate.

We suggest that you plan your tour with urban bases, such as Arusha, where there are good facilities and good travel infrastructure suitable for travel on short excursions as the weather permits and where you can enjoy urban activities too.

Lodges and hotels around the wilderness preserves and the beaches are fully open in November. Book your tours and reservations early. To avoid the biggest crowds and higher prices, and to also enjoy the lighter rainfall, Ruaha and especially Nyerere are recommended. We offer both group tours and private tours, as well as customized tours to Tanzania safari itinerary.