A Tanzania safari in December is a rewarding choice: the wildebeest herds pour onto the green southern Serengeti, short rains freshen the parks, and early December is quieter than the July to October peak. Expect warm days around 27-29°C in the Serengeti, brief afternoon showers, and much busier camps from about 20 December.
The difficulty is that December changes week by week. Herds can be scattered at the start of the month, the festive season fills camps and pushes up prices, and new visa insurance rules apply. This guide covers the weather by region, where to go, what a Tanzania safari in December costs and how to plan it so it works.
Photo: Divulge Adventures
Quick Facts
- Season: End of the short rains; showers ease through the month
- Wildlife highlight: Great Migration herds arriving on the southern Serengeti plains around Ndutu
- Temperatures: About 27-29°C by day in the Serengeti, around 23°C in Arusha, about 32°C on Zanzibar
- Busiest dates: Roughly 20 December to early January, when festive rates apply
- Serengeti entry: US$82.60 per adult per 24 hours, including VAT (checked October 2026)
- Entry rules: eVisa plus mandatory US$44 Tanzanian inbound travel insurance since 1 October 2026
- Ideal length: 6-8 days on safari, plus 4-5 nights on Zanzibar if you want the beach
Is a Tanzania Safari in December Worth It?
A Tanzania safari in December is worth it for travellers who want big herds, green scenery and fewer vehicles than the dry-season peak. It suits families on school holidays, honeymooners adding Zanzibar and repeat visitors. It suits you less if you need guaranteed dry weather or the lowest possible price over Christmas.
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December falls between two famous seasons. The river crossings in the northern Serengeti are over, and the calving peak in the south is still weeks away, usually late January to February. In between, the herds travel south across open plains, predators follow them, and the grass turns bright green after the November rains.
The rest of Tanzania works too. Resident wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater does not migrate, so the crater delivers year-round game viewing. Migrant birds from Europe and Asia arrive from around November, which makes a Tanzania safari in December especially good for birders. For the Serengeti in detail, our Serengeti in December guide follows the herds week by week.
Pros and cons of a Tanzania safari in December
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Migration herds on the southern plains, close to the Ngorongoro area | Herds can be spread out in early December |
| Green landscapes, clear air and dramatic skies for photography | Afternoon showers and some slippery tracks |
| Quieter parks and better availability until mid-December | Festive rates and full camps from about 20 December |
| Easy to add a Zanzibar beach week in warm weather | Southern parks are hot and humid |
What Is the Weather Like in Tanzania in December?
The weather on a Tanzania safari in December is warm and green, with the short rains finishing. In the northern parks rain usually comes as afternoon or evening showers rather than all-day downpours, mornings are often clear, and conditions tend to get drier and sunnier as the month goes on.
Altitude makes a big difference. Arusha and the Ngorongoro highlands are cooler, with daytime highs around 23°C and chilly nights, while the coast and the southern parks are hot. The table below gives typical December conditions in the places most itineraries visit.
Photo: Divulge Adventures
| Region | Typical December weather | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Arusha and Karatu | Highs around 23°C, nights near 11°C, misty mornings | Pack a fleece for early starts |
| Ngorongoro Crater rim | Cool to cold, especially at night at about 2,300 m | Bring a warm jacket for the rim |
| Serengeti | Highs about 27-29°C, lows around 17°C, short showers | Clear mornings for game drives |
| Ruaha and Nyerere | Hot, about 31-33°C, humid, early rains | Plan midday rest at camp |
| Zanzibar and the coast | About 32°C, humid, clearer later in the month | Sun protection and light clothes |
Black cotton soil on the southern Serengeti plains turns slippery after heavy rain, and some tracks close for a day or two. This is one reason to travel with an experienced driver-guide in a proper 4×4. Our Tanzania safari packing checklist covers layers and rain gear.
Where to Go on a Tanzania Safari in December
The best places for a Tanzania safari in December are the southern and central Serengeti for the migration, the Ngorongoro Crater for reliable Big Five viewing, and Tarangire or Lake Manyara for elephants and birds. Ruaha and Nyerere in the south are quieter, greener alternatives for a second or third safari.
Photo: Divulge Adventures
Southern and central Serengeti
In early December the herds are usually moving through the central and eastern Serengeti, so the Seronera area makes a flexible base. From mid-December they tend to gather on the short-grass plains around Ndutu, Kusini and Namiri. Splitting your nights between the centre and the south covers you whichever way the rain falls.
The drive from Arusha to the central Serengeti takes about 7 to 7.5 hours, passing through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, while light aircraft cut it to about an hour. Our Tanzania northern circuit itinerary shows how the parks link together day by day.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is a strong stop in December because its wildlife stays on the crater floor all year: lion, buffalo, elephant, hyena and a small population of black rhino. The crater is close to Ndutu, so it pairs naturally with the southern Serengeti. Nights on the rim are cold, so pack warm layers.
Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Tarangire is famous for elephants and baobab trees. Its biggest elephant gatherings are in the dry months along the Tarangire River, and after the short rains some herds spread into the wider landscape, yet the park remains a rewarding first or last stop. Lake Manyara works well as a half or full day on the way west.
Ruaha and Nyerere
The southern parks are hot and green in December, with game more spread out than in the dry season and far fewer vehicles. They suit repeat visitors who want walking safaris and boat trips. Many seasonal camps in the south close later in the wet season, so check camp dates if your Tanzania safari in December falls near Christmas. See our southern circuit Tanzania safari guide for routes.
Photo: Divulge Adventures
How Much Does a Tanzania Safari in December Cost?
A Tanzania safari in December costs about the same as other high-season months until roughly 20 December, then festive rates and supplements apply until early January. Park fees stay fixed: the Serengeti charges US$82.60 per adult per 24 hours from 16 May to 14 March, including VAT (checked October 2026).
The figures below are estimates per person per night, sharing, for a private safari with vehicle, guide, meals and park fees included. They are built from current park fees and typical published lodge rate bands, not Divulge package prices, so treat them as a planning guide only.
| Style | Early to mid-December (estimate) | Christmas and New Year (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget camping | US$250-350 per person per night | US$300-400 per person per night |
| Mid-range lodges and tented camps | US$400-650 per person per night | US$500-800 per person per night |
| Luxury camps and lodges | US$900-1,500+ per person per night | US$1,100-2,000+ per person per night |
Fixed costs to budget for
Ngorongoro Conservation Area entry is US$70.80 per adult per 24 hours, plus a crater service fee of US$295 per vehicle for each descent. Tarangire and Lake Manyara cost US$59 per adult per 24 hours in high season (all checked October 2026). Our Tanzania park fees breakdown explains concession fees and the 24-hour rule. Fees can change at short notice, so confirm on the Tanzania National Parks website before booking.
See our Tanzania safaris for December
Browse tailor-made Tanzania itineraries with private 4×4 vehicles, expert local guides and routes timed to follow the herds south.
How Many Days Do You Need for a Tanzania Safari in December?
Six to eight days is the sweet spot for a Tanzania safari in December. That gives you a night in Arusha, Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and three or four nights split between the central and southern Serengeti, enough to find the herds even if rain moves them. Add four to five nights if you want Zanzibar.
| Days | Suggested route | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 days | Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, central Serengeti | Short trips and first-timers |
| 7-8 days | Tarangire, Ngorongoro, central and southern Serengeti | Following the migration south |
| 10-12 days | Northern circuit safari plus Zanzibar beach | Families and honeymooners |
Our 8-day Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti safari follows this classic route, and the 10-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar beach trip adds the island at the end.
Adding Zanzibar to a Tanzania safari in December
Zanzibar is the classic way to end a Tanzania safari in December: the island is hot, humid and mostly sunny, with clearer skies as the short rains fade. It is an easy finish to a safari, reached by short flights from Arusha or straight from Serengeti airstrips. Christmas and New Year are the busiest beach dates of the year, so secure hotels early.
Photo: Divulge Adventures
Our guide to adding a Zanzibar beach extension compares the island’s coasts and how many nights to allow.
Climbing Kilimanjaro in December
Kilimanjaro can be climbed in December, though there is more cloud and rain than in January and February because the short rains are finishing. The drier northern side makes the Rongai route a sensible choice. Holiday dates are popular, so book early and pack quality waterproofs.
Photo: Divulge Adventures
Read our Kilimanjaro climbing guide for routes and altitude advice, or see our mountain climbing packages.
What Do You Need to Book a Tanzania Safari in December?
To book a Tanzania safari in December you need a valid passport, a Tanzania eVisa, the new mandatory inbound travel insurance and, if you fly in from Kenya or another risk country, a yellow fever certificate. Book camps three to six months ahead, and earlier for any dates after 20 December.
A single-entry Tanzania visa costs US$50 for most nationalities, while US citizens pay US$100 for a multiple-entry visa (checked October 2026). Our Tanzania visa guide walks through the eVisa steps.
The new Tanzania inbound travel insurance
Since 1 October 2026, foreign visitors to Tanzania must buy a US$44 government inbound travel insurance policy covering medical emergencies for up to 92 days. Mainland visitors buy it through the National Insurance Corporation inbound portal, and one policy covers both the mainland and Zanzibar. Residents of EAC and SADC countries are exempt. It does not replace your own comprehensive travel insurance.
Combining Kenya and Tanzania in December
Many travellers start a Tanzania safari in December in Nairobi and cross to Arusha by road or air. December works well in both countries, though at this time of year the migration herds are in Tanzania rather than in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Our Kenya safari in December guide covers the Kenyan side.
Insider Tips
- Travel early: 1-15 December gives you green parks, migration action and better availability
- Split your Serengeti nights: Central and southern bases cover you if rain shifts the herds
- Drive early: Morning game drives usually stay dry before afternoon showers
- Fly one way: A light-aircraft flight back to Arusha saves a long, muddy drive
- Pack layers: Crater rim nights are cold even when the Serengeti is warm
- Book festive dates early: Camps for 20 December to early January often fill months ahead
Let us plan your safari
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time for a Tanzania safari?
Yes, December is a good time for a Tanzania safari for most travellers. The wildebeest herds reach the southern Serengeti, the parks are green, and showers are usually short. The trade-offs are some muddy tracks, scattered herds early in the month and higher prices and fuller camps from around 20 December.
Where is the Great Migration in December?
The Great Migration in December is usually moving from the central and eastern Serengeti onto the southern short-grass plains around Ndutu. By late December many herds are close to the calving grounds, and the first calves can appear. Rainfall decides the exact route each year, so guides check recent sightings before choosing where to drive.
Does it rain a lot in Tanzania in December?
December in Tanzania sits at the end of the short rains, so some rain is normal but it rarely lasts all day. In the northern parks it typically falls as afternoon or evening showers, and it tends to ease as the month goes on. Zanzibar is hot and humid, with clearer skies later in December.
How much does a Tanzania safari in December cost?
A Tanzania safari in December costs roughly the same as other high-season months until about 20 December, then festive rates apply. As an estimate, mid-range lodge safaris run about US$400 to US$650 per person per night including park fees, with luxury camps far higher. Park entry is US$82.60 per adult per 24 hours in the Serengeti (checked October 2026).
Can I combine a Tanzania safari in December with Zanzibar?
Yes, combining a Tanzania safari in December with Zanzibar is one of the most popular holiday plans. Short flights link Arusha and the Serengeti airstrips to Zanzibar, and the island is warm and sunny for most of the month. Book early for Christmas and New Year, because beach hotels fill quickly in late December.
Final Thoughts
A Tanzania safari in December rewards you with migration herds on green southern plains, reliable crater game viewing and an easy Zanzibar finish. Travel in the first half of the month for value and space, or book early if you want Christmas in the bush.
Tell us your dates and we will match the route to where the herds are likely to be.
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