Tanzania Weather in December
Season: Short Rainy Season
In Short: wet, cool in the morning and evening, hot at noon
The weather in Tanzania in December is cool in the morning and evening and hot at noon, with the average monthly temperatures ranging from 21 - 30℃ (69.8 - 86°F). The sun can be burning around noon, so it’s necessary to use sunscreen. It’s in the latter half of the short rainy season, with about 11 rainy days and an average monthly rainfall of 74 mm. The rain is mostly showers in the evening or during the lunch break. Another feature of Tanzania climate in December is cloudy and changeable. And wherever the clouds move, it may rain. In the vast savannah, it is possible to be sunny where you are while raining not far away.
Wildlife in Tarangire NP in December
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Overall, December is not the best month to travel to Tanzania because of the more frequent rainfall and changeable climate. However, it is also worth a visit for the lush vegetation after rain and animals’ moving back to Tanzania from Kenya, as well as the lower cost for travelling. Check the weather and make good preparations beforehand if you want to visit Tanzania in December 2024.
The rainiest places in Tanzania in December: Tabora: 165 mm, 16 days; Mwanza: 133 mm, 12 days
The driest places in Tanzania in December: Ngorongoro: 41 mm, 2 days; Arusha: 42 mm, 2 days
The hottest places in Tanzania in December:
Dar es Salaam: 23 - 32°C (73.4 - 89.6°F); Mtwara: 23 - 32°C (73.4 - 89.6°F)
The coolest places in Tanzania in December:
Iringa: 17 - 27°C (62.6 - 80.6°F); Mwanza: 18 - 27°C (64.4 - 80.6°F)
How to Dress and What to Take
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Tops: For safari, the combination of a tank top with a sun proof coat is the best. A cotton short sleeves or a thin long-sleeved shirt are also good choices. And a light jacket may be needed in case of the sudden temperature drop. Pack enough tank tops, short sleeves and disposable underwear because it’s not convenient to wash clothes. For beach time and city walk, beautiful short sleeves and dresses are good choices. Bottoms: For safari, wear thin and breathable long pants to protect against flies and the burning sun. For beach time and city walk, nice shorts and skirts are great.
Shoes: Comfortable, rain-proof walking shoes are best for Safari. And bring a pair of slippers, easy to be taken off so that you can stand on the seat and observe animals anytime. For beach time, it’s best to wear sandals or slippers. Lightweight, rain-proof sneakers are good for city walk.
Accessories: In the rainy season, rain gear is the first to be taken. Sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat with a string and sunscreen are all needed to protect against the sun. Moreover, take insect repellent to prevent flies’ bites.
Tips: Earthy colors are the optimum, and avoid red which easily irritate wildlife, as well as black and dark blue that attract flies. And don’t wear white, which gets dirty easily in the rainy season.
Top Attractions to Visit in Tanzania in December
Tourism Rate:
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Observe Lions in Serengeti National Park
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1. Central and Southern Serengeti
In December, zebras, wildebeest and gazelles are on their way back to the Ndutu Plain in the southern Serengeti, where they’ll give birth to pups. After the rain, Serengeti is green with new growth and herbivores gather in large groups. Most of the female wildebeest and zebras are pregnant with babies, leisurely grazing on the savannah. And you may see predators lurking in the grass ready to ambush their prey.
2. Lake Manyara
Late December is a great time to go to Lake Manyara for bird watching. During the rainy season, there will be a large flock of flamingos gathering on the lake, with some of them having completely turned pink and others slowly turning pink starting from their wings. It’s amazing to see a sea of pink and blue from a distance. In addition, the lake has an abundance of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes and lazy leopards, as well as the well-known “tree climbing lions”.
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3. Gombe Stream National Park
Located on the border between Kigoma and Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, Gombe Stream National Park is famous for Jane Goodall’s gorilla studies. The hilly and forested landscape here is particularly hospitable to primates. Gorillas do not travel far during the rainy season, making them easy to be found. Olive baboons are the most common breed here, along with red-tailed monkeys and colobus monkeys, which are often hunted by chimpanzees.
Weather in Major Destinations in Tanzania in December
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Destination |
Temp. |
Rainfall
mm / days
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Humidity |
Sunrise / Sunset |
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Dar es Salaam |
23 - 32°C (73.4 - 89.6°F) |
123 / 9 |
80% |
05:57 - 06:10 / 18:26 - 18:41 |
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Dodoma |
18 - 30°C (64.4 - 86°F) |
106 / 7 |
64% |
06:12 - 06:25 / 18:39 - 18:54 |
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Mwanza |
18 - 27°C (64.4 - 80.6°F) |
133 / 12 |
75% |
06:29 - 06:43 / 18:44 - 18:59 |
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Mtwara |
23 - 32°C (73.4 - 89.6°F) |
95 / 6 |
78% |
05:47 - 06:00 / 18:28 - 18:43 |
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Zanzibar |
23- 31°C (73.4 - 87.8°F) |
108 / 13 |
81% |
05:58 - 06:11 / 18:25 - 18:40 |
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Arusha |
19 - 31°C (66.2 - 87.8°F) |
42 / 2 |
64% |
06:13 - 06:26 / 18:31 - 18:45 |
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Kilimanjaro |
19 - 31°C (66.2 - 87.8°F) |
42 / 8 |
65% |
06:11 - 06:24 / 18:29 - 18:43 |
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Tabora |
18 - 29°C (64.4 - 84.2°F) |
165 / 16 |
70% |
06:25 - 06:39 / 18:49 - 19:03 |
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Morogoro |
18 - 30°C (64.4 - 86°F) |
89 / 3 |
62% |
06:09 - 06:22 / 18:41 - 18:56 |
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Iringa |
17 - 27°C (62.6 - 80.6°F) |
121 / 7 |
75% |
06:28 - 06:42 / 18:41 - 18:56 |
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Ngorongoro |
19 - 31°C (66.2 - 87.8°F) |
41 / 2 |
65% |
06:18 - 06:31 / 18:35 - 18:50 |