Tanzania Weather in March

Season: Long Rainy Season
In Short: rainy and humid, more thunder showers

Rainy Season is Beginning in March

The weather in Tanzania in March is generally rainy and humid, as it comes to the long rainy season. The average monthly precipitation rises to 80 mm, and the rainy days is around 11. The good thing is that there is basically no long-lasting rain, but showers; and the showers often occur in the early morning and stop near noon. After the pouring rain, the sky is clear and the air is fresh, which make the weather comfortable. In addition, in the savannah, it is often sunny in some places and rainy in some other. As a whole, the rainfall will not have a marked impact on your journey. You’d better return to the hotel before dark, as the night might be rainy again.

March is one of the hottest months of the year in Tanzania, with the temperatures ranging from 21 - 31°C (69.8 - 87.8°F). There is a relatively large temperature difference with cool mornings and evenings and hot noons, so you need to prepare suitable clothes when going out.

Watching Elephants in Serengeti National Park

Safari in Serengeti National Park

In general, the climate in Tanzania in March is not that moderate, making it not a good time to go there. If you’re planning a trip to Tanzania in March 2025, you’d better have a plan B ready in case of a sudden downpour. The safari vehicle may get stuck after the rain, so check the solutions with your guide before safari. However, safari is cheaper, and costs for hotel and admission tickets are lower. Also, there are fewer tourists, so animals will not be driven away by the noise.

The rainiest places in Tanzania in March:
Tabora: 160 mm, 11 days; Mtwara: 151 mm, 12 days

The driest places in Tanzania in March:
Arusha: 75 mm, 12 days; Kilimanjaro: 77 mm, 11 days

The hottest places in Tanzania in March:
Zanzibar: 23 - 33°C (73.4 - 91.4°F); 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 March:
Tabora: 18 - 28°C (64.4 - 82.4°F); Mwanza: 18 - 29°C (64.4 - 84.2°F)

Packing List

The daily temperature difference in March is large, and you are recommended to dress in a layering way.

Daytime: The temperature is higher in the daytime, so cotton or quick-drying short sleeves, sports vests, shorts, cotton and thin linen pants are nice. And it’ll be better to take a light long-sleeved shirt or a blouse to protect yourself from the burning sun and mosquitoes.

Early Morning and Night: Nights are cooler, so you’ll need a thin knitwear, a long-sleeved shirt or a thin hoodie. It may be colder at higher elevations, so pack a thick denim jacket or hardshell jacket. It’s best to wear long pants such as jeans or sweatpants at night.

Shoes: Comfortable and anti-slippery shoes are highly recommended during the rainy season, such as walking shoes, sneakers and ankle boots. Choose stain-resistant colors and avoid white which will stain easily.

Accessories: Rain gear is a must-take in the rainy season. Bring sunglasses, a wide-brim hat and sunblock in case you get sunburned in the burning sun after rain. Mosquito repellent and cold medicines are essential.

Tips: You’d better choose light color clothes when go on safari as bright ones may irritate animals. It’ll be not convenient to wash clothes during Tanzania tour, so bring enough short sleeves, tank tops and disposable underwear.

Where to Go in Tanzania in March

Tourism Rate:

Observe Wildlife in Ngorongoro

1. Southern Serengeti

If you’re planning a trip to Tanzania in March, come to the southern Serengeti and catch the last chance in the year to see the wild animals calving. You are likely to witness up close the famous scene of millions of wildebeest giving birth, like the birth of fluffy cubs such as lion cubs and cheetahs. This is also the peak hunting season for predators, and it’s possible to capture a sight of predators hunting.

2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Hippos at Waterside, Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a great place where you can admire the sea of flowers and see wildlife wandering at the same time. Every year in the rainy season from March to May, abundant flowers like lilies, lavender, petunia, wild chrysanthemum, and clover are in blossom in the crater, and elephants, lions, zebras, ostriches and rhinos wander, play and sleep in the sea of flowers. The “Big Five” of Africa can be seen here too.

Moreover, stop by the Hadzabe Tribe to have a close look at the local tribal culture. It’s Tanzania’s last hunting tribe. People here still maintain a primitive way of life and speak the oldest jungle language.

3. Lake Natron

Starting in March, millions of lesser flamingos gather on Lake Natron for a six-week-long hatching. Flamingos tend to keep off from human, so you are highly recommended to bring a professional camera in case you want to take pictures. Here, you can also watch the Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania’s only active volcano, from afar. In addition, you’d better listen to your guide along the lake to prevent getting into the mire.

Weather in Major Destinations in Tanzania in March

Destination	Temp.	Rainfall mm / days	Humidity	Sunrise / Sunset
Dar es Salaam	23 - 32°C (73.4 - 89.6°F)	137 / 11	82%	06:25 - 06:28 / 18:27 - 18:41
Dodoma	19 - 29°C (66.2 - 84.2°F)	115 / 7	74%	06:39 - 06:42 / 18:42 - 18:55
Mwanza	18 - 29°C (64.4 - 84.2°F)	139 / 11	75%	06:49 - 06:55 / 18:54 - 19:03
Mtwara	23 - 32°C (73.4 - 89.6°F)	150 / 12	83%	06:22 - 06:23 / 18:23 - 18:40
Zanzibar	23 - 33°C (73.4 - 91.4°F)	137 / 10	81%	06:25 - 06:28 / 18:28 - 18:41
Arusha	19 - 31°C (66.2 - 87.8°F)	75 / 12	66%	06:35 - 06:40 / 18:39 - 18:50
Kilimanjaro	19 - 32°C (66.2 - 89.6°F)	77 / 11	66%	06:36 - 06:38 / 18:48 - 18:51
Tabora	18 - 28°C (64.4 - 82.4°F)	160 / 11	78%	06:51 - 06:55 / 18:54 - 19:06
Morogoro	19 - 29°C (66.2 - 84.2°F)	115 / 7	73%	06:43 - 06:47 / 18:25 - 18:27
Iringa	19 - 27°C (66.2 - 80.6°F)	121 / 6	75%	06:47 - 06:54 / 19:53 - 19:02

3-Day Weather Forecast of Major Destinations

Dar es Salaam

Dodoma

Zanzibar City

Arusha

Tabora

Bukoba

Tanzania Weather by Month

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