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Visiting Tanzania in April
Weather and landscape
In Tanzania, April is the wettest month of the year and the start of the wet season. However, don't envisage April as a monochrome, depressing month of constant rain; most of the rain falls in the early afternoon and dissipates fast.
Outside of the thunderstorms, daytime temperatures will be relatively warm, ranging from 16°C to 28°C (and up to 30°C on the islands). While rain is only expected on half of the days in April, you should use caution when traveling during the wet season. Roads, especially dirt roads, can become muddy and difficult to navigate.
A place to stay in April
There is a silver lining to every cloud, and while there may be many clouds in the April Tanzanian skies, the silver lining is that April is quite affordable in terms of accommodation. Because April is the low season for tourism, many lodges will have reduced their rates.
April can also be beneficial owing to fewer people and visitors - you may be able to secure excellent accommodations for half the price and then have a monopoly on it when you are the only one there! While April may be rainy, there are ways to save money when traveling.
Planning a trip to Tanzania's Northern Circuit in April
The great wildebeest migration in April
The Serengeti's Great Migration is still in full swing in April, but in a new area. Because the Serengeti is so vast, observers and scientists have identified the most likely regions that the Migration would pass through each month, with April's being the Seronera sector of Serengeti National Park.
The rain in April offers plenty of food for the herds to graze on, making this month, towards the end of the initial migratory season, ideal for the herd to indulge. While January to March provide the best opportunities to observe predators at work, there will still be the rare attack in April.
Mount Kilimanjaro climb in April
Because April is the rainy season, only the most intrepid climbers should attempt to reach Africa's highest point. The rainy season begins in April and lasts until May, causing the well-trodden trails up Kilimanjaro to turn muddy and water-logged. The summit is blanketed with snow and ice, creating a stunning perspective of the mountain.
Kilimanjaro is difficult in April, but it is also a greater test for a potential climber to overcome. A distinct advantage of climbing Kilimanjaro in April is that you are less likely to encounter throngs of tourists or slow climbers - only professional mountaineers are likely to tackle the summit in April.
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Game drives, wildlife and birds in April
While rain can make game drives and safaris more difficult, it also brings out the wildlife. The wet season brings nature to life, not just plants, but also a plethora of young animals to the plains of the southern Serengeti, increasing the likelihood of a predator assault.
If you don't mind some rain, visiting Tanzania in April can be a highly rewarding experience. Ngorongoro Crater, for example, is at its most magnificent in April. Because there are less tourists, you can have more intimate and meaningful experiences - the sensation of being one with nature is at its peak.
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Visiting the beaches and islands of Tanzania in April
Zanzibar Island in April
April in Tanzania is a month of transition from the hot summer months to the cooler rainy season. While some may find Zanzibar in April unsettling, downpours are frequently brief - afternoon thunderstorms that give way to wonderfully bright evenings and gorgeous sunsets.
April is traditionally Zanzibar's quietest month, which means no crowded beaches and a more intimate experience. April is also an excellent time to assimilate the rich history on exhibit throughout the island, particularly in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Mafia Island in April
April is right in the middle of Tanzania’s rainy season, so when visiting Mafia in April, you are likely to experience some rain. While the storms are often quick, the weather aside from the showers is beautiful. On rainy days, there is always the option of exploring the historical sites on the island itself.
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Pemba Island in April
While the temperatures and sunshine hours in Pemba make it a wonderful year-round destination, keep in mind that April is a rainy month in Tanzania. When visiting Pemba in April, the rainstorms are usually brief thundershowers in the afternoon, allowing the plant life on the Green Island to thrive!
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Visiting the Southern Circuit of Tanzania in April
Game drives, wildlife, and birds in April
Seeing wildlife in southern Tanzania in April can be difficult at times, but there are many advantages. While rain and cloud cover can make observing animals difficult, rainstorms in Tanzania are often short and leave the air quite clear once they pass, making them perfect for watching.
Tanzania's southern circuit is often quiet in April, with many tourists preferring to visit during the dry season. This lack of activity in the parks might bring animals out into the open and allow a traveler in April to have more unique experiences with nature.
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Ruaha National Park in April
April is widely recognized as being in the midst of Tanzania's rainy season. However, there is some good news: when there are seasonal rains, crowds and hotel prices will drop significantly. The wet season also hosts one of the largest bird migrations in the country.
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Nyerere National Park (formerly known as Selous Game Reserve) in April
When it comes to Nyerere and Tanzania's other Southern Circuit parks, the old adage that April brings showers is completely true. The rainy days of April may not appear pleasant, but they have a purifying effect on the land, leaving fresh air and vibrantly colored plants in their wake.
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Visiting the Western Circuit of Tanzania in April
Mahale National Park in April
The conclusion of the wet season in western Tanzania is approaching in April, which means that the famed waterfalls in the Mahale Mountains will be in full flow. Mahale National Park is also one of Tanzania's more remote parks, providing a more intimate experience of merging with nature.
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Katavi National Park in April
April is a beautiful month to explore western Tanzania. Katavi National Park, one of the most remote parks, is alive with vibrant, colorful wildlife. The gorgeous countryside truly transports you to a time before human civilisation (apart from your game drive vehicle, of course!).
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Gombe Stream National Park in April
Because April is Gombe Stream National Park's low season, your chances of getting the entire park to yourself improve dramatically. There is no danger of Gombe becoming overwhelmed with tourists looking to view the chimps this time of year, so if you prefer a more intimate experience, now is the time!
Recommended tours in Tanzania in April
Climb Kilimanjaro
