Weather & Climate
Weather & Climate – Serengeti NP
The Weather & Climate in Serengeti is usually moderate and pleasant. It never gets very hot, but it is consistently cool to cold at night and in the early mornings. Don’t forget to take warm clothing.
Serengeti’s Dry season is from June to October. There are two Wet seasons. The ‘short rains’ are from November to December, and the ‘long rains’ are from March to May. During the Wet season, it rarely rains all day, but afternoon thundershowers can be expected.
Dry Season–June to October
Afternoon temperatures are usually around 25°C/77°F. Most days have a fine, clear sky. It gets cold at night with minimum temperatures around 14°C/57°F.
June, July, August & September – Occasional cold fronts are possible, with temperatures close to freezing. It’s usually cold early in the morning.
October – The short rains might start at the end of October if they are early.
Wet Season–November to May
As in the Dry season, temperatures are moderate during the Wet season. Afternoon temperatures are usually around 26°C/79°F, and night temperatures are around 15°C/59°F.
November & December – ‘Short rains’ – An unpredictable period of about a month of rains occurs sometime between October and December. The rains will be unlikely to interfere with your safari.
January & February – There tends to be a dry spell between the short and long rains. The exact timing is unpredictable.
March, April & May – ‘Long rains’ – These are the wettest months. It tends to rain most days, although seldom for the whole day. It is often cloudy. In April and May, cold fronts might bring colder peak temperatures.
There’s a rain gradient from the arid southeast plains (400 mm yearly) to the much wetter northwest close to the Kenyan border and the Masai Mara with up to 1,200 mm per year. The low drizzle on the Serengeti plains is generated by the rain shadow of the Ngorongoro Crater Area and the Meru-Kilimanjaro mountain crest. The average rainfall is around 1000 ml per year. This rainfall ensures that the massive herds of wildebeest have ample food as they migrate.
Prevailing south-easterly winds dragging wetness off the Indian Ocean are forced to ascend over these highlands. However, diverting winds can bring moisture back inland from Lake Victoria, neutralizing this effect and yielding this rainfall gradient.
