Serengeti Weather Guide: A Climatologist’s Year-Round View

The Rhythm of the Tropical Savanna

The Serengeti’s climate is defined more by moisture than by temperature. Classified as a tropical savanna climate, the region operates on a bimodal rainfall cycle that dictates the movement of millions of animals. Because the park sits at a high elevation—ranging from 1,100 to 2,000 meters (3,600 to 6,600 feet)—it acts as a "cool island" within the broader East African heat. Visitors are often surprised to find that despite its proximity to the equator, the Serengeti is rarely oppressively hot and can feel remarkably chilly after sunset.

Diurnal Climate Behavior

A typical day in the Serengeti follows a predictable atmospheric pulse.

• Morning: Early hours are crisp and cool, with temperatures often dipping to 13°C (55°F). In higher elevations or during cold fronts, it can feel near freezing.
• Midday: As the sun reaches its zenith, the landscape warms rapidly. Daytime highs average between 25°C and 28°C (77°F to 82°F). The air is generally dry, making the heat feel less intense than in coastal regions.
• Afternoon: In the wet seasons, thermal heating often triggers localized afternoon thunderstorms. These are typically brief but dramatic, featuring towering cumulonimbus clouds and intense downpours.
• Evening: Temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets, and the lack of humidity in the dry season allows heat to radiate rapidly back into space.

Seasonal Dynamics

The Dry Season (June to October)

This is the most stable period. Skies are almost permanently clear, and humidity is at its lowest.

• Climate Feel: It feels "dusty" and crisp. The lack of rain causes vegetation to recede and water sources to shrink, concentrating wildlife.
• Unique Phenomena: Occasional cold fronts can sweep in from the south, particularly in June and July, bringing unexpectedly biting winds during dawn game drives.

The Short Rains (November to December)

This transition period brings unpredictable, brief showers. It is a time of immediate transformation as the golden-brown plains turn emerald green almost overnight.

The Short Dry Spell (January to February)

Often called the "calving season," this is a brief hiatus in the rains. While still technically part of the wet season, it is characterized by hot, sunny days and high humidity. It is the warmest time of the year, with daytime highs frequently reaching 30°C (86°F).

The Long Rains (March to May)

This is the peak of the "Green Season." Rainfall is more consistent and can be prolonged, though it rarely rains all day. The atmosphere is heavy with moisture, and the landscape is at its most lush.

Microclimates and Rainfall Gradients

The Serengeti is not a monoculture of weather. There is a sharp rainfall gradient from the southeast to the northwest:

• The Arid Southeast: Areas near the Ngorongoro Highlands sit in a "rain shadow" created by the crater rim and Mount Kilimanjaro. This region receives as little as 400mm of rain annually.
• The Wet Northwest: As you move toward Lake Victoria and the Kenyan border, rainfall triples to nearly 1,200mm. This variation is why the Great Migration moves in a clockwise circle; the animals follow the local rain to find fresh grass.

Historical Context and Local Adaptation

Historically, the Serengeti's weather was considered highly predictable. However, recent decades have shown an increase in "rogue" weather events—longer-than-usual dry spells or intensive flooding during the long rains.

Locals and safari guides experience the weather through the lens of "African Time," where the start of the rains is celebrated as the "rebirth" of the plains. They look for specific natural indicators, such as the arrival of migratory birds from Europe or the behavior of dung beetles, to signal shifting atmospheric pressures. To a local, the weather isn't just a forecast; it is the fundamental force that decides where the herds will be and whether the black cotton soil roads will be passable.