Short dry season
Tanzania in January
Hot and mostly dry, with the odd afternoon storm. Expect 28–30°C on the plains.
- Season
- Short dry season
- Safari quality
- Very good. The herds are on the southern short-grass plains, and calving is just around the corner.
- How busy
- Busy over New Year, then quieter
The southern Serengeti plains are green and packed with animals. Predators follow the gathering herds, and the Ngorongoro Crater is at its best before the long rains arrive.
The migration in January
Southern Serengeti & Ndutu
You'll find them on the short-grass plains around Ndutu and the Salei plains.
- What is happening
- Herds gathering before calving
- Herd behaviour
- Huge crowds on the fresh grass, and plenty of heavily pregnant females.
- Photography
- Green backdrops and dramatic storm light
- Where to be
- Ndutu · Southern Serengeti
Remember, the herds follow rainfall, not a calendar. This is where they usually are this month, based on recent years. Think of it as a planning guide, never a guarantee of what you'll see.
Where we'd go