Best Time to Visit Mikumi and Selous
Both parks can be visited for most of the year. The season changes what you see, how easy the roads are and what you pay.
June to October: the dry season
The best months for wildlife. The grass is short, the bush thins out and animals gather near rivers and waterholes. Mornings can be cool. These are also the busiest months, so book early. Our High season prices apply.
December to February: hot and green
Hot, with some rain, and green after the short rains. Wildlife is spread out but still easy to find, especially in Mikumi. The Christmas and New Year holidays are busy and count as High season from 20 December.
March to May: the long rains
The wettest time. Mikumi stays open, but some tracks become muddy. In Selous many camps close for part of this period, around April and May, and boat trips depend on the water level. Fewer visitors and lower prices; ask us before you plan.
November to mid-December: the short rains
Short showers, usually in the afternoon, between sunny spells. A good time for lower prices with fewer visitors.
And Zanzibar?
The island is warm all year. The heaviest rain usually falls from about April to May, which is also when the parks are wettest, so most travellers combine beach and safari between June and March.
Questions
Which month is best for a day trip from Zanzibar?
June to October gives the best game viewing; January and February are also good and less busy.
Why are prices lower in the low season?
Lodges and camps charge less, and the park's camp fee in Selous is lower from October to June. Flights and park entry cost the same.
Sources: TANAPA tariff 2023/24 for fees; Asilia Africa camp season notes for Selous; our own operating experience.
Trips that go there
1 day · by airMikumi Day Trip from Zanzibar
The quickest safari from the island: open plains where animals are easy to spot, and lunch in the park.
1 day · by airSelous Day Trip from Zanzibar
A game drive and a boat safari on the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park, the old Selous.
7 days · beach + safari7 Days: Zanzibar Beach & Selous Safari
Two nights on the Rufiji with a boat safari, four nights on the island.