Mikumi weather and the seasons
Mikumi National Park is open all year. The dry season runs from June to October, and it is the period when wildlife concentrates for viewing. Water gets scarce, animals gather near the remaining pools and rivers, and the grass on the Mkata Floodplain opens up. That is a seasonal tendency, not a promise of sightings, and you can have a good safari outside these months.
The rains come in two phases. The long rains fall from March to May, and the short rains arrive in November and December, with some years starting in October. If you are planning a trip from the coast, compare the options for Mikumi safaris from Dar es Salaam with the season in mind, because road and track conditions change after heavy rain.
Mikumi weather by month
Morogoro: monthly figures for 2025. Highs and lows are monthly averages of the daily extremes.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33.0 °C | 21.9 °C | 175.3 mm |
| February | 33.5 °C | 22.2 °C | 8.1 mm |
| March | 32.2 °C | 22.2 °C | 253.4 mm |
| April | 30.3 °C | 21.5 °C | 205.3 mm |
| May | 29.0 °C | 20.6 °C | 87.5 mm |
| June | 28.1 °C | 17.8 °C | 27.5 mm |
| July | 27.9 °C | 16.1 °C | 3.1 mm |
| August | 28.6 °C | 15.9 °C | 1.3 mm |
| September | 30.7 °C | 17.0 °C | 0.8 mm |
| October | 32.1 °C | 19.1 °C | 19.3 mm |
| November | 33.9 °C | 20.7 °C | 35.2 mm |
| December | 33.8 °C | 21.9 °C | 129.8 mm |
Use the table as a guide to the pattern and not as a forecast for the park. The park and the mountain forests around it have their own local climate. These are figures from a single year, not long-term averages. For the year, the average daily high was 31.1 °C and the average daily low 19.7 °C. The coolest nights come in July and August, with lows near 16 °C, so bring a warm layer for early game drives. The hottest months are November, December and February, with highs of 33.5 °C and above.
Our pick: a day trip for any weather
Raincoats are available on this trip, handy in the wetter months.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mikumi safaris and day trips
Guided Mikumi safaris from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, with live prices and availability. Check the departure date against the season.
Best time to visit Mikumi
What each part of the year means for a safari.
June to October: dry season
The best-known window for wildlife. Rain is rare, with only 0.8 to 3.1 mm in the driest months of 2025, and the pools and the river become the places where animals meet. Days are warm and nights are cool.
November and December: short rains
The first showers arrive and the heat builds, with highs near 34 °C. The national weather agency expects average to above-average rain in the south of Morogoro Region from November 2026 to April 2027, with the larger share from November to January. Plan extra time on the roads.
January and February: a drier spell
These months can bring a drier spell between the two rainy phases. In 2025 February was dry, with 8.1 mm, while January was wet, with 175.3 mm. The pattern varies from year to year.
March to May: long rains
This is the wettest part of the year, with 253.4 mm in March 2025 and 205.3 mm in April. Park tracks can become impassable after rain and may need a four-wheel drive. Ask your operator how they handle a washed-out route.
Weather and your plans
Small decisions that depend on the season.
Roads and tracks
Rain can close park tracks even when the highway is fine. Driving at night outside larger towns is not advised, so plan your road day for daylight. The park gate closes at 18:00.
Getting to Mikumi →Udzungwa and the Uluguru Mountains
Mountain forests have their own climate, separate from the plain. The Lupanga trail in the Uluguru Mountains is not advisable in heavy rain.
Udzungwa Mountains →Sun and water
The hot months, November to February, call for a hat, sun protection and plenty of water in the vehicle.
Other parks
If you also plan the Rufiji area to the south, see the seasons on the Nyerere weather page. For the coast and islands, see Zanzibar weather.
Mikumi weather: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Mikumi?
Most visitors choose the dry season from June to October, when wildlife concentrates near water. The park is open all year, so the rainy months are possible too, with greener scenery and a higher chance of difficult tracks.
Is Mikumi National Park open in the rainy season?
Yes, the park is open all year. Heavy rain can make park tracks impassable, so ask your operator what they do when a route is closed.
How hot is Mikumi?
In Morogoro, the nearest town in the table, the average daily high was 31.1 °C in 2025. The hottest months were November, December and February, and the coolest nights came in July and August at around 16 °C.
When does it rain in Mikumi?
The long rains fall from March to May and the short rains in November and December. October can bring the first showers. In 2025 Morogoro recorded 946.6 mm over the year.
What should I pack for early game drives?
Bring a warm layer, because the coolest nights come in July and August at around 16 °C. In the hot months bring a hat, sun protection and plenty of water.