Arusha in December

Short rains ease; holiday crowds.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• JanuaryGreatShort dry spell; warm.
• FebruaryGreatHot and dry; good for the southern Serengeti calving season.
• JuneGreatDry and cool; season starts.
• JulyGreatDry; book early.

• ArushaHighs around 26 °C (79 °F), lows around 13 °C (55 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 79 °F (26 °C), lows around 55 °F (13 °C), rain on about 8 days
• Northern circuit, Tanzania · Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengetifine

  Short rains Nov–Dec are light; long rains Apr–May close some camps. Migration position changes month to month.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Holiday safari season begins

  Mid-December · Citywide

  Holiday-period demand pushes up hotel and vehicle prices alongside the dry-season peak.

• Peak safari season start

  December–February

  Southern Serengeti calving season draws safari traffic through Arusha; book lodges and vehicles early.

• Christmas big impact

  25–26 Dec · Tanzania

  Zanzibar and lodges fully booked.

Crowds · Tanzania overall

High

Prices · Tanzania overall

High

Tanzania overall: Green and showery; herds return to the south; Christmas rates on Zanzibar.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Arusha, side by side.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →