Getting around is easier in the dry season (late June to October), and in many parks this is when animals are easier to find around water holes and rivers. Foliage is also less dense, making it easier to spot wildlife. However, as the dry season corresponds in part with the high-travel season, lodges and camps become crowded and accommodation prices are at a premium.

Apart from these general considerations, the ideal time to go on a safari depends on which parks and reserves you want to visit and what you want to see and do. Large sections of Katavi National Park, for example, are only accessible during the dry season, when vast herds of buffaloes, elephants and more jostle for space at scarce water sources. Tarangire National Park, although accessible year-round, is another park best visited during the dry season, when wildlife concentrations are far higher than at other times of the year. In the Serengeti, by contrast, wildlife concentrations are comparatively low during the dry season; it’s during the wet season that you’ll see the enormous herds of wildebeests in the park’s southeastern section, although the dry season is best for lions and other predators. For birding, the wet season is the best time in many areas. If you are timing your safari around specific events such as the Serengeti wildebeest migration, remember that seasons vary from year to year and are difficulty to accurately predict in advance.

Useful items to bring with you include binoculars; field guides; a good quality sleeping bag (for treks or budget camping safaris); mosquito repellent; rain gear and waterproofs for wet-season travel – especially for camping safaris or treks; sunglasses; camera and film; and extra contact lens solution or your prescription glasses, as the dust can be irritating. Top-end lodges and tented camps usually have mosquito nets, however you’ll often need one for budget guesthouses. For walking safaris bring lightweight, long-sleeved/-legged clothing in subdued colours, a head covering and sturdy comfortable shoes. For ultra budget safaris, it’s a good idea to bring extra food and snacks and a roll of toilet paper. In and near the parks, there’s little available, except hotel meals and perhaps a few basics, so if you’re on a tight budget, stock up on mineral water and supplies in Arusha or the nearest major centre.