Events & festivals across Tanzania

Varies (wetter months)

Ngorongoro Crater

Empakaai flamingo gatherings

Periods when large flocks of flamingos gather on the highland crater lakes.

Events in Ngorongoro Crater

Seasonal (community-led)

Ngorongoro Crater

Maasai ceremonies

Traditional Maasai gatherings and rites that visitors may occasionally witness on cultural visits.

Events in Ngorongoro Crater

January to March

Serengeti

Calving season

The southern plains fill with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest births and intense predator activity.

Events in Serengeti

May to July

Serengeti

Grumeti river crossings

The western corridor sees the herds cross the Grumeti River amid waiting crocodiles.

Events in Serengeti

July to October

Serengeti

Mara river crossings

The signature migration spectacle in the north, when herds brave the Mara River.

Events in Serengeti

November to April

Serengeti

Green-season birding

Migrant birds arrive and the plains turn green, a rewarding quieter time to visit.

Events in Serengeti

February (annual)

Stone Town

Sauti za Busara

Zanzibar's most-loved music festival, filling the Old Fort with African bands, dancers and crowds over a long weekend.

Events in Stone Town

June/July (annual)

Stone Town

Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF)

East Africa's largest cultural festival, screening African cinema and staging live performances at the Old Fort.

Events in Stone Town

Varies (Islamic calendar)

Stone Town

Eid al-Fitr

The joyful end of Ramadan, celebrated across the deeply Muslim town with feasting, new clothes and family gatherings.

Events in Stone Town

Varies (Islamic calendar)

Stone Town

Maulid

Celebrations marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, observed with processions and recitations through the old town.

Events in Stone Town

Monthly (full moon)

North Zanzibar

Kendwa full-moon party

The north coast's signature beach party at Kendwa Rocks, drawing travellers for music and dancing on the sand.

Events in North Zanzibar

Varies (Islamic calendar)

North Zanzibar

Eid al-Fitr

The joyful end of Ramadan, celebrated in Nungwi's villages with feasting, new clothes and family gatherings.

Events in North Zanzibar

Varies (Islamic calendar)

North Zanzibar

Maulid

Celebrations marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, observed with recitations and processions in the northern villages.

Events in North Zanzibar

Dry-season weekends

North Zanzibar

Dhow racing season

Informal traditional sailing races off the north coast when winds and tides are favourable.

Events in North Zanzibar

July (annual)

East Zanzibar

Mwaka Kogwa

A Shirazi New Year festival centred on nearby Makunduchi, featuring ritual mock fighting, singing and a symbolic burning hut.

Events in East Zanzibar

Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb

East Zanzibar

Kitesurfing season

The windy months when Paje fills with kiters and schools run back-to-back lessons and freestyle sessions.

Events in East Zanzibar

Varies (Islamic calendar)

East Zanzibar

Eid al-Fitr

The joyful end of Ramadan, celebrated in the coastal villages with feasting, new clothes and family gatherings.

Events in East Zanzibar

Varies (Islamic calendar)

East Zanzibar

Maulid

Celebrations marking the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, observed with recitations and processions along the coast.

Events in East Zanzibar