WEATHER AND CLIMANTE

	WEATHER AND CLIMATE
	Tanzania lies so close to the equator that seasonal variations in temperature are not extreme. The elevation in the north is such that it doesn't ever get too hot. While the weather is best between June and September, don't plan on seeing any animals in the Serengeti - they will have migrated to Kenya. September-March is a good time to go, but avoid April and May, when the weather is at its rainiest. As you approach the top of Kilimanjaro, temperatures can be well below freezing year-round, especially at night. Many of the northern wildlife reserves are about 10 degrees F/5 degrees C cooler year-round than elsewhere. Take along a heavy sweater and a windbreaker or jacket. Owing to the country's widely varying topography, Tanzania's climate displays great range of regional differences. The Climate along the coast: Coastal Region, Dar es Salaam, Limdi, Mtwara and Tanga, and the off-shore Islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Unguja is tropical with relatively high humidity. The average temperature, which is moderated by the sea breeze, especially on the islands, ranges between 27 and 29 degree celcius. In the Central, Northern and Western: Around Mwanza Kagera, Kigoma, Shinyanga and Tabora, the climate is modified by highland plateau; low humidity with temperatures ranging between 20 and 27 degree celcius during the cooler months of June and August. The temperature can reach as high as 30 degree celcius and higher between the months of December and March. Northeast and Southwest: In the mountainous areas of the Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Mara region and Mbeya, Rukwa, Iringa and Ruvuma, and Makonde Plateau (Newalla, Masasi, Nachingwea and Tunduru), the temperature occasionally drops below 15 degree celcius at night during the months of June and July. In the area around Rungwe mountains the temperature can reach as low as 8 or 6 degree celcius. Central: A large part of central regions (Dodoma and Singida) is semi-arid, receiving less that 500mm of rain annually. In contrast, the mountainous area in the north-east and south-west receive over 2000mm of rain annually. Along the coast (Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Lindi, Mtwara and Coastal Region) rainfall ranges between 1000 and 1900 mm. General: There are two rain seasons throughout the country: the long season from mid March through May, the short rain seasons falls during November, December, and January. The coolest months are from June to September, and the warmest are December to March.