The Forum has helped me in pinning down the 11 day (9 full days in the bush) private safari from Arusha) staying at Dunia.& Oliver's Camps and some nice lodges starting with Tulip, Plantation, etc. My wife and I are New Yorkers raised on Air Conditioning and with the very early morning and very late afternoon into evening drives of near 3 hours we will be back at the Camps/Lodges from about 10:30AM-3:30PM which in Feb. according to the average temperature charts we can expect 90 degrees without A/C and at the lodges ceiling fans but not so at the Camps. Though the lodges have pools I am not sure one should be out for more than an hour in that intense sun when it is 90+.
But not to go and experience at leat 3-4 or more nights in tents would limit the pleasure we feel of being "really into the full experience". Though we have traveled the past few years in Asia with high temps (95) and 60+ % humidity we were on the go seeing sights of great interest and then most often returning to our guides Air Conditioned car/van.
All that said how do folks like us cope.The answer is not to go. I am sure many reading this can relate to our concern. HELP!! .

There were some days/nights where I was so uncomfortable in tents/lodges, I vowed never to be without climate control again. This includes going from freezing (spending half the night shivering) to sweltering. The memories have faded, and I have since relented a little, but potential discomfort is a real concern of mine.

I am now very careful in my choice of both accommodations and the weather.

Humidity is the killer which you shouldn't have to worry about. Damp flannel or a small water bottle with a pump spray to cool down the face helps. Don't get over heated on the drive, by that I mean try not to sit in the direct sun if you can help it, wear a hat and drink a lot of water. You can buy neck bandannas which can be immersed in water, and then they get really cool. Put that around your neck … works a treat.

I haven't had to use any of those things on safari as the heat passes so quickly and it is cool at night, however, I regularly have to use those tricks here in Australia's heat.

Often there is a breeze and the tents are normally positioned in shade. I've always had access to cold drinks even when electricity has been an issue … how do they manage. So just avoid over heating and you will probably acclimatise very quickly.

If a pool is available you can do short water dunks, you don't need to stay out in the water for hours on end.

My concerns are similar as I pack to leave next week. Am taking along one of those bandannas and a wide brimmed hat. Here on the west coast of Canada our spring has been very slow in arriving so I'm basically going from very cool temps to what I imagine will be pretty hot temps...but this would never stop me from going.

weather2travel.com Climate guide

Humidity is the biggest problem

can get stifling at night and very rainy

if you choose the wrong month.

Climate control for good sleep is a must for me

in those sweltering months.

So far it is not encouraging but I am confused. Is the humidity above 30% +/- at night in the Serengeti region for that basically is where we will be within 100+ miles or so.

From a fellow New Yorker, I too am addicted to a/c, and while this is an absolute "must" when out on the coast where it's always hot and humid, the mainlaind is often just hot.

You don't mention (or I can't recall) who your tour outfitter is, but most safari vehicles nowadays have a/c which is great traveling from area to area. Of course, the a/c gets turned off when at sightings and windows and top open for photo taking.

Mid-day if/when back at your camp, some might have floor/standing fans, so check; and if some nights don't cool down sufficients, these will help then. Be aware though that even when you see the entire Serengeti spread out in front of you, many areas are actually at hi-altitude*, and should be reasonably comfortable mid-day.

* We know Ngorongoro is at 7,000+ ft and cool to cold at night, but some areas in the Serengeti can likewise be at 5,000+ft.

As I remember, when trip reports presented by those who traveled during this period, while some might have mentioned the mid-day heat, no one said it was so terrible that it spoiled the total experience.

The only properties that do have a/c are those on the private Grumeti Reserve/Singita, but then when staying here you "pay" at $1-$2,000/person nt.

Midday, even in NYC during 90+/degree temps (often w/ humidity), if out in any of the many wonderful parks, my delicate body is fine under a shade tree with a good book or for a quick nap... as I'm sure you'll be when on safari.

A little sweat it good!

We have travelled to Tanz 3 times in Feb & I have no memories of being unbearably uncomfortable. The nights were always cool enough to sleep. In the mornings you will need a fleece & I like a windbreaker as well but I am a whimp! You will be fine. Remember sunscreen ( I would put the first batch on before we headed out in the morning when it was still dark so I didn't forget when the sun came up) Good sunhat. A lightweight longsleeved shirt is also great. I am a red head so especially aware of the sun as it fries me if I allow it.
Have an amazing trip

In Feb. I found the tented camp extremely hot, 104 degrees F and rising in the afternoon. Cold shower helped. Cooled off well at night. Preferred Ndutu Lodge because the stone cottage did not get as hot. I certainly enjoyed the two swimming pools, Seronera Wildlife Lodge and Lake Manyara Serena. What a treat after the heat!

StanKase I can relate to your concerns very well. We leave from Canada's east coast next weekend. Although we're quite used to weather extremes I also have concerns about heat, sun intensity and humidity. I can handle cooler temperatures much better. Having vitiligo (no skin pigment for protection) I'm most concerned about the intensity of the sun. While I frequently apply sun protection cream (SPF 100) more than is suggested it's still a concern. A dip in the pool is only possible when the sun has gone down. I guess cool showers are the answer!

I'm hoping the vehicles have a closed roof. We used body coolers around our necks while in SE Asia and they did help a little but only for an hour or so. Drinking lots of water helps too. The heat in Cambodia and southern Thailand was oppressive and I'm wondering if I have to face it again in Tanzania. We're headed for the south ... Ruaha National Parks and the Selous Game Reserve and both camps have fans in their tents. Even though I've checked on several weather sites and read the forum posts, I'm not sure what to expect. It seems most posters are more familiar with the Serengeti area. But I'm still really looking forward to safari!

Taking the body cooler idea from NLspirit, just keep a wet towel around your neck and/or head. It chagrinned me to use bottled water to keep the towel wet, but if that is the only source of H2O, then it's what ya gotta do and you can use the water sparingly. Keeps you nice and cool. And remember you'll be moving around in an open vehicle. Think convertible or motorcycle in the summer.

I understand your concern because I have a similar concern at the other end of the thermometer. I worry about being cold and miserable, especially cold, WET, and miserable with no way of warming up.

Back to you and the heat. Ask your operator to provide you each with a kitenga (chitenga) upon arrival and add it to the cost of your trip. They cost just a few dollars and are a large piece of cloth that can be wetted and wrapped around your body to stay cool in the tent. Some camps provide one like a towel, a practice I've seen in Southern Africa.

Many African women wear these or a variation of them and some men wear can be seen wearing a similar wrap-around garment, though the local people wear dry ones.

Ask your travel company for references of others who have traveled at the same time of year and ask them how they handled the heat.

Bring a small spray bottle. If it's empty, no problem in your carryon, even over 3 oz. You can also get a battery operated mini-fan.

The kitenga can come home with you as a souvenir. I still have mine.

I was just looking up kitenga and it stated men never wear them. But men do drape fabric around themselves. Just goes to show, even in Africa, I am not much for fashion or distinguishing between styles of clothing.

NLSpirit, I just read your concerns more carefully. Vehicles in Ruaha and Selous are more likely to be open. Your best bet is light weight long sleeved shirts and trousers. You can even wear white gloves to protect your hands. These can be bought at drug stores. Certainly discuss these concerns with your travel company. You might be able to get a closed vehicle, especially if you are driving to Ruaha or Selous rather than flying there. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for this atravelynn. I wear long sleeved light weight shirts (love Exofficio) and pants, and I've bought gloves for this trip. So ... if you see someone strolling along a beach sometime, fully clothed with a large brimmed hat and gloves you'll know it's me! It looks crazy I know but there it is. There are lots whose challenges are far greater.

Thanks for the suggestion regarding the closed vehicle. We're flying from Dar into Ruaha first and then from Ruaha we fly to Selous. I honestly didn't think to ask our safari operator assuming the vehicles were all closed! I guess one should never assume anything. I'll email my operator now and check to see if the vehicles are closed. Thanks again!

While the heat and humidity really kicked my butt when in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Burma, Cambodia), it wasn't near as brutal when on Zanzibar. And, certainly not anyway near when on the mainland during safari (just rather warm/hot but mostly dry).

lynn - convertible and/or motorcycle is spot on, as I was in red one of the former 2/weeks ago and it was oh so nice, loved it!

Thanks sandi. It helps to know it won't be as bad as SE Asia. Siem Reap, Bangkok and Koh Samui, in particular, were just awful.

We'll be in Zanzibar for 4 nights following safari. Our room will have air con and now it sounds as if I'll be able to enjoy reading on the verandah too. Great stuff!

Thanks for your help.

Siem Reap was the worst for a city-type sightseeing environment; Bangkok was next with ungodly heat/humidity. But the one place I thought I'd enjoy, the beach/sun person that I am... that at Phuket... wrong! It took not even 10/min that I had to leave, find a shade tree near pool to read. When sightseeing, wearing only shorts/t-shirts, we were always wet thru to our wears and nothing dried even in a/c rooms. Pool water everywhere was warm as bathtubs.

Don't anyone get me wrong... it was a wonderful and amazing holiday - the sights, people, culture - but I will never forget the brutal weather!

Someone asked our route and it is what they refer vto ass the Northern Circuit out of Arusha to the Lake Mayana (spelling?)Crater,Serengeti etc.Also, I am unclear as to the humidity. I would have thought the desert environment would be 10-15% since the rainy season begings in March and goes through May and we are going mid-Feb. I have been in Arizona in 80++ degree temps and higher and 10% humidity and not been uncomfortable except when in the diret sun. From those who have done the route in Jan.-Feb. is the humidity an issue also?

We did the northern route one January and I don't recall heat or humidity being a problem. We slept under blankets at night and started every morning game drive in jackets. Don't recall ever needing or wanting a fan in the tents, let alone a/c. Only one spot in southern Tanzania one other January where heat was a minor problem at night -- Sand Rivers in the extreme south. We had a spritz bottle and would fill it with cool water. The overhead fan evaporating the water mist off of our skin kept us cool enough to sleep.

Don't worry....be happy....have fun.

NLspirit, We did Ruaha and Selous last year. The vehicles were open "sided", but all have sun shade roofs. Have a look at my photos. You can see the ones from our camps - Jongomero, Selous Safari, Mwagusi. Take a big hat and a light weight shirt for sun protection in the afternoon when the sun starts to set and drops below the sun shade of the vehicle.

TC, are 8 nights, divided between 2 camps, too much for Selous?