ub44

Hello,
I am planning a Safari in mid April (15th onwards) in Serengeti + Ngorongoro with my kids (7 to 17 years old) and I am a bit concerned about the weather.

I know this is not the best time of the year but I am sure not all is bad, anyway would love to have comments from people who really are in the know and who live there, know it by heart or have been there at this time of the year!

Here are my questions:
. What temperature should we expect during the day and in the night?
. According to your experience and specially considering the last 3 to 5 years how much rain shall we expect?
. Does it rain every day or only now and then? And is it like a 30 minutes strong tropical rain or more like a 3 hour mild rain?

It would be great to know in advance to be prepared (although it is never certain of course).

Thank you so much,
Luis

sandi

April/May are the 'long' rainy periods at lowest rates.

Many choose to travel at this time as it turns green, flowers bloom and little dust. Less tourists and vehicles and best - lowest rates.

Midday temps can be anywhere from mid-70s to 80s, nights are always cooler, but lodges/tents provide more than ample blankets and even hot-water bottles to keep the feet warm (if needed)

Rain can't really be predicted and it can be different depending exactly where located. Example can have fog/rain at the Crater, though dry in Serengeti. It's weather... ugh! It's rare to have wet daily or all day; if any can be magnificent thunderstorms that are brief and all then turns bright & sunny, otherwise morning or evening showers.
Of course with worldwide weather changes everywhere, no guarantee from year-to-year, but doesn't inhibit safari.

Roads do tend to get muddy if there has been wet, but guides are very good navigating those difficult areas.

During two of my visits during May, not a drop of rain... on another a few brief storms.

ub44

Thanks Sandi!

atravelynn

Especially now, hard to predict weather and rain. I'd be prepared for some days of rain. I'd also anticipate hours of rain at a time and not a quick tropical shower. But I just came back from Tanzania and one day it rained almost nonstop so we stayed with a mother and nearly adult cheetah son all day. Their huddling and grooming in the rain was great.

Rather than be concerned about what is coming from the sky, the concern is more about what remains on the ground. Some areas may be inaccessible. Buy you'll still see animals in the areas that are accessible. The prey species seem to relax in the rain and are less skittish.

I have not found the rains to be hot & tropical. It is more cool and damp.

You'll have few people and good prices in April. I know people who like to have the place to themselves who choose April. It would not be my own first choice, but if it's April or not all, then go and you'll have one of the best family trips ever.

atravelynn

Here's a report in April

http://www.fodors.com/community/afri...rip-report.cfm

atravelynn

Question to old timers. Who was it that was always going to the crater in April? Fantastic photos as I recall, especially of the birds. But he/they/whoever saw lots of animals too.