Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Serengeti in December
Little changes in Serengeti from November: highs stay near 81°F (27°C), lows near 61°F (16°C), and about 5.3 in (134 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 74/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 81°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 61°F (16°C)
- Rain
- 5.3 in (134 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 74/100 · Good
What December feels like
Days are warm, averaging 81°F (27°C).
Lows average 61°F (16°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.3 in (134 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are June & July.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort improves from 71/100 in November to 74/100.
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 81°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.3 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Serengeti in December
With 5.3 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Lodge in the central Serengeti with an infinity pool above an elephant waterhole and a Discovery Centre.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.3 in of rain.
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge styled like a Maasai village, with sundowners over the central plains.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Seronera Valley
River valley in the central Serengeti with year-round water and dense leopard, lion and cheetah sightings.
Retima Hippo Pool
Pool at the junction of the Grumeti and Seronera rivers packed with hundreds of hippos.
Nearby in December
- Maasai Mara in December~62 mi · highs 81°F, 5.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Ngorongoro in December~76 mi · highs 75°F, 5.9 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Nairobi in December~155 mi · highs 78°F, 2.6 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,664 m to Serengeti's ~1,468 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Serengeti in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Serengeti?
It's middling, scoring 74/100. The best months are June & July, at up to 92. Expect highs of 81°F (27°C) and 5.3 in (134 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Serengeti in December?
Average highs are 81°F (27°C) and average lows 61°F (16°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Serengeti in December?
Yes: about 5.3 in (134 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 37.5 in (953 mm).
What should I pack for Serengeti in December?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 81°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.3 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Serengeti
Planning Serengeti in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.