Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Serengeti in January
Little changes in Serengeti from December: highs stay near 81°F (27°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), and about 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain falls.
It scores 76/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 81°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 60°F (16°C)
- Rain
- 4.7 in (119 mm)
- Humidity
- 71%
- Cloud cover
- 68%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 07 min
- Comfort score
- 76/100 · Great
What January feels like
Highs settle around 81°F (27°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
Nights cool to an average low of 60°F (16°C).
Some rain is likely, about 4.7 in (119 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around January
January is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June & July).
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from December (74 → 76/100).
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Light, breathable clothes81°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.7 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Serengeti in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Moru Kopjes
Granite outcrops south of Seronera with rock paintings and the Maasai Gong Rock.
Why now January scores 76/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Retima Hippo Pool
Pool at the junction of the Grumeti and Seronera rivers packed with hundreds of hippos.
Why now Highs near 81°F and 4.7 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Serengeti Visitor Centre
Seronera information center with an elevated walkway and displays on the ecosystem and migration.
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge styled like a Maasai village, with sundowners over the central plains.
Nearby in January
- Maasai Mara in January~62 mi · highs 82°F, 4.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Ngorongoro in January~76 mi · highs 76°F, 5.6 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Nairobi in January~155 mi · highs 81°F, 1.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, 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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Serengeti?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 76/100 against a best of 92 in June & July. Expect highs of 81°F (27°C) and 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Serengeti in January?
Average highs are 81°F (27°C) and average lows 60°F (16°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Serengeti in January?
Some: about 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 37.5 in (953 mm).
What should I pack for Serengeti in January?
Bring light, breathable clothes (81°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.7 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Serengeti
Planning Serengeti in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.