End of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Serengeti in October
Little changes in Serengeti from September: highs stay near 86°F (30°C), lows near 62°F (16°C), and about 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 72/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 86°F (30°C)
- Avg low
- 62°F (16°C)
- Rain
- 2.4 in (60 mm)
- Humidity
- 56%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 03 min
- Comfort score
- 72/100 · Good
What October feels like
Afternoons run hot at about 86°F (30°C), which leaves mornings and evenings as the time for walking.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 14°C (25°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.4 in (60 mm).
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are June & July.
- Comfort slips from 76/100 in September to 72/100.
- October sits inside the Jun – Oct window our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends.
What to pack for October
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 86°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Refillable water bottleeasy to dehydrate in the heat
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 62°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Serengeti in October
Start early and take shelter at midday: the picks below pair morning outings with places to cool off.
Serengeti National Park
Tanzania's flagship park, 14,750 sq km of plains and kopjes supporting huge herds and predators.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Jun – Oct.
Retima Hippo Pool
Pool at the junction of the Grumeti and Seronera rivers packed with hundreds of hippos.
Why now October scores 72/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Hilltop lodge styled like a Maasai village, with sundowners over the central plains.
Why now A break from 86°F afternoons.
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti
Lodge in the central Serengeti with an infinity pool above an elephant waterhole and a Discovery Centre.
Why now Somewhere to sit out the hottest hours.
Nearby in October
- Maasai Mara in October~62 mi · highs 85°F, 3.0 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Ngorongoro in October~76 mi · highs 79°F, 3.1 in rain · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Nairobi in October~155 mi · highs 82°F, 2.1 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Serengeti?
It's middling, scoring 72/100. The best months are June & July, at up to 92. Expect highs of 86°F (30°C) and 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain. October is inside the Jun – Oct window our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends.
How hot is Serengeti in October?
Average highs are 86°F (30°C) and average lows 62°F (16°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Serengeti in October?
Some: about 2.4 in (60 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 37.5 in (953 mm).
What should I pack for Serengeti in October?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 86°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), refillable water bottle (easy to dehydrate in the heat), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 62°F) and packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely).
More on Serengeti
Routes in season in October
- Kenya & Tanzania Safari Jun – Oct
Planning Serengeti in October?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.