Peak Season
December Kilimanjaro
+ Safari Guide
Peak season begins. Dry weather, concentrated wildlife, and the best conditions of the year. Christmas in the Serengeti. New Year on the summit. December is Tanzania at its finest.
Tanzania's finest month — if you plan early enough.
December marks the start of Tanzania's peak safari season. The short rains have ended. The long dry season has begun. Wildlife concentrates around permanent water. The wildebeest herds have settled in the western Serengeti (Grumeti and Lamai). Kilimanjaro is at its clearest and most accessible. December is the month when everything comes together — the only complication is that everyone else knows it too.
This guide covers December conditions on both the mountain and the safari parks, what makes this month special, which routes work best, and how to navigate the Christmas peak without disappointment. For a blog-style deep-dive on what to expect during a December combo trip, see our December Kilimanjaro and safari article.
Why December
The finest conditions of the year — if you booked early
Peak Season Wildlife Viewing
December marks the start of the long dry season — the best time for wildlife viewing in Tanzania. The landscape dries out, water sources concentrate, and animals gather around permanent water holes. The wildebeest have moved into the western Serengeti corridor (Grumeti and Lamai regions). Predator sightings remain excellent as the herds are still large. December is one of the finest months for an overall Tanzania safari.
Christmas & New Year Safari
December is the most magical time for a Tanzania safari — the landscape is golden, the wildlife is abundant, and the atmosphere is extraordinary. Christmas in the Serengeti or at the foot of Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The trade-off is demand: December is the most booked month in Tanzania. Premium camps sell out 3-6 months in advance. This is not a month for last-minute planning.
Dry Season Begins on Kili
December on Kilimanjaro signals the start of the main climbing season. The short rains have ended. Trails dry out and become more stable. The mountain is at its most accessible. Summit success rates are at their highest (80-92% depending on route). The weather is predominantly clear — the best views from the summit are more likely than in the green season months.
Best Conditions Overall
December offers the best combination of conditions across both the mountain and the safari parks. Kilimanjaro is dry and clear. The Serengeti is superb. Ngorongoro Crater is spectacular. Tarangire is excellent. This is the most consistently high-quality month for a Tanzania trip. The only caveat is the crowds — December draws visitors from around the world, and the northern circuit parks are busy.
The western Serengeti in December — wildebeest herds concentrate in the Grumeti and Lamai regions as dry season begins
The Safari
Northern Circuit in December — what to expect
Serengeti
Western Corridor / Grumeti / LamaiWildlife: Wildebeest herds concentrated, big cats, excellent predator action
Recommended safari days: 3-5 days essential
Pro tip: The western Serengeti (Grumeti and Lamai) is where the migration herds settle after the October river crossings. Large concentrations of wildebeest and zebra, excellent predator viewing as the herds graze the western plains
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Crater floorWildlife: Big Five, black rhino, flamingos on Magadi
Recommended safari days: 1-2 days
Pro tip: December Ngorongoro is spectacular — the crater floor is lush from the November rains, wildlife is abundant, and the risk of flooding is gone
Tarangire
Elephant herds, birdingWildlife: Large elephant families, 500+ bird species, dry-season concentrations
Recommended safari days: 1 day recommended
Pro tip: December elephant herds gather around the Tarangire River in large numbers. After the November birding peak, some migratory species have departed but resident birds remain in breeding plumage
The Climb
Best Kilimanjaro routes for December
Machame Route
7 DaysBest for
Most popular December route — excellent conditions
Summit success rate
December weather note
Dry season established — clear mornings, cold nights at camp. Lush hillside from November rains with excellent scenery. Summit views more likely than green season
Lemosho Route
8 DaysBest for
Best acclimatisation and highest success rate
Summit success rate
December weather note
Longest of the standard routes — best for acclimatisation. December conditions are near-perfect: dry, clear, and stable
Marangu
6 DaysBest for
Budget climbers wanting hut accommodation
Summit success rate
December weather note
December is a good month for Marangu — the huts provide shelter from the cold, and the route is dry. But it is still the lowest-success-rate route
Northern Circuit
9 DaysBest for
Those who want the most exclusive December experience
Summit success rate
December weather note
The premier December route — virtually empty trails, spectacular western approach, near-perfect weather. The Northern Circuit in December is the definitive Kilimanjaro experience
Planning
December packing — what to bring
Mountain Gear
- —Warm sleeping bag (rated -10C or below — December nights are cold)
- —Layered clothing system — warm days, freezing nights
- —Hiking boots (broken in — trails are dry but rocky)
- —Headlamp (essential for pre-dawn summit attempt)
- —Sunscreen SPF 50+ — UV intense at altitude in dry season air
- —Down jacket for summit night (temperatures -15C to -20C at Uhuru Peak)
Safari Gear
- —Binoculars (8x42 — essential for long-range wildlife viewing)
- —Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, brown, olive — no white or bright colours)
- —Long sleeves and trousers for evening game drives (mosquitoes near water)
- —Light layers — mornings are cool, afternoons warm
- —Camera with zoom lens for wildlife at distance
Documents & Logistics
- —Tanzania e-visa (apply online before departure — December is busy)
- —Yellow fever certificate if arriving from endemic country
- —Travel insurance with helicopter evacuation (essential for both Kili and safari)
- —Christmas and New Year accommodation bookings — confirm 6+ months ahead
- —Airport transfers arranged in advance — December traffic is heavy
The Climb
Kilimanjaro Route Guide
Compare Machame, Lemosho, Northern Circuit for December departures.
View Routes →
The Safari
Safari Itineraries
See our December peak season safari itineraries with visible pricing.
View Itineraries →Questions
December Kilimanjaro + Safari FAQ
Is December a good month for a Tanzania safari?
December is one of the best months for a Tanzania safari. The dry season has begun — wildlife concentrates around water sources, vegetation thins, and animal sightings become more predictable. The wildebeest are in the western Serengeti (Grumeti and Lamai), creating excellent predator action. Ngorongoro Crater is spectacular. The only trade-off is crowds — December is peak season, and the northern circuit parks are busy with holiday travellers from around the world. If you book early and plan carefully, December delivers the finest wildlife viewing of the year.
How crowded is the Serengeti in December?
December is busy — it is peak season. The Christmas and New Year period (December 20 through January 2) sees the highest visitor numbers of the year. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and even Tarangire experience significant crowds at popular sighting points. However, Tanzania is vast — with a private guide and flexible itinerary, you can still find excellent wildlife experiences away from the main crowds. The key is booking early (6+ months for December), using a boutique operator who knows the less-visited areas, and being willing to adjust your plans based on where the wildlife is.
What is the weather like on Kilimanjaro in December?
December on Kilimanjaro is dry, clear, and cold. This is the start of the best climbing season. Daytime temperatures on the trail are pleasant (15-25C depending on altitude). Nights are cold (-5 to -15C at higher camps). Summit night is freezing (-15C to -20C with wind chill). Precipitation is minimal. The main risks are: sunburn (UV is intense at altitude in the dry season), cold injury at the summit, and altitude sickness (always a risk above 3,000m). December conditions are excellent for climbing — but proper preparation for cold and altitude is essential.
How much does a December Kilimanjaro + Safari cost?
December is peak season — expect premium pricing. A Kilimanjaro + northern circuit safari combo (7-day Machame + 3-day safari) starts from $3,952 per person in early December, rising to $4,680+ for Christmas and New Year departures. Accommodation in December camps is at its highest rates of the year. The value case is strongest for early December (before December 20) when wildlife viewing is excellent but holiday surcharges have not yet peaked. If your budget is flexible, the January 2-15 window often offers excellent December-quality conditions at significantly lower rates once the holiday surge passes.
Can I climb Kilimanjaro and safari over Christmas or New Year?
Yes — but it requires early booking. Christmas and New Year are the most sought-after dates on Kilimanjaro. The best operators fill their Kilimanjaro permits (limited daily slots on the mountain) 6-9 months in advance. If you are planning a December 25 or January 1 summit attempt, you should be booking in April or May at the latest. The good news: climbing on Christmas Day itself is actually quieter on the mountain than December 27-30, which is the busiest period. New Year's Eve at altitude — watching the sunrise on January 1 over Uhuru Peak — is one of the world's great experiences.
What should I pack for a December Tanzania safari?
December requires layered clothing. Mornings and evenings are cool (particularly on early game drives, when temperatures can be 10-15C). Midday is warm to hot (25-35C). Nights on Kilimanjaro are cold, especially above 4,000m. Pack: light long-sleeve shirts and trousers (sun protection and insect protection), a warm fleece or lightweight down jacket for morning game drives and mountain evenings, waterproof jacket (short-lived afternoon showers can still occur in early December), sturdy hiking boots, and high-SPF sunscreen. The dry season means less mud than November, but dusty roads and safari vehicles mean everything gets dirty fast.
December peak season — plan now for the best camps
The finest wildlife viewing of the year. Clear Kilimanjaro skies. The Serengeti at its most spectacular. December fills months in advance — if you are serious about Christmas or New Year, the time to act is now.