Serengeti in December

In December, Serengeti averages 28°C (82°F) during the day and 16°C (62°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 20 days of the month see precipitation (102 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

December offers comfortable temperatures in Serengeti, with some rain to plan around.

28°C
Avg high
16°C
Avg low
20
Rain days
102 mm
Rainfall

How December compares to the rest of the year in Serengeti

11th
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
15%
of yearly rainfall falls in December
12 h 15 min
daylight on the 15th

December is one of the coolest months in Serengeti (11th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (29°C). December runs 1°C cooler than November (29°C) and stays flat into January.

December sunrise & sunset in Serengeti

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:28 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:43 PM
Day length
12 h 15 min

Times shown for Serengeti local time (Africa/Dar_es_Salaam), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Serengeti — December

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Serengeti's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:28 AM – 6:08 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:08 AM – 7:08 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:03 PM – 7:03 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:03 PM – 7:43 PM

📅 When to book — Serengeti in December

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on December's tier (Shoulder) and Serengeti's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — December in Serengeti

Shoulder

Serengeti is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — December in Serengeti

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.9
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●●
Severe
Severe mosquito season with active disease transmission risk. DEET 30%+, picaridin 20%, long sleeves day and night, treated nets, and check CDC/WHO travel advisories before going.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Serengeti in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 28°C / 83°F 17°C / 62°F 65 mm 19
February 29°C / 85°F 17°C / 63°F 55 mm 16
March 29°C / 85°F 17°C / 63°F 85 mm 19
April 28°C / 82°F 17°C / 62°F 125 mm 23
May 28°C / 82°F 16°C / 62°F 29 mm 15
June 28°C / 82°F 16°C / 61°F 14 mm 9
July 28°C / 83°F 15°C / 60°F 5 mm 5
August 29°C / 84°F 16°C / 61°F 12 mm 9
September 30°C / 86°F 17°C / 62°F 24 mm 10
October 31°C / 87°F 17°C / 63°F 44 mm 14
November 29°C / 84°F 17°C / 62°F 121 mm 21
December 28°C / 82°F 16°C / 62°F 102 mm 20

Other cities with similar December weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Serengeti in December →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Serengeti in December?

In December, Serengeti averages a high of 28°C (82°F) and a low of 16°C (62°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Serengeti in December?

December is quite rainy in Serengeti, with about 20 rainy days on average.

Is December a good time to visit Serengeti?

December is warm but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Serengeti in December?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full December packing list for Serengeti for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Serengeti on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.