East Africa in March: Weather, Crowds & What to Expect

Horn of Africa (Ethiopia’s lowlands, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea)

A sharp change in the lowlands can appear by March as the inland spring builds; parts of southern and central Somalia and eastern Ethiopia start to see the ‘Gu’ or early Belg rains. Coastal Djibouti and Eritrea remain mostly dry, though nights begin to warm; Addis may start to see occasional showers in late March when the Belg begins, making rural tracks sticky. For travelers, this is a transitional month - bring lightweight rain gear for southern lowlands and sturdy shoes for muddy paths if heading into highland fringes.

Ethiopian Highlands & Rift (Addis Ababa, Lalibela, Simien, Bale)

Late-season dryness gives way to the early Belg showers in parts of the highlands by March, with intermittent drizzle and the first verdant growth across the Rift Valley lakes. Addis and the lower highland towns usually only see light rain, but higher plateaus can begin to experience wet spells that make countryside paths slick. Travel remains straightforward for most cultural routes, but remote dirt tracks into rural parishes may become patchy - waterproof footwear is recommended.

Kenya & Northern Tanzania Savannas (Nairobi, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Amboseli, Kilimanjaro)

The long rains start to arrive across much of Kenya and northern Tanzania in March, with increasing showers turning dust to mud and creating lush grasslands across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Kilimanjaro’s lower rainforest belts become wetter, making trail sections slippery; higher slopes remain cold. For wildlife viewing, animals disperse with the rains, so expect fewer big concentrations but excellent birdlife - pack waterproofs and flexible plans if traveling this month.

Zanzibar & Tanzanian Coast (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Archipelago, Pemba, Mafia)

Late-season build-up toward the long rains can be felt in March with humidity rising and occasional thundery downpours beginning to break the dry spell; these showers are usually heavy but short. Zanzibar’s beaches remain usable between storms and the sea starts to show more plankton, which can affect dive visibility. Bring a light rain jacket and expect some boat days to be postponed if squalls develop suddenly.

Uganda, Rwanda & Lake Victoria Basin (Kampala, Entebbe, Kigali, Bwindi, Lake Victoria)

March signals the build-up to the long rains across the equatorial belt: showers become more frequent and heavy at times, especially in western Uganda and around Lake Victoria’s southern shores. Bwindi and the Virunga foothills see increasingly damp conditions, making trails slippery and muddy; gorilla treks become more physically demanding. Flights to remote airstrips can be disrupted on stormy days, so plan buffer time for internal connections.

Indian Ocean Islands (Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius, Mayotte)

A usually wet and unsettled pattern continues into March, with high humidity and frequent showers that can reduce diving visibility and occasionally force cancellations of inter-island ferries. The inner granitic islands of Seychelles often benefit from localized weather variations, providing dry pockets, while Mauritius remains warmer and more humid. For those seeking lower prices and a quieter pace, March can be workable if you accept occasional disruptions.