When To Visit Ngorongoro Crater : Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the 8th wonder in the world known for hosting the largest intact caldera in the world, Ngorongoro Conservation Area derived its name from the word “llkorongoro” – a Maasai word meaning an age band of Maasai warriors who over powered the earlier area The Datong – who were the early occupants of the area back in 1800s.

The Datongs also overpowered their forerunner – the Hadzabe who were hunting and gathering people

Best time to visit Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an excellent year round Tanzania safari destination with the dry season being the best time of the year to visit the park. The dry season starts in June then to July, August and September and in this period you get to spot several animals.

When To Visit Ngorongoro Crater
Weather in Ngorongoro

In Brief

  • The best time to visit: June, then July, August and September
  • Peak Season: for most of the year, however from July to March there are so many people within the Crater
  • Low Season: April and May and this is when there are very few people here.
  • Best Weather Conditions: June to October since there are fewer rains
  • Worst Weather conditions: March to April since it is the peak of the wet season

BEST TIME TO VISIT NGORONGORO CRATER BY SEASON

June to October – the Dry Season

In dry season, animals are easy to see since the vegetation is not very thick and animals normally gather around various water holes and rivers which are the remaining source of water. In this season, it barely rains and it might never rain at all, also there is plenty of sunshine.

Because of little to no rain, chances of getting malaria are minimal as there are few mosquitoes. The mornings and nights are cold, so if you are going for early morning game drive, taking warm clothes with you is recommended.

In the dry season, Ngorongoro crater is crowded with tourists.

November to May – Wet Season

Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers tremendous game viewing and beautiful scenery all year round, the wet season is low season and this is attributed to the down pours received in this period of the year, When To Visit Ngorongoro Crater.

In the low season there are few tourists and accommodation rates are lower, however this period is the best time to visit for a Tanzania birding safari as there are several migratory birds in the crater and the whole area as well.

In March, April and May, there are short rains and the afternoons are always interfered with storms. March – May is the peak of the wet season.

 In this season, nights and mornings are cold that is why it is recommended to pack some warm clothes.

Dry season (June – October)

June, July, August, September and October

In the dry season, temperatures are normally approximately 19°C and 66°F on the floor of the crater, it is really sunny and the skies are clear. However short rains may start early October, it normally becomes cold in the night and may even freeze on the edge of the crater that is why you should take warm clothes with you.

Wet season (November – May)

In the wet season, it is really warmer compared to dry season however, mornings are similarly cold. Afternoon temperatures are normally about 23°C/73°F at the bottom of the crater and they normally drop to about 6°C/43°F on the edge of the crater. Occasionally, it is possible to experience some freezing temperatures.

November and December – (Short rains)

These short rains received in this period are likely to not affect your Tanzania safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area since it does not rain for the entire day, showers normally come in the afternoon. The short rains take approximately a month and may occur between the month of October and December.

When To Visit Ngorongoro Crater
Wild life in Ngorongoro

January and February

In this period, there is a dry that falls however it is really unpredictable when this will happen

March, April and MayThe Long rains’

This is the wettest period in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the rain is at its peak, however the rain won’t last the whole day. The average highest and lowest temperatures are 21°C or 70°F on the floor of the crater and 6°C or 43°F on the edge of the crater

In April and May, you could experience cooler weather.

book a gorilla trip