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Best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater

Excellent
Good
Mixed
Best months: January–February, June–October, December · Wet season: January–May, December · Dry season: June–November

Ngorongoro Crater in January

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures can be hot although lower than other parts of Tanzania, with occasional afternoon showers providing a unique spectacle.

  • An ideal month to visit the Crater, with very high sunshine hours, providing perfect photographic conditions.

  • Game viewing is particularly good during this, the birthing season, offering high predator activities and excitement.

  • During the green season, plants are in bloom, vegetation is thick and grasses can be long, making game viewing a little more difficult.

  • Visitor traffic can be particularly high during this time of year.

  • Enjoy exceptional birding with migratory species present and in full breeding plumage.

Ngorongoro Crater in February

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperature are relatively hot but low for Tanzania, there is plenty of sunshine with a decline in the amount of rainy afternoons.

  • An ideal month to visit the Crater, with very high sunshine hours, providing perfect photographic conditions.

  • Game viewing is particularly good during this, the birthing season, offering high predator activities and excitement.

  • During the green season, plants are in bloom, vegetation is thick and grasses can be long, making game viewing a little more difficult.

  • Visitor traffic can be particularly high during this time of year.

  • Enjoy exceptional birding with migratory species present and in full breeding plumage.

Ngorongoro Crater in March

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Temperatures are moderate to hot, with chances of prolonged rainfall.

  • Skies can remain cloudy for long periods of time, creating poor, low light conditions for photography

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • During the green season, plants are in bloom, vegetation is thick and grasses can be long, making game viewing a little more difficult.

  • The best time to visit the Crater, with low tourist traffic leading to more intimate sightings.

  • Enjoy exceptional birding with migratory species present and in full breeding plumage.

Ngorongoro Crater in April

Wet Season — a quieter time to visit

  • Temperatures are mild by Tanzanian standards, with the highest rainfall of the year over this period.

  • Skies can remain cloudy for long periods of time, creating poor, low light conditions for photography

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • During the green season, plants are in bloom, vegetation is thick and grasses can be long, making game viewing a little more difficult.

  • The best time to visit the Crater, with low tourist traffic leading to more intimate sightings.

  • Migratory birds begin to leave in search of warmer condition to the North.

Ngorongoro Crater in May

Wet Season — a good time to visit

  • Temperatures are cool but comfortable, with the end of the summer rains falling during this month.

  • Skies can remain cloudy for long periods of time, creating poor, low light conditions for photography

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • During the green season, plants are in bloom, vegetation is thick and grasses can be long, making game viewing a little more difficult.

  • The best time to visit the Crater, with low tourist traffic leading to more intimate sightings.

  • Migratory birds begin to leave in search of better conditions to the North.

Ngorongoro Crater in June

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Transition from the wet to the dry season, expect relatively low temperatures, mists, clouds and possibly rain.

  • Skies can remain cloudy for long periods of time, creating poor, low light conditions for photography

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • The end of the green season has arrived, vegetation begins to recede, improving your chances of spotting the more elusive species.

  • Visitor traffic increases greatly, causing sightings to be crowded at times.

  • Include a warm jacket in your packing list as morning game drive can get quite chilly.

Ngorongoro Crater in July

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The dry season has kicked off with cool temperatures, little rain, but still the chance of cloud and mist.Include a warm jacket in your packing list as morning game drive can get quite chilly.

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • The end of the green season has arrived, vegetation begins to recede, improving your chances of spotting the more elusive species.

  • A difficult time of year to predict light conditions with chances of cloud cover and mist, making photography unpredictable.

  • Visitor traffic is high during peak season, causing sightings to be crowded at times.

  • Include a warm jacket in your packing list as morning game drive can get quite chilly.

Ngorongoro Crater in August

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures are warm, with the chances of poor weather declining as the month wears on.

  • Mist and cloud cover are less likely as the month wears on, providing better photographic opportunities.

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • Vegetation has receded, animals remain close to the permanent water sources, improving your chances of spotting the more elusive species.

  • Visitor traffic is high during peak season, causing sightings to be crowded at times.

  • Include a warm jacket in your packing list as morning game drive can get quite chilly.

Ngorongoro Crater in September

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • The Temperatures begin to climb, rain is very unlikely and sunshine hours start to increase.

  • Mist and cloud cover are less likely and short lived, providing better photographic opportunities and game drive conditions.

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • Vegetation has receded, animals remain close to the permanent water sources, improving your chances of spotting the more elusive species.

  • Visitor traffic is high during peak season, causing sightings to be crowded at times.

  • Include a warm jacket in your packing list as morning game drive can get quite chilly.

Ngorongoro Crater in October

Dry Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures are hot and humid until the first rains of summer fall, usually towards the end of the month.

  • Mist and cloud cover are unlikely and short lived, providing better photographic opportunities and game drive conditions.

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • Vegetation is at it's most sparse, providing a great chance of spotting the more elusive species.

  • Visitor traffic drops slightly after peak season, but can still be crowded in certain sightings.

Ngorongoro Crater in November

Dry Season — a good time to visit

  • The start of the wet season is characterised by high temperatures and regular afternoon showers.

  • Clear blue skies during the day with late afternoon showers or even electrical storms, providing a dramatic backdrop for any photographer.

  • Game viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater is always good with incredible game densities.

  • Vegetation burst back into life rejuvenating the animals of the region after the hardships of the dry season.

  • Visitor traffic drops slightly after peak season, but can still be crowded in certain sightings.

Ngorongoro Crater in December

Wet Season — one of the best times to visit

  • Temperatures are comfortable, weather is sunny but expect some an afternoon shower during your safari.

  • Clear blue skies with exception of the odd late afternoon electical storm are expected, providing great photographic conditions.

  • Game viewing is particularly good during this, the birthing season, offering high predator activities and excitement.

  • This is technically the green season with vegetation at its thickest, however the Ngorongoro Crater region does not experience a severe dry season.

  • Migratory birds have returned to the region in full breeding plumage, creating a hive of activity in the tree tops.

  • Bring along some insect repellent as mosquito numbers increase with the arrival of the rains.

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