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Ngorongoro Crater

Best Time to Visit

796 Ngorongoro Safaris

Expert

By Philip Briggs

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Wildlife viewing inside the Ngorongoro Crater is superb at all times. However, grass on the crater floor is short in the Dry season (June through September) and this makes animal spotting easier. The scenery is lush and spectacular in the Wet season months (from November to May).

Best Time June to September (General wildlife viewing is best)

High Season Most of the year – July to March (The Ngorongoro Crater will have crowds of visitors)

Low Season April and May (The only time when the crater has few crowds)

Best Weather June to October (Rainfall is little to none)

Worst Weather March and April (Peak of Wet season)

June to October –Dry Season

Wildlife is easier to spot since the grass is shorter in the Dry season
Rain is little to none and sunshine is abundant
Chances of contracting malaria are slimmer, as there are fewer mosquitoes
The Ngorongoro crater gets very crowded
Mornings and nights get very cold

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (19)

+17 Photos

November to May –Wet Season

Ngorongoro Crater offers excellent wildlife viewing, even in the Wet season
The scenery is green and beautiful
Low season occurs in April and May – tourists are fewer, and there may be better rates
Birding is in its prime due to the presence of migratory birds
Except for in March, April and May, rains are mostly short afternoon storms and seldom interfere with your trip
March to May is the peak of the Wet season
It is cold during the nights and mornings, so it is important to pack warm clothing