When is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater?

The Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera and home to one of the highest densities of wildlife on the planet. The best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater is during the dry season (June to October), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is minimal, and wildlife is abundant. However, it is a busy time when high season prices apply.

If you have flexibility with your travel dates, the shoulder season (January, March, mid-June and early November) and the low season (March to May) are a great time to visit when fewer people are on the crater floor. However, the likelihood of rainfall is higher at these times of the year, particularly during the low season when daily rain can occur. Nonetheless, wildlife spotting remains excellent year-round.

The following sections tell you more about the seasons and when is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater.

When is the low season in the Ngorongoro Crater?

The low season in the Ngorongoro Crater typically occurs during the long rains, which last from mid-March until May. Tanzania’s proximity to the equator creates a tropical climate with two rainy and dry seasons, affecting the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater.

During the long rains, prices and visitor numbers are lower. However, heavy rainfall can occur daily, transpiring in dramatic thunderstorms. If you don’t mind the rain and are okay with adapting plans in case very heavy rainfall occurs, you can still enjoy a fantastic experience spotting wildlife in the crater – thanks mainly to the high concentration of resident wildlife, including the Big Five.

When is the high season in the Ngorongoro Crater?

The high season in the Ngorongoro Crater occurs during the dry season, which runs from June to October. This is also the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. The weather is ideal, and wildlife sightings are at their best. However, due to increased demand, peak prices apply during this high season, and booking up to a year in advance is recommended.

If you prefer to visit during a quieter time of year, you could consider visiting during the shoulder seasons. These periods occur from

• November to mid-December when the short rains transpire in passing afternoon storms,
• from January to mid-March, which is a brief dry period,
• and mid-June, which marks the start of the dry season.

Two of our favourite safaris visiting the Ngorongoro Crater:

How to plan a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania is an excellent destination for an authentic safari, especially on the northern safari circuit, which includes impressive places like Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, and Tarangire National Park.

However, with so many safari companies online, choosing one can be a daunting task. If you’re considering working with us at Tanzania-Experience, you could start by reading our reviews and then talk to one of our country experts for a no-obligation conversation. In a short time, you’ll receive enough information to take the next step of turning your dream safari into a reality.

The best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater: a month-by-month guide

January in the Ngorongoro Crater: the short dry season & shoulder season

In northern Tanzania, January is the start of a short dry season that lasts until mid-March. This season is considered the shoulder season and receives fewer visitors. While temperatures increase in Tanzania from January to February due to the high altitude of the crater, they remain comfortable.

The dry weather, reduced number of visitors and slightly lower prices make January an excellent month to visit the Ngorongoro Crater.

February in the Ngorongoro Crater: the short dry season & high season

February marks the second month of the short dry season, making it a great time to visit the crater. However, it’s once again the high season due to a remarkable natural event that occurs in northern Tanzania at this time.

In January, thousands of wildebeests gather on the lush grasslands of the southern Serengeti National Park. As days pass, they form mega-herds and start to give birth to their young. Around 500,000 calves are born in a matter of weeks, and February is the best month to witness this incredible natural spectacle.

Due to the increased visitor numbers in the area, the crater will also be busier in February.

March in the Ngorongoro Crater: the rainy season & shoulder season   

March is traditionally considered the start of the long rainy season in Tanzania. However, this season is becoming harder to predict due to changing weather patterns. In recent years, the weather at the beginning of March tends to mimic weather patterns in January and February, which feature hot, dry weather with the chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

These dry conditions and fewer visitors make March a good month to visit the Ngorongoro Crater. Moreover, March is considered the shoulder season when prices are slightly lower.

April and May in the Ngorongoro Crater: the rainy season & low season

The long rainy season in northern Tanzania usually occurs from April to May. During these months, the trade winds carry heavy, moist air inland, resulting in almost daily rainfall. When it rains, it can occur in the form of heavy thunderstorms. The impact of the long rainy season is a decrease in visitor numbers, leading to lower prices and a low tourism season.

However, if you enjoy spending time in nature with fewer people around and are flexible when the day’s plans change due to heavy rainfall, then April and May can be good months to leave the world behind.

June in the Ngorongoro Crater: the dry season & shoulder season

June marks the beginning of the dry season in Tanzania, making it the ideal time to visit for a safari, beach retreat, or mountain trek. It’s also a perfect month to visit the Ngorongoro Crater, as the long rains have turned the landscapes into hundreds of shades of green.

Despite June being the coolest month of the year, mild temperatures continue to ensue thanks to the tropical climate. Fewer visitors in June result in another shoulder season.

June is also a great time to visit the neighbouring Serengeti National Park because you can witness large herds of wildebeest arriving in the western corridor, where they encounter the first significant challenge on their 1000km journey – crossing the Grumeti River. It’s truly an incredible spectacle to witness.

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July in the Ngorongoro Crater: the dry season & high season

July is the second dry season month and an excellent time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater. The weather in July is ideal for wildlife viewing, and the landscapes turn from green to gold, which is a beautiful sight to behold.

However, it can get quite busy during this month. In the Serengeti National Park, the wildebeest will arrive in the park’s northern section. Here, they will have to cross the wider and more dangerous Mara River, which is home to giant Nile crocodiles. It is also holiday time for many in the Northern hemisphere and a popular travel month for visitors from around the world.

Due to the Serengeti’s proximity to the Ngorongoro Crater, many visitors combine a safari to both areas. This means, if it’s busy in the Serengeti, it is likely busy in the Crater as well.

August in the Ngorongoro Crater: the dry season & high season

August marks the third month of the dry season in the Ngorongoro Crater when the weather and the temperatures are perfect. It is an ideal time to visit the crater as the sparse vegetation and permanent water sources attract a high concentration of wildlife. This makes August an excellent month for wildlife viewing.

September in the Ngorongoro Crater: the dry season & high season

September is a great time to visit Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, as it offers perfect conditions for spotting wildlife. However, like the other dry season months, it is a busy month when peak prices apply. By September, the wildebeest in the Serengeti National Park will have crossed the border into Kenya.

October in the Ngorongoro Crater: the dry season & high season

October marks the end of the dry season in the Ngorongoro Crater and is an exciting time to visit. The wildlife will have gone through five months without rainfall, making it a challenging period for them. However, there is hope that the short rains will arrive in November and kickstart the annual life cycle again.

For the big cats of Ngorongoro, it is a time of abundance as they can prey on the weak and young, giving visitors a higher chance of witnessing a hunt. October is the final month of the high season, with high visitor numbers.

November in the Ngorongoro Crater: the short rains & shoulder season

November marks the beginning of the short rains in Tanzania when unpredictable downpours provide much-needed relief to the parched landscapes. Witnessing the end of the dry season is an incredible experience, as you can almost sense the relief from the land and its wildlife. The rains typically arrive in afternoon thunderstorms, which should not affect morning game drives. It is the shoulder season with fewer visitors and slightly lower prices.

In northern Tanzania, a sudden growth of grass triggers the wildebeest in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to turn south and move into the Serengeti National Park, where they must cross the Mara River for the second time.

December in the Ngorongoro Crater: the short rains & high season

During December, the wildebeests migrate to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As the number of prey increases, the likelihood of witnessing a hunt also increases. There is still a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, but the advantage of the rainfall is that the green landscapes, combined with clear skies, create excellent conditions for photography.

From mid-December, the short rains start to subside, making it an ideal time to spend Christmas in the heart of nature and to disconnect from the world.

When is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater? Conclusion

No matter when you visit, the Ngorongoro Crater offers a remarkable safari experience. From the abundance of wildlife during the dry season to the lush, rejuvenated landscapes during the rainy months, each season has its unique charm.

While the dry season (June to October) is ideal for wildlife viewing, the shoulder and low seasons also provide incredible opportunities, especially for those who prefer fewer other tourists around and more affordable rates.

Are you ready to experience the incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater? Whether you plan to visit during the bustling high season or prefer the serenity of the quieter months, we at Tanzania-Experience are here to help you craft the perfect safari.

Contact us today to start planning your unforgettable adventure to one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders!