Ngorongoro Crater

Credit: Kusini Camp

Ngorongoro Crater has a temperate climate characterised by rather chilly nights throughout the year but January is one of the warmest months, with an average daily maximum of 23°C and average minimum of 10°C. January generally marks the end of the so-called short rains, so it shouldn’t be all that wet, but the landscape retains a lush green appearance and the air tends to be crisp and clear. Ample resident mammal populations in the crater are further boosted by migrant herds of wildebeest as they disperse into the south of the Serengeti-Ngorongoro ecosystem, and the month also offers top notch bird watching thanks to the presence of large numbers of Palaearctic migrants and the tendency for many resident birds to display colourful breeding plumages during the rains.

As with January, February is one of the warmest months in this temperate destination, with an average daily maximum of 23°C, but night time temperatures typically drop around 10°C on the crater rim, so be prepared for cool evenings. February is the main cusp month between the so-called short rains and long rains, so rainfall is relatively low (the monthly average is 55m) but the landscape is lush and green. February is also the main calving season for the million-plus wildebeest that congregate in Serengeti-Ngorongoro border area at this time of year, and event that is not only spectacular in itself but that also tends to attract high concentrations of large predators (lion, spotted hyena and cheetah). Birdwatching is excellent to the presence of large numbers of Palaearctic migrants. For those combining a safari with a Kilimanjaro climb, February is one of the best times to tackle the great mountain. The one drawback of visiting in February is that this combination of positive factors attracts a high influx of tourists and corresponding volume of safari vehicles in the crater floor.

March is a relatively warm month in Ngorongoro, and one of the wettest. The average daily maximum is 22°C, night time temperatures on the crater rim typically drop to around 10°C, and the average annual rainfall is 135mm, though this tends to fall mostly in stormy bursts rather than long bouts of drizzle. The crater floor is lovely and green at this time of year, and there is plenty of wildlife around, not only on the carter floor itself, but also in the more westerly Serengeti border area, where the wildebeest migration is still concentrated in the immediate aftermath of the main calving season. For birders, most of the Palaearctic migrants are present, and many resident species are sporting colourful breeding plumages. Tourist volumes tend be slightly down from February, partly because the calving is over, partly because the monsoon season usually hits Zanzibar – the region’s most popular beach destination – in late March.

April is the wettest month in most parts of Tanzania, and Ngorongoro is no exception, with the crater rim receiving an average monthly rainfall of 220mm. This has no direct effect on wildlife viewing – on the contrary, wildlife populations within the crater are very high in April – but it does mean that a significant proportion of game drives are likely to be partly rained. Taking other parts of the country into account, April is also the peak of the monsoon season on Zanzibar and the coast, and the worst possible month for Kilimanjaro climbs. On a brighter note, at least for those who’ve no intention of climbing Kilimanjaro or exploring the coast, this weight of negative factors mean that tourist numbers on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit tend to bottom out in April, which makes it an excellent time to experience Ngorongoro and the Serengeti at their least crowded.

The long rains that peak in April usually continue into early to mid-May, but overall it tends to be a lot dryer that the two months that preceded it. Wildlife viewing is usually excellent, and the scenery is lovely and green, though the wildebeest that amass in the west of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area usually start to head northwest and deeper into the Serengeti at some point before the start of June. That said, for those whose visit to Tanzania is all about the northern safari circuit, May is a pretty good choice, as it tends to be very uncrowded, many hotels and lodges offer discounted rates.

June is arguably the optimum month to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The long rains should be over, but the scenery will still be green and lush, and the safari circuit remains relatively uncrowded, as peak tourist season only starts to kick in towards the end of the month or into July. Looking further afield, it is also a good month for Zanzibar beach holidays and Kilimanjaro climbs, and for catching the Serengeti migration as it moves northwest towards the Grumeti River. There are no real negatives other than that the crater rim will be pretty chilly (average daily maximum 19°C and nightly minimum 8°C) and the avian variety is relatively low.

July is a good month to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The long rains will be a distant memory, but the crater shouldn’t have dried out completely, and wildlife is prolific as ever. Further afield, July is also a good month for Zanzibar beach holidays and Kilimanjaro climbs, as well as for optimistic travellers hoping to catch the dramatic Grumeti river crossing as the Serengeti wildebeest march northward through the Western Corridor. Those hoping for an uncrowded safari should be aware that July usually marks the start of the high season in northern Tanzania. Together with June, it is the chilliest month on the crater rim (average daily maximum 19°C and nightly minimum 8°C) but this shouldn’t be a deterrent – just bring plenty of warm clothing.

August is one of the driest months in Ngorongoro Crater, and with the long rains having ended two to three months ago, the landscape will be looking parched, yellow and dusty. This makes it easier to see predators on the open plains, so it is great for wildlife spotting, but the hazy skies and starker scenery tends to be less rewarding than wetter time of year for photography. It is also peak safari season, with the wildebeest migration now dispersed along the Mara river in the northern Serengeti and plenty of wildlife activity in Tarangire National Park, whilst also being popular for Zanzibar beach holidays, so things tend to be quite crowded. August is the one of the chilliest months on the crater rim (average daily maximum 20°C and nightly minimum 8°C) so bring plenty of warm clothing.

The dry season that started in May or June should continue into August, leaving parts of the crater floor looking like a dust bowl and the remaining grassland all parched and yellow. The low vegetation is great for spotting animals, with predators being at their most conspicuous, and wildlife tends to congregate close to the few remaining sources of drinking water. This is peak safari season in northern Tanzania – as is the case in August, the wildebeest migration will be concentrated around the Mara river in the northern Serengeti and there’s plenty of wildlife activity in Tarangire National Park – as well as popular for Zanzibar beach holidays, so things tend to be quite crowded. The crater rim is quite chilly in September (average daily maximum 21°C and nightly minimum 8°C) so bring plenty of warm clothing.

October is a month of transition in Ngorongoro Crater. The start of the month is the height of the long dry season, and much of the crater floor resembles a barren dust bowl of fine volcanic soil, while what grass remains will be low and yellowing, making it easy to spot larger predators, while grazers tend to congregate close to the few remaining sources of drinking water. The first of the short rains usually fall towards the end of October, providing welcome alleviation to the dryness, but unlikely impact negatively on tourist activities. October is peak safari season in northern Tanzania, with the wildebeest migration usually concentrated in the northern Serengeti at the start of the month but starting to travel south once the rains arrive. For those including nearby Tarangire National Park on their activity, wildlife numbers here generally peak in October. Ngorongoro tends to be quite crowded during this time. The crater rim is warms up a bit in October (average daily maximum 22°C and nightly minimum 9°C) so you should still bring plenty of warm clothing.

Ngorongoro Crater tends to be relatively warm and wet in November, with an average daily maximum temperature of 22°C, a nightly minimum of 10°C, and around 110mm of rainfall. These short rains are usually not so heavy as to have a negative impact on tourism, and they create an spring-like aura of regeneration to the landscape following the long dry season. Wildlife is plentiful, with the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra pouring into the Serengeti-Ngorongoro border area after spending the dry season further north, and many animals start breeding at this time of year. For birders, the first of the Palaearctic migrants usually arrive in November. Further afield, November isn’t the greatest month for a beach holiday on Zanzibar or for climbing Kilimanjaro, so Ngorongoro tends to be less crowded than average.

The short rains that started in October continue into December, which is actually the third wettest month in Ngorongoro, receiving an average annual rainfall of 135mm. It is also relatively warm, with average daily temperatures ranging from a minimum of 10°C to a maximum of 22°C. Coming after the long dry season, the rain tends to feel rejuvenated, lending a fresh spring-like feel to the crater and initiating plenty of breeding activity among mammals and birds alike. Wildlife is plentiful, with the migrating herds now concentrated in the Serengeti-Ngorongoro border area, and the influx of Palaearctic migrants is delightful for birders.