National Park
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Ngorongoro Crater

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Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater, located in northern Tanzania, is the world's largest inactive volcanic caldera and one of Africa's most famous wildlife conservation areas. Formed about 2.5 million years ago, the crater spans 260 square kilometers and descends 610 meters to a lush, green floor. It's home to around 25,000 large animals, including elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, and zebras.

The Crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which balances wildlife conservation with human habitation. The Maasai people live and graze their cattle alongside the wildlife, maintaining a unique cultural heritage.

Visitors can experience game drives within the crater, providing spectacular opportunities to see the Big Five. The diverse habitats, from forests and swamps to grasslands and lakes, support an incredible array of species. Bird enthusiasts can spot flamingos on the crater lake and other birds in the Lerai Forest. Ngorongoro Crater offers a breathtaking and unique Tanzania Safari experience.

Best time to visit

The Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater is during the dry season from June to October when wildlife viewing is at its peak.

Main Attractions

Key attractions include the Big Five, the stunning views from the crater rim, the Lerai Forest, and the seasonal flamingos on Lake Magadi.

Climate

The climate is mild and temperate, with cooler temperatures at higher altitudes and varying rainfall throughout the year.

Experience

Visitors can enjoy exceptional game drives, cultural interactions with the Maasai, and breathtaking landscapes.

Let's Plan Your Safari

When To Visit Ngorongoro

The Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater is during the dry season, from June to October. During these months, wildlife is more concentrated around water sources, making for excellent game viewing. The weather is also more predictable, with fewer rain showers disrupting travel plans. However, the crater can be visited year-round, with the green season from November to May offering lush landscapes and fewer tourists, although some roads may be more challenging due to rain.

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Things To Do In Arusha

Game Drives

Game Drives

Bird Watching

Bird Watching

Cultural Visits

Cultural Visits

 Crater Rim Walks

Crater Rim Walks

 Cultural Visits

Cultural Visits

Hot Air Ballooning

Hot Air Ballooning

 Photographic Safaris

Photographic Safaris

Visit Olduvai Gorge

Visit Olduvai Gorge

Let's Plan Your Safari

The Best Tanzania Safari Tours & Packages

Let's Plan Your Safari

When To Visit Tanzania

Jan to Mar

Beaches, Calves, and Kilimanjaro Ascents

January brings ideal beach weather to Tanzania's coast and Zanzibar, perfect for enjoying soft sand and clear waters. February sees the start of the wildebeest calving season, with predators nearby. March offers excellent conditions for climbing Kilimanjaro, despite the onset of the long rains, which refresh the Ngorongoro Highlands and turn the landscape lush green.

AVG RAINFALL 101 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 101 mm
MAX TEMP 32 ℃
MIN TEMP 24 ℃

April to May

Rainy Season and Migration Movements

April is the wettest month, featuring afternoon thundershowers and occasional big storms, particularly impacting the western and southern parks with high humidity. Despite the rain, accommodations offer great value. By late May, conditions start drying, coinciding with the Great Migration's move from the southern to the western Serengeti, heralding the approach of the dry season.

AVG RAINFALL 216 mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 12 Hours
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ /
MIN TEMP 22 ℃ /

June to Aug

Dry Season and Peak Wildlife Viewing

June marks the dry season, perfect for luxury safaris as savannahs shift from green to yellow, improving wildlife sightings. The Wildebeest Migration gathers at Grumeti River. In July and August, it reaches the Serengeti's north, preparing for the dramatic Mara River crossings, attracting tourists for exceptional wildlife encounters.

AVG RAINFALL 25mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 11 Hours
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ /
MIN TEMP 19 ℃ /

Sep to Oct

Fewer Crowds, Ideal Climbing Conditions

September's low humidity and fewer mosquitoes make it ideal for climbing Kilimanjaro and observing large elephant herds in Tarangire National Park, coinciding with the start of the fishing season. October brings early rains, enhancing conditions for climbing Mount Meru in Arusha National Park.

AVG RAINFALL 38mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 12 Hours
MAX TEMP 31 ℃ /
MIN TEMP 20 ℃ /

Nov to Dec

Rainy Season, Exceptional Wildlife Viewing

November offers sporadic thundershowers, yet remains an excellent month for safaris, especially in the northern parks and less-explored areas. December, amidst short rains, becomes a prime time for birdwatching with migratory birds arriving and the Great Migration returning to the southern Serengeti's lush plains.

AVG RAINFALL 115mm
AVG DAYLIGHT 12 Hours
MAX TEMP 32 ℃ /
MIN TEMP 23 ℃ /
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