Spectacular Wildlife Experience

One of the biggest considerations when planning your safari and holiday in Tanzania is when to visit. A trip to the Ngorongoro Crater is not different. The good news is that unlike many safari destinations, Ngorongoro is unique as it offers spectacular game-viewing opportunities throughout the year. The wildlife stays in the crater all year round; there is no good or bad time to visit.

Since there is no ‘off-season’ in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, whenever you visit the Ngorongoro Crater, you will be guaranteed excellent game viewing. However, there are a few different factors that will affect your decision such as what you want to see on safari and how much you want to spend on your accommodations. In the short-term, seasonal climate fluctuations, migration and breeding patterns influence your choice of the best time to visit the Ngorongoro. Like most national parks, some of the resident animals are seasonal. They join the vast waves of migratory herds crossing the wider conservation area outside the crater in search of fresh forage. But, the majority remains within the crater, supplied with year-round water and pasture within its protecting caldera walls.

When to visit Ngorongoro Crater also depends on your special interests. All seasons have their advantages with some variation in the price of accommodation only. From November to December, the short rains bring hot and humid weather necessitating precautions against mosquitoes, but the crater rim is cooler. Here, warm clothes may still be necessary for early mornings and evenings. However, given that the crater floor does get busy with vehicles, it can be more pleasant to visit during the low season (mid-March to May).