Logo The Travel Cafe Cape Town
THE NGORONGORO CRATER

- Ngorongoro Crater - 
part of the Ngorongoro Conservancy, is home to the densest population of wild animals in Africa. 

Ask for a quote now!
 
A crater floor safari is an experience you will not want to miss, and is a true bucket list experience. On game drives in the crater you are likely to glimpse all Big 5 in one day, along with cheetah, jackals, hyena and countless more species. 
Elephant herds can be seen passing through, however it is the large resident elephant bulls who will catch your attention, as the Ngorongoro bulls are some of the biggest tuskers left alive in in Africa, with their majestic ivory arcs almost scraping the floor.

This ancient volcanic crater has the largest intact caldera in the world. The crater’s width is approximately 17km on average and covers a massive 260km2. Due to its volcanic past, the soil is extremely rich in minerals and allows lush and nutritious grasses to grow. Paired with swamps and forests, this ecosystem creates the perfect habitat for nearly every species to flourish, which explains the extraordinary wildlife density. Ngorongoro is a magical destination, and it’s easy to see why the crater was chosen for many scenes from the iconic blockbuster Out of Africa, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. 

The crater is rightfully one of Africa’s most famous and popular sites, which means the downside is the number of vehicles and tourists you will encounter. This is where we at The Travel Cafe come in. By choosing your lodge carefully we will ensure you are amongst the first to gain access to the crater which you gives you an extra hour at sunrise and sunset of wide-eyed wonder, in complete peace and quiet before the typical hustle and bustle of the crater starts for the day. 
 
Aside from the world-renowned crater, the Ngorongoro Conservancy is home to many further treasures. On your extended Ngorongoro adventure, you may also wish to take the time to visit other volcanoes: Empakai, with its beautiful lake, or Olmoti, with its breath-taking waterfalls. Lake Natron, due to its volcanic mineral content, has emerged as one of the last safe havens for breeding lesser flamingos. Thousands of birds come together and create an extremely photogenic sea of pink. 

Geology and archaeology lovers will wish to head to Olduvai Gorge, where some of mankind’s earliest human fossils have been unearthed. Thanks to the fertile soil in this region, Olduvai has also been a favourite spot for many Tanzanians to settle down. Take a stroll through large coffee plantations, remnants of Tanzania’s colonial past or visit one of the several cattle farming tribes who elected to settle in this region. They are rightfully proud of their rich spiritual, artistic and cultural heritage and are just as curious about you as you are about them. We can assist to arrange an authentic and enriching cultural experience. 

Each region is unique!

Click on the different regions below to find out more about the unique beauty each offers, and when the best time is to visit.

- Best time to go to 
The Ngorongoro Crater -

Best time to go to The Ngorongoro Crater

Winter (June to September): Our favourite time at The Travel Cafe to go to the Ngorongoro Crater is during the dry season from June to September. Daytime temperatures remain very mild, and will not dip below 13°C - 17°C / 55°F - 63°F.

However, we recommend you pack warm clothes for your safaris, as dawn and dusk are the times when you will feel the cold. The downside of winter is that the Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most visited places, and naturally most people want to visit during the best season. Tourists will be flocking to the crater floor and no matter how high end your lodge; you cannot completely avoid the droves. 


Summer (January to March): January to March sees summer arrive in its full glory, making this our second favourite time to go to the Ngorongoro Crater. The average temperatures are between 24°C - 29°C / 75°F - 84°F, and rain is extremely rare. February is the calving for many species, such as wildebeest and zebra. Large herds of wildebeest congregate in the Ngorongoro Conservancy to give birth and the promise of easy prey attract all surrounding predators. 


Spring (November - December): Spring is a very underappreciated season to go to the Ngorongoro Crater. It is known as the period of short rains, but rain is mostly contained to short late afternoon showers and will not stand in the way of your safari experience. Temperatures are lovely and pleasant, and rates are lower than during high season, so this is actually a pretty good time to go. The added bonus is that most tourists will have left by September and you will get to experience a much quieter safari. 


Autumn (April - May):  Autumn is our least favourite time for a visit to the Ngorongoro National Park as it brings the long rains. While of course these rains are bitterly needed for both the flora and fauna to flourish, they will interfere with your safari and severely limit your enjoyment. Many of the roads are muddy and difficult to pass, so you may expect much bumpier rides than normal as well. However, rates are at their lowest during this low season, and the habitual hordes of tourists are conspicuously absent, so you do benefit from a much more intimate experience. 

Contact us now!

 View more itineraries to Tanzania

Share by: