The best months to visit Ngorongoro Crater are Jun – Oct, Dec – Feb. Dry seasons for best game viewing.
Quick facts
When to go
The world's largest intact volcanic caldera: 25,000 animals including the Big Five enclosed in a natural amphitheatre of staggering scale and primal beauty.
Jun – Oct, Dec – Feb is the busiest window in Ngorongoro Crater, so accommodation and flights go first. Book ahead. The shoulder weeks either side are usually quieter for the same reason.
Getting Around in Ngorongoro Crater
- All crater visits require a registered safari vehicle with an approved guide: no self-drive into the crater
- The crater descent road is steep and unpaved: 4WD vehicles only, maintained by NCAA
- Ngorongoro is a 3-4 hour drive from Arusha, typically visited as part of a multi-day safari circuit
For month-by-month detail, itineraries and costs, see the full Ngorongoro Crater travel guide.
Timezone: EAT (UTC+3) (No DST)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater?
The best months to visit Ngorongoro Crater are Jun – Oct, Dec – Feb (Dry seasons for best game viewing), which makes for the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing and getting around. For what a trip costs day to day, see the Ngorongoro Crater budget breakdown.
