What's on in Ngorongoro (Ngorongoro Crater), Tanzania through the year

Peak crowds — Festive season peak, December–January long break in Tanzania

• Nature

  Calving on the Ndutu plains

  1 Jan – 15 Mar · usuallyWildlife seasonBook early

  The herds drop most of their calves on the short-grass plains at Ndutu, in the conservation area's western corner, and the predators concentrate on them. It is the one stretch when the crater is not the reason to be here.

• Rule

  Six hours on the crater floor

  1 Jan – 31 Dec · usuallyClosures

  The descent fee is charged per vehicle and buys a single six-hour visit, so the whole day gets planned backwards from it. Gates run dawn to dusk and the Seneto descent closes in the middle of the afternoon. Source ↗

Still on: Festive season peak (18 Dec – 5 Jan (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Calving on the Ndutu plains (1 Jan – 15 Mar (usually)), Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually))

Busy — April short break in Tanzania, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  The long rains

  20 Mar – 20 May · usuallyMonsoonRisk

  The rim road turns to mud and the descent tracks get awkward. The floor stays green and nearly empty of vehicles, which is the trade you are making.

Still on: Calving on the Ndutu plains (1 Jan – 15 Mar (usually)), Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually))

Busy — April short break in Tanzania, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Cloud on the crater rim

  1 Apr – 31 Aug · usuallyFog season

  The rim sits inside cloud for days at a time and the lodges look out at grey while the floor below is often clear. It is a hard thing to explain to somebody who has just arrived for the view.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), The long rains (20 Mar – 20 May (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), The long rains (20 Mar – 20 May (usually)), Cloud on the crater rim (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually))

Peak crowds — Dry season on the floor, Mid-year break in Tanzania

• Season

  Dry season on the floor

  15 Jun – 15 Oct · usuallyCrowded

  The crater holds its game all year, so the dry months mainly add vehicles. Be at the Seneto descent when it opens or accept driving in a convoy for the rest of the morning.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Cloud on the crater rim (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually))

Peak crowds — Dry season on the floor, Mid-year break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Cloud on the crater rim (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually)), Dry season on the floor (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Dry season on the floor, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Cloud on the crater rim (1 Apr – 31 Aug (usually)), Dry season on the floor (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Dry season on the floor, September short break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Dry season on the floor (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Dry season on the floor, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), Dry season on the floor (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  The short rains

  1 Nov – 15 Dec · usuallyMonsoon

  Afternoon storms and new grass on the rim. Roads stay usable, camps are cheaper than either peak and the light in the crater after a storm is the best of the year.

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually))

Peak crowds — Festive season peak, December–January long break in Tanzania

• Holiday

  Festive season peak

  18 Dec – 5 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  Rim lodges charge festive rates and the descent queue at Seneto is at its longest. It overlaps the start of the calving at Ndutu, which is the good reason to be here anyway. Source ↗

Still on: Six hours on the crater floor (1 Jan – 31 Dec (usually)), The short rains (1 Nov – 15 Dec (usually))