The best period to be in Ngorongoro is the dry season

Best time to travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Best time to travel to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site found in the northern safari circuit of Tanzania, 180 kilometers from Arusha town, the beginning spot of tours to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and other destinations in the northern safari circuit.

Ngorongoro conservation area deriving its name from ngorongoro crater a large volcano caldera covers an area of 8,292 square kilometers, this area is a great habitant for a high population of wildlife such as black rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, hippopotamus, blue wildebeest, grants zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, waterbucks, lion, giraffe, impala, topi, east African wild dog, African leopard, spotted hyenas, jackals, hartebeest, servals, blue monkey, and many more.

Climate in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Conservation Area receives climatic conditions with two seasons that is dry season and the wet season. These seasons greatly determine the perfect time for a tourist to Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a safari and get an amazing experience.

The season experienced over a period of time acts as a basis for the amount of wildlife you are to encounter in Ngorongoro Conservation Area and also determines how easy it is going to be for you as a tourist to navigate through the area.

Generally Ngorongoro conservation area experiences moderate climatic conditions comprising of dry and wet season, in the conservation area it’s noticed that the higher you climb the cooler it gets that is temperature in the conservation area drops by approximately 6.5°C for every 1000 meters The rim of the crater is situated at the altitude of 8530ft and the crater floor is situated at the altitude of 5577ft.

Best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a safari

June to October period (Dry season)

The dry season in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area comprises too much sunshine, with either no or little/short rainfall in the plains of the area, and this season is experienced in the months of June, July, August, September, and October. This period is characterized by clear skies, sunny days, and a daily temperature range of 19°C and 66°F on the floor of the crater, especially in the afternoon.

Though it is hot during days it is always cold in the morning and really cold in the night, it also gets close to freezing point at the edge of the crater, because of the coldness state in the morning and afternoon it is important to carry warm clothing if you intend to do an early morning game drive in the morning and also sleep in the area’s lodge or do camping.

This period is the best for game viewing in Ngorongoro Conservation Area as the grassland cover in the area is very short, and you also get clear views of the crater because of the clear skies. Though this period is the best for most of the tourists, it is not perfect for tourists who are not fond of crowds, as the park gets very crowded with many tourists.

November to May period (Wet season)

The wet season in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area comprises long and short rainfall, which occurs at various periods of time. The wet season in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area occurs in the months of November, December, January, February, March, April, and May.

The wet season is characterized by a daily temperature range of about 23°C/73°F at the bottom of the crater, most especially in the afternoon, which usually drops to about 6°C/43°F at the edge of the crater. Because of the drop in temperature, it occasionally gets to be freezing.

Short rains: Short rains in the Ngorongoro conservation area experienced in the months of November, June, and December. During this period, it usually does not rain for the entire day, and rains are received in the evening.

Dry spell: In the wet season, there is a dry spell that befalls the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; this period is experienced in the period of January and February, though it is very unpredictable.

Long rains: Long rains in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are experienced in the months of March, April and May. This period is characterized by rainy days, but it does not rain throughout the day. Long rainy experienced average temperatures of 21°C on the floor of the crater and 6°C on the edge of the crater. In the months of April and May, it is much cooler than any other period; that is why you should carry warm clothing to keep you warm while on a safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

This period is not ideally the perfect time to visit Ngorongoro conservation area to some of the tourists but for budget tourists and those who do not like crowds this period is perfect for you because of the rains this period is a low season period in ngorongoro conservation area with a fewer population visiting the park, this means accommodation prices are a bit lower and also gives a tourist more space and time to tour the park with less crowd.

SUMMARY OF PERIODS OF TIME IN NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

Low season in Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a safari is experienced in April and May, which is a perfect time for tourists who like less crowd while on a safari
Best weather conditions are experienced in June to October because the area receives little rainfall
Worst weather conditions are experienced in March to April, which is a peak period in the wet season with heavy rainfalls
The June to October period is typically dry
Peak season in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where the area receives a high population of tourists, is from July to March
The peak of the wet season starts in March to May
In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the nights and mornings are cold
The best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area is in June, August and September.
The period of June to October