The rainy season is divided into:

• Short Rainy Season (November to January): Light showers and cooler temperatures, offering lush greenery but making wildlife spotting harder.
• Long Rainy Season (Late March to May): Marked by heavier rains, creating a lush landscape but also fewer tourists, as the dense vegetation can obscure wildlife.

Despite these seasonal differences, we highly recommend visiting Ngorongoro Crater year-round, as each season presents a unique perspective of the area. Be sure to pack for varying temperatures, as the crater rim can be chilly and even freeze at night.

Activities in Ngorongoro

For recommended itinerary ideas that include Ngorongoro, please visit our safari page.

Wildlife Game Drive – Ndutu Are

The Ndutu Area is located in the northwestern part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, bordering the southern Serengeti. The boundary between Serengeti and Ngorongoro is often indistinguishable, even for seasoned safari guides. While Ndutu has fewer resident animals compared to central Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater, it is a prime location to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration.

Calving Season (March to May):

Ndutu becomes the epicenter of the Great Wildebeest Migration. During this time, wildebeests return to the area to give birth, making it one of nature?s most dramatic wildlife events. As the calves gain strength, the wildebeests prepare to continue their journey, crossing through Serengeti and heading north to cross the Mara River into Kenya.
This calving season attracts a wide variety of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas, which prey on the vulnerable newborns. The plains of Ndutu become flooded with wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, offering a thrilling opportunity to witness nature?s raw beauty.
The Ndutu area also permits off-roading, allowing visitors to get closer to the animals, making it an excellent destination for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Game Drive Inside Ngorongoro Crater

Once inside the 恩戈罗恩戈罗火山口, you will notice a dramatic change in the ecosystem. The weather shifts from the cold rim to a warmer climate on the crater floor, creating a complete and vibrant ecosystem where wildlife coexists with abundant water sources, enough for even hippos to thrive.
Most wildlife in the crater are residents, but migratory species such as flamingos also visit. On a game drive, you will descend through lush forests to the crater floor, where you can expect to see rhinos, zebras, and possibly even witness a lion hunting. Other wildlife includes elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, gazelles, jackals, serval cats, hyenas, East African wild dogs, and baboons. Birdlife is abundant, with flamingos and various exotic species adding to the visual richness of the experience.

观鸟

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to over 500 species of birds, including migratory and endemic species. Bird watching is best experienced in the early morning or evening, when many birds return to their nests after a day of foraging.
An experienced bird guide will help you identify the diverse habitats in the area, from forests and grasslands to Lake Magadi. Some commonly spotted birds the Black Kite, Secretary Bird, Grey Crowned Crane, Ostrich, Flamingos, 和 Living Turaco.

Nature Walk

A nature walk in Ngorongoro offers an adventurous way to explore the area on foot. Guided by a knowledgeable park guide and accompanied by an armed ranger for safety, you can visit places like Empakai Crater, Olmoti Crater, or enjoy crater rim walks.
During the walk, you may encounter wildlife, such as Crowned Eagles, as well as vibrant wildflowers and trees. You?ll also have a chance to interact with the Maasai people, who live harmoniously with the land, herding cattle in the conservation area. The views of the crater are stunning, adding to the immersive
experience.

Visit Shifting Sand

Shifting Sand, a unique feature of Ngorongoro, is located near the Olduvai Gorge. These crescent-shaped dunes are magnetized with volcanic ash, causing the sand to rejoin after being thrown into the air. Over time, the dunes move at a rate of about 55 feet (17 meters) per year, having shifted for over 3 million years.
The Maasai people believe these sands come from the sacred Mount Ol-Doinyo Lengai (“Mountain of God”). The best time to visit is during the dry season (June to October), as the trail leading to the dunes requires a 4×4 vehicle, and the dunes can be impassable after rainfall.

Visit Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai Gorge is one of the world?s most significant archaeological sites, known as the ?Cradle of Mankind.? Discovered by the Leakey family, it has yielded numerous fossils, providing key insights into early human evolution. The gorge contains prehistoric layers of rock and fossils, offering a glimpse into the history of hominids, extinct animals, and early Homo sapiens.
Located within Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Olduvai is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. The site features a museum with educational exhibits, including fossils, stone tools, and hominid remains. A visit to Laetoli, near Olduvai, allows you to see the famous ?Lucy footprints,? preserved in volcanic ash over a million years ago, marking a key moment in human evolution.