Ngorongoro Crater

A lambent world of wildlife and the planet’s biggest unbroken volcanic crater.

2 to 3 million years ago, a volcano bigger than Kilimanjaro imploded; and the magma retreated leaving a vast collapsed hollow. Now in the shadow of 3000ft high crater walls, the resident wildlife  is diverse and  easily tracked - cheetah, elephant, hyena, hippo, lion, leopard, and a vast array of bird-life, including lesser flamingos. Views from the rim bring flashes of how the planet's first humans must have experienced it.

Beyond, lie Empakai, Olmoti, OlDonyo Lengai: legendary volcanic peaks and valleys for us to explore, absurdly deserted due to the rock stardom of their famous cousin. The adventurer in us absolutely loves these places: a crowded field of Jackson’s Whydah birds all a-pogo, a pair of leopards peering through old man's beard on a pillarwood tree, one elderly Maasai lady tending her pots in a deserted highland village.

Our Camps in Ngorongoro Crater

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The Ngorongoro Crater sits in real Maasai country and an encounter with the Maasai warriors is unforgettable.

The Ngorongoro Crater sits in real Maasai country and an encounter with the Maasai warriors is unforgettable.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a real sight to behold as you reach the rim on the way to our camp, Entamanu.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a real sight to behold as you reach the rim on the way to our camp, Entamanu.

 The Wishing Tree at Entamanu Ngorongoro sits in front of camp and has been visited and adorned by Maasai offerings for decades.

The Wishing Tree at Entamanu Ngorongoro sits in front of camp and has been visited and adorned by Maasai offerings for decades.
A relaxed lioness in the Ngorongoro Crater.

A relaxed lioness in the Ngorongoro Crater.

 Morning forays onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor hold the promise of epic views and incredible wildlife.

Morning forays onto the Ngorongoro Crater floor hold the promise of epic views and incredible wildlife.
Giraffe are not found on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, which is why we love being able to see them in large numbers from camp.

Giraffe are not found on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, which is why we love being able to see them in large numbers from camp.

 The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in Africa.

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most iconic wildlife destinations in Africa.
Ancient Acacia Lahai trees shrouded in morning mist on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Ancient Acacia Lahai trees shrouded in morning mist on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.

 Entamanu Ngorongoro is surrounded by the ancient ebb and flow of Maasai pastoralist life.

Entamanu Ngorongoro is surrounded by the ancient ebb and flow of Maasai pastoralist life.
Walking along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with a Nomad guide and a local Maasai.

Walking along the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with a Nomad guide and a local Maasai.
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When to go

 Dry season  Green season  Closed
jan
feb
mar
apr
may
jun
jul
aug
sep
oct
nov
dec
When to go green

January

Lush green scenery, excellent birding

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. During the wetter months the water levels in Lake Magadi rise and attract impressive flocks of lesser flamingos.

When to go weather This is usually a time of dry weather between the short rains of November and December, and the long rains of April and May. Warm sunny and clear days, with cooler temperatures at camp on the Crater rim, especially if it does rain.

February

Lush green scenery, excellent birding

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. During the wetter months the water levels in Lake Magadi rise and attract impressive flocks of lesser flamingos.

When to go weather This is usually a time of dry weather between the short rains of November and December, and the long rains of April and May. Warm sunny and clear days, with cooler temperatures at camp on the Crater rim, especially if it does rain.

March

Lush green scenery, excellent birding

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. During the wetter months the water levels in Lake Magadi rise and attract impressive flocks of lesser flamingos.

When to go weather The 'Long rains' start towards the end of March and it is when we recieve the most rain. Most days will rain, but it very seldom lasts the whole day. Temperatures are around 21°C/70°F on the crater floor and as low as 6°C/43°F on the crater rim.

April

Fewer people in the Crater

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. During the wetter months the water levels in Lake Magadi rise and attract impressive flocks of lesser flamingos.

When to go weather The 'Long rains' is when we recieve the most rain. Most days will rain, but it very seldom lasts the whole day. Temperatures are around 21°C/70°F on the crater floor and as low as 6°C/43°F on the crater rim.

May

Fewer people in the Crater

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. During the wetter months the water levels in Lake Magadi rise and attract impressive flocks of lesser flamingos.

When to go weather The 'Long rains' is when we recieve the most rain. Most days will rain, but it very seldom lasts the whole day. Temperatures are around 21°C/70°F on the crater floor and as low as 6°C/43°F on the crater rim.

June

Wildlife begins to gather around waterholes

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. As the season dries out so does the grass on the Crater floor making spotting the more elusive beasts like the serval easier.

When to go weather The next couple of months are generally warm with afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor. Days are sunny, with cloudless skies until the short rains' towards the end of October. It gets cold at night and it can freeze on the crater rim

July

Wildlife begins to gather around waterholes

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. As the season dries out so does the grass on the Crater floor making spotting the more elusive beasts like the serval easier.

When to go weather It can get windy through July and August up at Entamanu, which does make it cold. Days warm with afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor. It gets cold and windy at night and it can freeze on the crater rim so warm clothes are a must.

August

Wildlife begins to gather around waterholes

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. As the season dries out so does the grass on the Crater floor making spotting the more elusive beasts like the serval easier.

When to go weather It can get windy through July and August up at Entamanu, which does make it cold. Days warm with afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor. It gets cold and windy at night and it can freeze on the crater rim so warm clothes are a must.

September

Wildlife concentrates around water

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. As the season dries out so does the grass on the Crater floor making spotting the more elusive beasts like the serval easier.

When to go weather It can get windy through July and August up at Entamanu, which does make it cold. Days warm with afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor. It gets cold and windy at night and it can freeze on the crater rim so warm clothes are a must.

October

Wildlife concentrates around water

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky. As the season dries out so does the grass on the Crater floor making spotting the more elusive beasts like the serval easier.

When to go weather Generally warm with afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor. Days are usually sunny, and the short rains' could start towards the end of the month. It can still get cold at night so warm clothes are a must.

November

Migratory birds start to arrive

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky.

When to go weather The'Short rains' usually occur anytime throughout November and December. Showers generally happen in the afternoon and are relatively short lived. Temperatures are warm during the day and can drop considerably at night.

December

Excellent birding

When to go wildlife Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. The Big Five are all here to be seen if you are lucky.

When to go weather The'Short rains' usually occur anytime throughout November and December. Showers generally happen in the afternoon and are relatively short lived. Temperatures are warm during the day and can drop considerably at night.

Footprint

Safaris in Ngorongoro Crater