The Ngorongoro Crater offers phenomenal game viewing throughout the year, but particular seasons offer their own special highlights.

Entamanu sits on an extraordinary site in the sharp air of the highlands and there’s nothing tame about this location – the high-altitude sun has some real heat, and the wind can be biting and sometimes noisy. We’ve taken up the challenge to create a camp that makes the most of the extraordinary view while providing warmth and shelter from the elements, while being entirely removable.

The Crater itself takes on a life of its own when it comes to weather patterns. With an altitudinal range of 960m to 3,648m, its climatic zones range from semi-arid to montane forest, and there is often a remarkable difference between the conditions on either side of the Crater, and particularly between the rim (often cold and foggy in the mornings) and the crater floor which is much hotter and often clear. Temperatures on the rim can drop to around or below freezing so warm clothes are a must throughout the year, and it can get windy at Entamanu particularly in July and August.

As its own little microhabitat, the Crater includes a variety of small ecosystems, a saline lake, swamps, plains and forests - and all this supports a population of about 25,000 mammals and an impressive number of bird species. Most of the wildlife never leaves the Crater floor and it has a well-earned reputation as one of the most epic wildlife experiences in Africa. It can get busy with vehicles on the Crater floor, but our location on the rim means we can beat most of the crowds in the mornings, and retreat to our remote corner of wilderness to explore on foot, or venture further afield to the less famous but equally impressive sites such as Empakai and Ol Moti.

January – February

March – May

June – October

November – December

Excellent birding and clear skies

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.

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.

Prices from $1,790 per person per night
January – February

Lush green scenery

The 'Long rains' start towards the end of March, and it is when we receive the most rain. Most days will see 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.

Prices from $1,195 per person per night
March – May

Migratory birds start to arrive, wildlife gather around waterholes

Wildlife is generally fantastic throughout the year in the Crater. As the season dries out so does the grass on the Crater floor making spotting the more elusive beasts like the serval easier.

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. It gets cold at night so warm clothes are a must.

The short rains could start towards the end of October.

Prices from $1,195 per person per night
June – October

Excellent birding

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

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.

Prices from $1,195 per person per night
November – December

Northern Tanzania safaris

Our Northern Tanzania camps are in enviable locations that mean we can take you deeper into this epic wilderness and create life changing experiences.
 

Reviews

V. Murphy

Review for entamanu private

"Luxury Excitement Excellence"

Luxury excitement excellence all around

M. Singer

Review for entamanu private

Clear Great Pictures

Website is clear great pictures

C. Murphy

Review for entamanu private

Excellent Service and Accommodations

Excellent service and accommodations.the staff is amazing. You will not be disappointed.

C. Perry

Review for entamanu private

Fantastic Spot to Stay

A fantastic spot to stay when exploring Ngorongoro. The crater rim walk is a special experience. The team, service and the food is amazing

S. Venkatachalam

Review for entamanu private

Incredibly Comfortable Home

Entemanu private is genuinely an incredibly comfortable home perched on an incredible part of the Ngorongoro crater rim..beautifully designed and built and peopled by staff that are among the warmest and most hospitable in the world! You can’t go wrong.

FAQs

What I wish I knew before going on safari

Always take a good pair of binoculars. And slow down. Take time to enjoy and area or the safari camps. There is sometimes nothing more special than spending the afternoon or early morning on your veranda and letting the wildlife come to you.

What should I take on Safari in Tanzania?

This is the trip of lifetime so you must have a good camera (or phone) to capture those wonderful memories. More importantly is a decent pair of binoculars - essential for your time in the bush. Sunscreen and insect repellant should be in the bag as well as a good water bottle, although you will be provided with a Nomad water bottle as part of your stay - hydration is really important on safari and in dry climates. Check your luggage restrictions with your tour operator as there are restrictions on luggage allowance for domestic flights in Tanzania. Also, if you react to insect bites be sure to bring antihistamines. It is a good idea to carry loperamide (commonly sold as Imodium) just in case.

How much do I tip my safari guide?

Firstly, you should only tip of you genuinely feel that the service you have received warrants it. Tips are never expected, but always appreciated. Tipping amounts very much depends on your experience but we tend to work with a range of 10-15 US dollars per guest per day. Equally, it's not unusual for a family or group to pitch in slightly below this as a group tip.

What is the best month to travel to Tanzania?

Tanzania is a year round destination, especially in Northern Tanzania. So your visit often depends on family schedules or particular wildlife experiences on the bucket list. We love January to March in Ngorongoro and southern Serengeti Plains when the air is clear, nice temperatures and the migration arrives in town for calving season. This is an extraordinary time to be there.

What is the typical food when on safari?

Fresh, locally sourced, and surprisingly varied given the remote locations of some camps. Imagine homemade bread, seasonal veg, cooking with delicious Swahili spices. All accompanied by far-stretching views or enjoyed under a shady tree.

What is the difference between a lodge and a tented camp?

Lodges are more permanent, often with solid walls and more amenities available. Tented camp are light touch, with canvas walls, open air and the sounds of bush throughout!

How much driving is involved in a Tanzania Safari?

The driving distances on a Tanzania safari can vary depending on the area you are visiting and also your appetite for driving. Northern Tanzania allows for a full driving circuit with National Parks within reasonable distances. We love to drive when we can as we believe it allows for an exciting adventure through towns and villages and you learn so much about Tanzania and its wonderful people.

Can I go on safari and visit Zanzibar in one trip?

Yes absolutely, Tanzania has superb transport links from the mainland to Zanzibar as well as neighbouring islands too. Many travellers choose to spend some time in the wild on safari before heading to the coast for some R&R.

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