Ngorongoro Crater

Visitors come to spend a day on the floor of a collapsed volcano, where lions, elephants and black rhinos live in one enclosed bowl of grassland and lake.

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The Ngorongoro Crater is a caldera in northern Tanzania, inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a few hours' drive from Arusha. A volcano collapsed on itself to form it, leaving a floor of grassland, a lake and steep forested walls. Lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo and black rhinos live on the floor, so one day can bring you close to many of the large animals people come to Tanzania to see.

The crater suits a first safari, a family trip or a stop between Arusha and the Serengeti. Plan a full day on the crater floor, or stay overnight on the rim, which sits much higher than the lowlands and gets cold at night, so pack warm layers. June to October is the dry season and a common choice for wildlife viewing. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority sets the rules on floor time and fees, so check them before you book.

Ngorongoro Crater in five

Know who runs itThe crater is in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, managed by the NCAA with its own fees, separate from national parks.NCAA
Descend at openingVehicle time on the crater floor is limited each day. Going down early gives the best light and fewest vehicles.
Pack warm layersThe rim is over 2,000 m and cold at dawn and after dark, even when the floor is warm.
Combine it with the SerengetiThe crater lies on the road from Arusha to the Serengeti, so most trips stop here on the way in or out.Serengeti guide
Bring binoculars for the rhinosBlack rhinos are usually far across the grassland, so binoculars or a long lens matter more here than on a typical game drive.

Things to do in Ngorongoro Crater

See all attractions in Ngorongoro Crater

Sight · Ngorongoro CraterNgorongoro Conservation Area

Lake · Ngorongoro CraterLake Magadi

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Need to know

Entrance: Conservation area fee plus a crater service fee per vehicle Read more
Permits: Paid in advance, usually by your operator
Season: Year-round; wildlife stays in the crater
Nearest town: Karatu, about 30 min from Lodoare gate
Getting there: About 3 hours by road from Arusha

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Green, calving
FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh28°Low16°Green
MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Humid
AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Long rains
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Wet, muddy
JunePartly cloudy5 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Dry, cold nights
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Dry, cold nights
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Dry
SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Dry, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Warm, dusty
NovemberRain18 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Short rains
DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Green

Average daily high and low in Crater rim, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Ngorongoro Crater

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 17°
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 76%

Ngorongoro Crater

01:00 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+3

Today27°14°76%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 76%.
Wed28°13°43%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 43%.
Thu27°14°19%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 19%.
Fri27°13°33%Friday: Fog. High 27°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 33%.
Sat27°13°78%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 78%.
Sun26°14°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 94%.

Updated 12:39 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 2,635 TZS

Amount

Converted to

TZS · Tanzanian Shilling

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Before you go to Ngorongoro Crater

Crater game-drive safarisOperators handle NCAA fees and vehicleCompare safaris

Lodges on the crater rimClosest to the early descent roadCheck availability

eSIM for northern TanzaniaPatchy signal on the circuit; load mapsRead the guide

Safari travel insuranceEvacuation cover for remote lodgesRead the guide

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Rules for Ngorongoro Crater, checked

Crater descent gates close at 16:00 and driving is allowed 06:00 to 18:00. The authority publishes fees, including a crater service fee per vehicle.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

Plan around Ngorongoro Crater

All of Tanzania

Parks, Zanzibar, entry rules and seasons

Read the guide Serengeti National Park

The plains and migration, a long day beyond

Read the guide Kilimanjaro

Pair a climb with the northern circuit

Read the guide Zanzibar

Beach days after the safari

Read the guide Tours and tickets

How safari bookings and fees work

Read the guide Visas and entry

Check the rule for your passport

Read the guide

Ngorongoro Crater FAQ

Can you see rhinos in the Ngorongoro Crater?

It is one of the best places in Tanzania to see black rhinos, usually at a distance across the grassland.

How long is a crater game drive?

Most visitors spend half to most of a day on the floor within the allowed time, starting at opening.

Is it worth staying on the crater rim?

Staying on the rim puts you closest to the descent road for an early start. Karatu is cheaper but further away.

Can you visit Ngorongoro as a day trip from Arusha?

It is possible but long: about 3 hours each way by road, leaving little time on the floor. Sleeping at Karatu or on the rim gives an early start and a calmer day.

When is the best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater?

Wildlife stays on the floor all year. The drier months from about June to October mean easier roads and clearer views, while the green season brings rain, mud and fewer vehicles.