Best Time to Do Game Drives in Ngorongoro Crater.
Are you planning to do game drives on your safari in Ngorongoro and wondering about the best time to do game drives in Ngorongoro Crater? This blog will guide you on the best time to enjoy game drives on your safari. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most visited safari destinations in Tanzania, found within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The crater is the world’s largest caldera and one of the seven wonders of Africa. This is the best place for travellers to enjoy game drives. Ngorongoro has more than 250,000 large animals, including the African Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, and leopards, making it the best place for a complete Big Five safari. Bird lovers will be delighted by the thousands of birds found in the area, including water birds, forest birds, migratory birds, savannah birds and residents, some of which are hard to find anywhere else. Game drives can be done throughout the year, and the best time is determined by an individual’s preference, as it experiences dry and wet seasons, both of which provide exceptional experiences for nature lovers. There are two seasons: the morning session and the afternoon session, both of which provide equal opportunities to encounter various birds and animals like impalas, zebras, vervet monkeys, gazelles, oribis, hyenas, among others.
Best Time to Do Game Drives in Ngorongoro Crater.
Dry Season.
According to reviews and feedback from past visitors, the best time to do game drives in Ngorongoro Crater is determined by an individual’s preferences. Ngorongoro Conservation Area can be visited throughout the year, but the majority prefer the dry season. It experiences two dry seasons, which run from December to February and from June to September. During the dry season, there is little to no rainfall, and the game drive tracks are dry, making it easy to penetrate in search of various wildlife species.
Additionally, the vegetation cover is short, which allows visitors to observe various animals and bird species and take clear photos while on their safari. The animals to spot on the game drives include rhinos, lions, elephants, zebras, elands, impalas, buffalo, leopards, giraffes, warthogs, giraffes, topi, oribis, sitatunga, blue monkeys, African Hare, ground pangolin, side-striped Jackal, olive baboons, hyenas, klipspringer, bushbucks, serval, genets, civets and vervet monkeys, among others.
Wet Season.
Visitors can also do game drives in Ngorongoro Crater during the wet season, which takes place from October to November and from March to May. During this season, the area receives enough rainfall, and the game drive tracks are muddy and slippery, making it challenging to penetrate them in search of birds and animals. The vegetation cover is tall, which makes it challenging to view wildlife species from a distance.
However, during this season, the area has abundant food and water, which favours birders to see various bird species. This is the best period of the year to do birding in Ngorongoro Conservation Area since it’s a breeding season for various bird species.
Where to stay in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The park offers various accommodation options for visitors that suit their budgets, ranging from luxury to standard accommodation options. If you are looking for luxury stays, consider Lemala Ngorongoro Lodge, Neptune Ngorongoro Lodge, Ngorongoro Serna Safari Lodge, and Ngorongoro Crater Lodge; for mid-range accommodations, consider Hhando Coffee Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildcamp, and Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge; and those looking for budget-friendly accommodations should consider Rhino Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, and Marera Valley Lodge. These eco-friendly accommodations provide exceptional safari experiences.
