Crater Temperatures Slopes Eastern Clear

Like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro has two rainy seasons, the short rains in November and December and the longer rains between March and May. Average annual rainfall is around 750mm on the Crater floor with over 1500 mm on the eastern facing slopes of the crater rim.

Temperatures in the crater vary from less than 10 degrees C during July and August, the coldest months to a maximum of 30 degrees at the hottest time of year.

The nicest time of year is often between November and May, when the air is at its clearest and temperatures are warmest. Because of the altitude temperatures are rarely uncomfortable and for much of this time of year this is the ideal climate, with cool nights and warm days.

In the dry season the air is less clear, so views aren't as good and stratus cloud hangs over the crater rim for much of the morning. This looks very spectacular as it clears, but can make for quite bad light conditions on the days that it doesn't clear.

The disparity in rainfall that the Crater has, particularly between eastern and western facing slopes is one of the reasons for the number of diverse micro habitats in such a small area. The underlying reason is that all the weather approaches from the east. Very simplistically, it gets as far as the rift valley, where the air is forced to rise causing rain to fall predominantly on the eastern side. This doesn't leave as much for the western faces and the result is a rain shadow. This can be seen quite clearly when you look at the different vegetation to be found on the different slopes of the crater walls or when you fly over the rift valley en route to Serengeti.

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When to go, Ngorongoro Crater and Highlands, Tanzania