Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Ngorongoro in December
Little changes in Ngorongoro from November: highs stay near 75°F (24°C), lows near 58°F (14°C), and about 5.9 in (151 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 68/100, 11th of 12.
- Avg high
- 75°F (24°C)
- Avg low
- 58°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 5.9 in (151 mm)
- Humidity
- 78%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 11 min
- Comfort score
- 68/100 · Good
What December feels like
Days are warm, averaging 75°F (24°C).
After dark, temperatures fall to about 58°F (14°C).
Expect regular rain: about 5.9 in (151 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are June – October.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from November (69 → 68/100).
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Light, breathable clothes75°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Ngorongoro in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Ngorongoro Crater
Caldera about 20 km across, home to lions, buffalo, flamingos and one of the best chances to see black rhino.
Entamanu Ngorongoro
Small Nomad Tanzania camp on the crater's western rim, serving set meals with views across the crater floor.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 5.9 in of rain.
Lerai Forest
Yellow-barked acacia forest on the crater floor, a good spot for elephants and bushbuck.
Olduvai Gorge Museum
Museum at the gorge where the Leakeys found early human fossils, with a talk over the site.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 5.9 in of rain.
Gibb's Farm
Coffee farm and lodge near Karatu serving lunches built on its own organic gardens.
Nearby in December
- Serengeti in December~76 mi · highs 81°F, 5.3 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, drier
- Maasai Mara in December~121 mi · highs 81°F, 5.5 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Nairobi in December~160 mi · highs 78°F, 2.6 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,006 m to Ngorongoro's ~1,756 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Ngorongoro in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Ngorongoro?
It's middling, scoring 68/100. The best months are June – October, at up to 95. Expect highs of 75°F (24°C) and 5.9 in (151 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so December is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Ngorongoro in December?
Average highs are 75°F (24°C) and average lows 58°F (14°C), making it the 6th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ngorongoro in December?
Yes: about 5.9 in (151 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 44.6 in (1134 mm).
What should I pack for Ngorongoro in December?
Bring light, breathable clothes (75°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Ngorongoro
Planning Ngorongoro in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.