Middle of the wetter season · Weather & things to do
Ngorongoro in January
Little changes in Ngorongoro from December: highs stay near 76°F (24°C), lows near 57°F (14°C), and about 5.6 in (143 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 71/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 76°F (24°C)
- Avg low
- 57°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 5.6 in (143 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 10 min
- Comfort score
- 71/100 · Good
What January feels like
Highs settle around 76°F (24°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Lows average 57°F (14°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 5.6 in (143 mm) across the month.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are June – October.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort improves from 68/100 in December to 71/100.
- Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 76°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes5.6 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Ngorongoro in January
With 5.6 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
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 5.6 in of rain.
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 5.6 in of rain.
Gibb's Farm
Coffee farm and lodge near Karatu serving lunches built on its own organic gardens.
Lake Magadi
Shallow soda lake on the crater floor where flamingos feed and hippos wallow.
Ngoitokitok Springs
Spring-fed pool on the crater floor used as a picnic stop, with hippos nearby.
Nearby in January
- Serengeti in January~76 mi · highs 81°F, 4.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, drier
- Maasai Mara in January~121 mi · highs 82°F, 4.2 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, drier
- Nairobi in January~160 mi · highs 81°F, 1.5 in rain · 3°C (5°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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Ngorongoro?
It's middling, scoring 71/100. The best months are June – October, at up to 95. Expect highs of 76°F (24°C) and 5.6 in (143 mm) of rain. Our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends Jun – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How hot is Ngorongoro in January?
Average highs are 76°F (24°C) and average lows 57°F (14°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ngorongoro in January?
Yes: about 5.6 in (143 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 44.6 in (1134 mm).
What should I pack for Ngorongoro in January?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 76°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (5.6 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Ngorongoro
Planning Ngorongoro in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.