End of the drier season · Weather & things to do
Ngorongoro in October
Ngorongoro's warmest month brings highs averaging 79°F (26°C), lows of 56°F (14°C) and about 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain.
At 86/100 for comfort (5th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 79°F (26°C)
- Avg low
- 56°F (14°C)
- Rain
- 3.1 in (79 mm)
- Humidity
- 65%
- Cloud cover
- 57%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 04 min
- Comfort score
- 86/100 · Great
What October feels like
Highs settle around 79°F (26°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 13°C (23°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Some rain is likely, about 3.1 in (79 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around October
October is one of Ngorongoro's best months on the climate data.
- Last of the best-scoring months: by November, the score drops to 69/100.
- Comfort slips from 94/100 in September to 86/100.
- October sits inside the Jun – Oct window our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends.
What to pack for October
- Light, breathable clothes79°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 56°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.1 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Ngorongoro in October
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Lerai Forest
Yellow-barked acacia forest on the crater floor, a good spot for elephants and bushbuck.
Why now October scores 86/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Ngorongoro Crater
Caldera about 20 km across, home to lions, buffalo, flamingos and one of the best chances to see black rhino.
Why now Highs near 79°F and 3.1 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Gibb's Farm
Coffee farm and lodge near Karatu serving lunches built on its own organic gardens.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Olduvai Gorge Museum
Museum at the gorge where the Leakeys found early human fossils, with a talk over the site.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Stone lodge built into the crater rim, with a bar and terrace looking over the caldera.
Nearby in October
- Serengeti in October~76 mi · highs 86°F, 2.4 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, drier
- Maasai Mara in October~121 mi · highs 85°F, 3.0 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Nairobi in October~160 mi · highs 82°F, 2.1 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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Ngorongoro?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 86/100. Expect highs of 79°F (26°C) and 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain. October is inside the Jun – Oct window our Kenya & Tanzania Safari route recommends.
How hot is Ngorongoro in October?
Average highs are 79°F (26°C) and average lows 56°F (14°C), making it the warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ngorongoro in October?
Some: about 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 44.6 in (1134 mm).
What should I pack for Ngorongoro in October?
Bring light, breathable clothes (79°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 56°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.1 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Ngorongoro
Routes in season in October
- Kenya & Tanzania Safari Jun – Oct
Planning Ngorongoro in October?
Share this October plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.