December on the Ngorongoro Crater floor is the green season in full expression — the landscape that defined June through October has been transformed by the short rains into a vivid, lush, tropical version of itself. Wildebeest are calving in the southern Serengeti. Dramatic afternoon cloud builds over the crater rim. Visitor numbers are at their annual low. And the crater floor itself looks nothing like the photographs that grace travel magazines — it is a different, equally compelling, place entirely.
Our guides, who have descended the crater in every month for 48 years, will tell you that December is one of the most visually spectacular months on the crater floor — and one of the least visited. The green is vivid and fresh. The cloud formations are dramatic. The experience of being on the crater floor in December — shared with 10–20 vehicles rather than 40–60 — is intimate and unhurried in a way that peak season simply cannot match.
What Makes December Different on the Crater Floor
December is deep in Tanzania's green season (November through April). The short rains have transformed the crater floor from the golden October peak into a landscape of vivid green. Grass is growing. Temporary wetlands have formed in the lower areas of the floor. The Munge River is running strongly. Water is available across the floor in a way that it simply is not during the dry months.
This abundance of water means that wildlife is dispersed across the crater floor rather than concentrated at the contracted water sources of October. Elephant families range widely through the green vegetation. Buffalo herds are spread across multiple areas rather than bunched at a few waterholes. Lion are distributed throughout their territories. The experience of wildlife in December is different from October — more dispersed, more varied, requiring more driving to find specific sightings.
Vehicle numbers in December are at their annual low. On a December morning on the crater floor, you may share the floor with as few as 8–15 vehicles — a fraction of the October peak. This creates a genuinely intimate safari experience. Major sightings may have only 2–3 vehicles rather than 30+. The experience of being on the crater floor in December is personal in a way that the peak season months simply cannot replicate.
Wildlife Highlights — December on the Crater Floor
Elephant dispersed in green vegetation, buffalo in large groups, lion consistently visible, hippo pods in the lake, dramatically fewer vehicles than any other month, and some of the finest green-season photography conditions of the year
Our guides enter by 6:30 AM — morning hours before afternoon rain are the finest wildlife viewing window in December.
Wildlife Sightings — Green Season Patterns
December wildlife sightings follow green-season patterns — wildlife is dispersed rather than concentrated. Elephant families range widely through the green vegetation, moving through the longer grass in conditions very different from the open October terrain. Finding elephants in December requires more driving and tracking than in peak season, but sightings remain highly productive.
Buffalo remain in large herds near the primary water sources — the Munge River corridor and the Lerai Forest area remain reliable for substantial buffalo sightings in December. Lion are resident on the crater floor year-round and are consistently visible — the longer green grass creates different sighting conditions and hunting behaviour than the open dry-season terrain.
Black rhino sightings in December are less reliable than in the dry months. With water available across the floor, rhinos are dispersed and not forced to the concentrated positions of October. December is not the month for guaranteed comprehensive rhino sightings.
Hippo remain excellent in December — the lake and river areas hold large numbers regardless of season. December also offers excellent birding — migratory species are present, and the combination of green vegetation and water creates ideal conditions for a wide variety of bird species.
Photography in December — Green Season Beauty
December offers completely different photography conditions from the peak dry season. The green landscape, dramatic cloud formations, and intimate vehicle numbers create images that are distinctly different from the iconic October photographs. For photographers who want something other than the classic golden dry-season shots, December is exceptional.
Dramatic cloud formations in December are a highlight. The short rainy season typically brings spectacular afternoon cloud builds — cumulonimbus formations over the crater rim that create dramatic backdrops for wildlife and landscape photography. These skies are completely different from the clear blue conditions of peak season.
The lush green vegetation provides rich foreground interest that the short dry-season grass simply cannot match. The combination of green grass, dramatic skies, and the crater rim as backdrop creates images that are uniquely December. Wildlife photography in the green vegetation requires different techniques than the open terrain of October.
Planning Your December Ngorongoro Safari
December permits are generally available with 2–3 weeks notice — significantly easier to secure than October or September. The main practical consideration is that some operators reduce their December operations. We run daily descents year-round and December is one of our most consistently operated months.
Our guides recommend entering the crater by 6:30 AM to maximise morning wildlife viewing before any afternoon rain. December rains typically arrive in the afternoon — often dramatic thunderstorms that can be spectacular to witness from the shelter of a safari vehicle.
Temperatures on the crater floor in December: 12–16°C at dawn, warming to 25–28°C by midday. The humidity is noticeably higher than in peak season, and the crater floor can feel tropical and damp after afternoon rain. Full wet-weather gear is essential — not just a light shell but proper rain layers and protection for your camera equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Ngorongoro Crater?
December is an excellent time for Ngorongoro — and one of the most overlooked months on the crater floor. The green season is in full expression, the landscape is at its most visually lush, wildebeest calving is beginning in the southern Serengeti, and visitor numbers are at their annual low. The trade-offs are: wildlife is dispersed rather than concentrated, some areas of the crater floor may be affected by rain, and the iconic golden peak-season landscape is gone. But for the traveller who values beauty, solitude, and a different kind of safari experience, December is exceptionally rewarding.
How does December compare to November for Ngorongoro?
November is the transition month when the short rains begin and the landscape starts to transform. December is when the green season is fully established — the crater floor is green, the grass is growing, and the visual character has shifted completely from the October peak. Wildlife concentration continues to decrease as water sources expand across the floor. Vehicle numbers remain at December lows (similar to November — 10–20 vehicles). The main difference is that December represents full green-season conditions, while November is the transformation.
Can you see the Big Five in Ngorongoro in December?
Yes, with important nuances. Elephant, buffalo, lion, and hippo are all reliably seen in December. The resident lion prides are on the crater floor year-round. Hippo pods in the lake and river remain consistent regardless of season. Black rhino sightings in December are less reliable than in peak dry months — rhinos are dispersed across the floor with the abundance of water. December is not the month for guaranteed comprehensive Big Five coverage, but four of the five remain highly reliable.
What is the crater floor like in December?
Green and lush. The transformation from the October peak-season landscape is complete. The crater floor in December looks dramatically different from the photographs in travel magazines — it is a landscape of vivid green, dramatic skies (December cloud formations are often spectacular), and a completely different visual character from peak season. Some travellers prefer this green Ngorongoro to the iconic golden version. The experience is entirely different from what the peak months deliver.
How many days do you need for Ngorongoro in December?
One full day on the crater floor is sufficient for most December visitors. Wildlife is dispersed rather than concentrated, which means the experience is less about dense wildlife aggregations and more about varied sightings across the floor. A single full day provides good coverage of the crater floor's different habitats. We recommend entering by 6:30 AM to maximise morning wildlife viewing before any afternoon rain.
What is the Ngorongoro Crater permit fee in December?
The Ngorongoro Conservation fee is $295 per person per 24 hours year-round — no seasonal variation. December permits are generally available with 2–3 weeks notice, similar to November. This short-notice availability makes December an excellent option for last-minute safari planners. Some operators reduce their December crater operations, so confirm your operator runs daily descents year-round.
How do you combine Ngorongoro with other parks in December?
December is peak wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area — one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth. The classic December combination is southern Serengeti (wildebeest calving, predator action following the newborns) with Ngorongoro crater descent. This combination delivers extraordinary wildlife drama — new life at scale — in landscapes that are green and dramatically beautiful. It is a very different experience from the northern circuit peak season, and for many of our guides, equally compelling.
What should I pack for a December Ngorongoro safari?
December on the crater floor is warm and increasingly wet. Temperatures range from 12–16°C at dawn to 25–28°C by midday — warm and humid as the green season establishes. Afternoon rain is common in December, often dramatic thunderstorms. A proper rain layer is essential — not just a light shell but full wet-weather gear. Morning layers are still necessary for the dawn descent. The humidity is higher than in peak season and the crater floor can feel damp and tropical after rain.
Ready to Plan Your December Safari?
Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro — December Combination
December is peak wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti — one of the most spectacular wildlife events on Earth. Combined with the lush green Ngorongoro crater, this is an extraordinary combination. Tell us your preferred dates and we will build a tailored itinerary.
Ask Don About December Safari OptionsAlso considering Kilimanjaro with your safari?
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