Self Drive Guide to Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is an exquisite locale and the premier destination in East Africa to observe the Big Five. This is an excellent method to commence your African safari expedition. Nonetheless, as one of the globe’s most remarkable and celebrated natural marvels, the Ngorongoro Crater may become crowded, and at times exceedingly so. In light of the crowds, we advise a two-night stay here, followed by a transition to the Serengeti for a more tranquil and exclusive safari experience.
A Northern Tanzania Safari should encompass a visit to Ngorongoro Crater, renowned as one of the most stunning natural wildlife safari destinations globally and an extraordinary venue for engaging with the Maasai tribe.

The Ngorongoro Crater and its adjacent hills constitute one of Africa’s most exquisite areas. Volcanic craters create breathtaking vistas for some of the most fertile and affluent grazing lands in Africa. The most renowned crater is undoubtedly Ngorongoro, the largest intact volcanic caldera globally and the site of the highest concentration of large game in Africa. Ngorongoro is rightly one of the continent’s best renowned safari locations.

Directions to the Ngorongoro Crater | From Arusha to Ngorongoro

Commencing a journey from Arusha. Depending on your group size, it may be more economical for you to collectively utilize a private car and guide from your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport until your departure from the Ngorongoro region. When driving, it is imperative to spend a night on either side of your drop into the crater, either at a campsite on the crater rim or a 20-minute drive away in the Ngorongoro Highlands. This allows you to arrive at the gates early to circumvent the throng!

Departing from Arusha by air. If you are residing at a “fly-in” camp, where your guide and car are supplied by the camp rather than a ground handler from Arusha, you may fly into the Lake Manyara airstrip and be collected by the camp. This may be advantageous if your party is small, rendering air travel more economical than driving a private vehicle from Arusha. It is also crucial for certain camps, typically the more opulent ones operated by esteemed safari firms like Nomad’s Entamanu or The Highlands Asila.

Ngorongoro Crater Weather Conditions – Best Visiting Time

Given that the wildlife predominantly inhabits the crater year-round, there is no particularly advantageous or disadvantageous time to visit. Nonetheless, considering the congestion of automobiles on the crater floor, it may be more enjoyable to visit during the off-peak season. Elevated water levels in Lake Magadi (located at the center of the Crater) lead to increased concentrations of flamingos. Visiting Ngorongoro guarantees exceptional safari experiences. The allure of a Ngorongoro safari lies in its distinctive microclimate, allowing for year-round enjoyment.

What is the formation process of the Ngorongoro Crater?

The Ngorongoro Crater, now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was created when a massive volcano erupted and subsequently collapsed approximately 3 million years ago. The volcano caldera’s cone collapsed inward, resulting in what is now recognized as one of the most distinctive safari parks in Africa and the world. An unparalleled safari destination abundant with wildlife. For additional information and clarifications regarding the Ngorongoro Crater,

Ngorongoro presents significant logistical challenges; but, with two decades of experience in organizing such excursions, we can provide you with appropriate guidance. Please contact us to explore your choices.

Ngorongoro Crater Safaris – FAQs

Ngorongoro Safari | Fauna

The Ngorongoro Crater is the premier location in Tanzania to observe ‘The Big Five’. The crater boasts a robust population of black rhinos and among of Africa’s largest tusker elephants, alongside significant numbers of lions, leopards, and hyenas, as well as thriving herds of wildebeests, buffaloes, and zebras. The local fauna included serval cats, cheetahs, jackals, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles, flamingos, bat-eared foxes, and over 400 avian species. A Ngorongoro safari is undeniably exhilarating; despite its modest size, it boasts the largest concentration of species of any location in Africa.

Ngorongoro Safari | Activities

Activities within the Ngorongoro Crater are confined to game drives; there are a few designated picnic places, but exiting the vehicle is strictly restricted to these locations. Nonetheless, a comprehensive array of activities is available in the broader Ngorongoro Conservation Area, encompassing walking, trekking, excursions to Olduvai Gorge, and interactions with the Masai and other tribes.

What are the accommodation options in the Ngorongoro Crater?

The decision is between lodging at a hotel on the Crater rim for the spectacular view or opting for accommodation slightly far from the Crater in the adjacent town of Karatu. Your accommodation does not affect the quality of your Ngorongoro safari. Karatu’s advantages encompass a relative absence of people and superior-value, smaller, more intimate lodges that provide a variety of activities, including walking and mountain biking. The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, situated on the rim, is the premier luxury hotel and is unequivocally world-class, ideal for a honeymoon in Tanzania; but, at roughly $3,000 per night, it is justifiably priced. The Serena and the Sopa offer equally breathtaking vistas of the Crater bottom and are considerably more economical alternatives; yet, they are expansive and somewhat aged establishments.

In the highlands around Karatu, away from the Crater rim, there exists a range of modest coffee plantations and guesthouses. At a comparable price to the Serena and Sopa, these alternatives are significantly more lovely and characterful, though they evidently miss the exceptional views of Ngorongoro. The finest among these are Plantation Lodge, Gibbs Farm, and The Manor.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania | Additional Literature

If you like to amalgamate your Ngorongoro Crater safari with additional parks in Tanzania, we recommend visiting either Serengeti National Park or Tarangire National Park, or both if feasible. Both possess a plethora of flora and animals ideal for an African safari experience. Although we strive to ensure our website is thorough, for additional background information, please see the Cadogan Guide to Tanzania and Zanzibar – Ngorongoro Chapter, authored by our director, Annabel. The latest edition was released in 2005, thus certain aspects may be rather outdated; yet, it remains exceptionally detailed.

Contact the specialists!

While perusing our website is an excellent initial step, comprehending the logistical complexities of the Ngorongoro Crater is challenging. Although it may appear trivial due to its modest scale, the diversity of accommodation choices is significant in terms of design and location; we also determine whether flying or driving is more advantageous based on your group size. Contact us for clarification regarding Ngorongoro, and our team of Tanzania specialists will be pleased to assist you.