Ngorongoro Crater
A day on the floor of a volcanic caldera, with a high concentration of wildlife — usually combined with the Serengeti or Tarangire.
Overview
The Ngorongoro Crater is a volcanic caldera about 600 metres deep, with a floor of roughly 260 square kilometres. Grassland, a soda lake, swamps and a patch of forest support a high concentration of wildlife. It suits short safaris, photographers and anyone on the northern Tanzania circuit.
The crater sits inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Maasai communities live alongside wildlife. Most travellers combine it with Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti rather than visiting on its own.
Sample itinerary
Day 01Arusha → Karatu or the crater rim
- Morning departure from Arusha.
- Optional game drive in Lake Manyara National Park on the way.
- Afternoon arrival in Karatu or on the crater rim.
- Dinner and overnight.
Meals: lunch · dinner
Day 02Crater floor → Arusha
- Early descent to the crater floor.
- Game drive with a picnic lunch at a designated site.
- Ascend in the afternoon and drive back to Arusha, or continue west to the Serengeti.
Meals: breakfast · lunch
Longer options
Northern circuit, 5–7 days: Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti by road, or fly back from the Serengeti to save a day.
Safari and beach: finish with a few nights on Zanzibar.
Experiences
Crater floor game drive
A long drive on the floor with a picnic stop. Game viewing is concentrated, and the crater walls are part of the view.
Lake, swamps and forest
A soda lake, freshwater springs and swamps, open grassland and a small acacia forest.
Olduvai Gorge
The gorge and its museum on the road to the Serengeti.
Tarangire and Lake Manyara
Elephants and baobabs at Tarangire, and Lake Manyara on the way to the crater.
What you might see
- Lion
- Spotted hyena
- Buffalo
- Elephant · mostly bulls
- Plains zebra
- Wildebeest
- Hippo
- Black rhino · small population
- Golden jackal
- Flamingos · seasonal
Black rhino live in the crater but are few and often seen at a distance. No sighting can be promised.
Where you'll stay
Rim lodges save time in the morning; Karatu offers more choice and value. Pack a warm layer: the rim is at around 2,300 metres.
Karatu lodges
Lodges and camps in and around Karatu, a short drive from the conservation area gate.
Established lodges
Lodges near the crater rim or in the Karatu highlands, with good access to the descent road.
Rim lodges with views
Lodges on the crater rim with views into the caldera.
Top rim and farm lodges
High-end rim lodges and highland farm lodges with gardens and more space.
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Best period
- Good / shoulder
- Quieter or wetter
Clear, dry conditions and the most visitors. Book rim lodges early.
Green returns; fewer vehicles outside the festive season.
Good viewing on the crater floor, and calving on the nearby southern plains around Ndutu.
The wettest period. Quieter, with lower rates at some lodges; roads can be slippery.
What's included
Usually included
- Accommodation for the nights booked
- Meals according to the board basis
- 4x4 safari vehicle and driver-guide
- Conservation area and crater fees, where included in the quotation
- Transport from and back to Arusha
Not included
- Flights to Arusha or Kilimanjaro
- Visa and Tanzania inbound insurance
- Travel insurance
- Optional village or Olduvai visits
- Tips and personal expenses
Inclusions vary by package. Your written quotation defines exactly what is and isn’t included.
Gallery
Where you'll be
The crater lies about 3–4 hours by road west of Arusha, on the way to the Serengeti.
Pricing
What changes the price
- Travel dates
- Accommodation level
- Travellers per vehicle
- Residency
- Other parks combined
Published fees (non-East African visitors)
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation area entry, adult (16+) | USD 70.80 | Per person, valid for one entry within 24 hours |
| Conservation area entry, child (5–16) | USD 23.60 | Per person, per 24 hours |
| Crater service fee | USD 295 | Per vehicle, per descent — shared by everyone in the vehicle |
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority tariffs, checked September 2026. East African citizens pay TZS rates.
Final pricing depends on dates, traveller numbers, accommodation and availability.
Interested in Ngorongoro Crater?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A consultant will come back to you with options and a firm quotation.
- Only name and email are required
- No obligation; a travel advisor replies, not an automated sequence
- Flights, hotels, transfers and visa guidance handled together
Prefer to talk it through? Talk to a travel advisor on +254 727 443840 or email travel@travellifectm.com.
Ngorongoro Crater: good to know
Is one day in the crater enough?
Yes. One long game drive on the floor is the usual visit; most travellers then continue to the Serengeti or Tarangire.
How do I get there?
Fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro, then drive about 3–4 hours from Arusha to the crater rim.
When is the best time to visit?
All year. June to October is driest and busiest; April and May are wettest.
Where should I stay?
On the rim for an early start and views, or in Karatu for more choice and value.
Can I combine it with other parks?
Yes. The crater sits between Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti on the northern circuit.
Can Travel Life Africa arrange flights and transfers?
Yes. Flights to Kilimanjaro, the vehicle and guide, lodges and fees are booked as one trip.
Other places to explore.
Photos via Unsplash (Unsplash Licence). Images show the type of place and experience and are not from a specific Travel Life Africa trip or property.