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Ngorongoro Crater Day Trips

4.6/5  –  540 Ngorongoro Crater Reviews

Ngorongoro is one of the most remarkable places in Africa and an essential stop on Tanzania’s Northern safari circuit. Halfway between the incredible parks of Lake Manyara and the Serengeti, Ngorongoro is the highlight of Tanzania’s Crater Highlands. The crater at Ngorongoro feels like a lost world and is like nowhere else in Africa. It’s filled with wildlife and stirring landscapes, and surrounded by the steep and forested crater walls that rise to the rim. From high on that rim, the views are superb, whether in the early morning as the mist rises from the crater depths, or at sunset as another day closes. A day spent down in the crater is a chance to see it up close and is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have on safari.

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5 Questions About Ngorongoro Crater Day Trips

1. How can I find a reliable tour operator for a 1-day Ngorongoro safari?
2. What can I expect from a day trip in the Ngorongoro Crater?
3. Is a 1-day Ngorongoro safari worth it?
4. Which animals can I expect to see?
5. What kind of vehicle can I expect?
 
 

5 Questions About Ngorongoro Crater Day Trips

Answered by Anthony Ham

How can I find a reliable tour operator for a 1-day Ngorongoro safari?

“My best advice for finding a reliable Ngorongoro operator is to get as many recommendations from other travelers as you can. Most safari operators visit Ngorongoro Crater as part of a circuit that operates out of Arusha. Most such trips include the Serengeti and Lake Manyara, as well as possibly Tarangire National Park and elsewhere in Tanzania’s north. That being the case, there will be no shortage of companies willing and eager to take you to Ngorongoro. Before signing on to an Ngorongoro trip, check a number of companies and compare what’s included. Ask questions such as how long you’ll spend down in the crater itself and how many people will be in the safari vehicle alongside you. Check out also the reviews left by other travelers on SafariBookings.com to answer any questions you may have and to match up your needs with the experiences of others. If you’re just looking for a day trip, rather than a longer safari, and you have the time, ask other travelers in Arusha, Mto wa Mbu or Karatu for recommendations.”

› Operators offering tours to Ngorongoro Crater 1

What can I expect from a day trip in the Ngorongoro Crater?

“When spending a day in Ngorongoro Crater, expect one of the best days you can possibly have on safari. Your day will begin high on the crater rim: no one, not even the Maasai, sleeps down in the crater. The views from the rim in the early morning, before you begin your descent, can vary. On many mornings, great clouds of mist roll up from the floor of the crater and over the rim to dramatic effect. As these clouds clear, the miracle of Ngorongoro slowly reveals itself. There will be the glint of sunlight on the salt lake of Magadi or the tiny dots of the animals as they move across the crater floor. You’ll descend one of the steep access roads, and the animals down below will slowly come into focus, whether on the plains against a pretty backdrop of steep crater walls or in the forest of Lerai where elephants often pass their time. You’ll spend much of the day driving around the crater floor, which, at 264km²/102mi², is surprisingly large. This means that you won’t spend too much time close to other vehicles because there’s enough room for everyone. Most trips stop for lunch at Ngoitoktok Springs; watch out for the black kites that are known to swoop down and steal sandwiches! By mid- to late afternoon, most tours climb again to the crater rim, arriving in time to take in one of those special Ngorongoro sunsets as the crater down below disappears into shadow.”

2

Is a 1-day Ngorongoro safari worth it?

“The simple answer is yes, a thousand times, yes. I’ve never had anything less than a fantastic day on my many visits to Ngorongoro, and there really is nowhere that can offer you the same experience as you’ll have here. Despite the number of vehicles that descend into the crater every day, it is large enough to rarely feel crowded. At the same time, the effect of being surrounded by high walls means Ngorongoro feels compact enough to offer a more intimate safari than is possible in, say, the Serengeti. A day here means a really concentrated safari experience, one where you can see many of the most sought-after, and most charismatic, animals such as Ngorongoro’s populations of lions, hyenas, elephants and black rhinos. In fact, Ngorongoro is one of those rare places where I always set out on safari and know that I will almost certainly see these iconic species, and so much more, before the day is out. When all of this is put together, it is no small wonder that Ngorongoro very often ends up being an all-time favorite for many safari-goers. It’s certainly one of mine.”

3

Which animals can I expect to see?

“By one estimate, over 25,000 mammals live in Ngorongoro Crater, including hyenas, lions, elephants and rhinos, to name just a few. It is impossible to miss the wandering clans of spotted hyenas: with more than 600 hyenas in residence, these are the true kings of the crater floor. They often do battle with lions whose numbers fluctuate, but in recent times, the Ngorongoro population of lions hovers around 50, spread across three or four different prides. Ngorongoro is one of few places where you can see both golden and black-backed jackals in the same place. The crater floor also has around 30 critically endangered black rhinos. Elephants are also one of my highlights of a visit here: you’re most likely to encounter them in Lerai Forest, on the southern side of the crater, with around 200 to 300 in the crater. If you’re wondering what sustains such large numbers of lions and hyenas, there’s plenty of prey, including Grant’s gazelle, wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, eland, waterbuck, bushbuck, hartebeest, bohor reedbuck and the ever-cheeky warthog. Every time I’ve been here, I’ve seen flamingos, although rarely in great numbers. Hippos and crocs also inhabit the pools in the south and east of the crater.”

4

What kind of vehicle can I expect?

“Your operator will take you down into, and around, Ngorongoro Crater in a 4WD vehicle. What you won’t see in Ngorongoro, or anywhere else in Tanzania, are the white minivans with open roof hatches that are so common in Kenya. It depends on the company, but most use open-sided vehicles, with anywhere between three and five rows of comfortable tiered seating. Such vehicles have roofs but no walls, meaning that you’ll feel really close to the animals you see, even as you remain completely safe. I’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve been so close that I could have reached out and touched a lion as it walked past. It doesn’t matter how many times it happens, it’s still a thrilling experience. Most of these vehicles also have space for picnic hampers and drinks fridges, for those essential stops when you get down from the vehicle somewhere that it’s safe to do so, and stretch your legs. Some vehicles even have a spotter’s seat, out near the front-left headlights, where a guide will sit and keep an eye out for interesting animal tracks. Smaller groups may travel in enclosed 4WD vehicles.”

5

Ngorongoro Crater Reviews

4.6/5 540 Reviews
Expert
Christopher Clark  –  
United Kingdom UK

Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines.

Tanzania’s Garden of Eden
5/5

I would wager that anyone who has been to Ngorongoro Crater will never forget their first view of it from the rim some 500 feet above: the dense green forests, the saline Lake Magadi coruscating in the sun at the heart of it, the myriad...

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Expert
Harriet Nimmo  –  
South Africa ZA

Harriet is a zoologist with more than 20 years’ experience. She has the privilege of working with the world’s top wildlife photographers and photo-guides.

Top of the Bucket List
5/5

It was my childhood dream to see the Ngorongoro Crater, and I feared it would not live up to my expectations. However, it spectacularly exceeded them – truly taking my breath away. I realise this is a well-worn phrase, but the Ngorongoro...

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Antal Bekefi  –  
Hungary HU
Reviewed: Nov 13, 2024
5/5

Probably the most unique, natural beauty, compact size and high density of animals. Feels a bit crowded due to its relatively smaller size and popularity. Lots of animals, hyenas, lions, buffalos, hypos, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes,...

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Paul Grimaldi  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Nov 3, 2024
5/5

From the rim of the crater it is hard to understand just how vast this are is. One may spot a few dots that may be animals but it can look pretty empty. Then, once down into the crater one sees that it is teeming with life. Wildebeest and...

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Eric Barter  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Oct 21, 2024
5/5

Descending into the crater is just breathtaking. The fact that this crater was once a Massive volcano that collapsed in on itself and then created this habitable land for hundreds of thousands of animals is unreal. The weather was also...

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Maria  –  
Denmark DK
Reviewed: Oct 10, 2024
5/5

The most scenic and exciting route to go into the crater. All the animals live within the big crater, it has a Paradise feel to it. We saw so many wonderful animals here, even a rhino from some distance.

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All 540 Ngorongoro Crater Reviews