Ngorongoro
THE WHOLE ECOSYSTEM
A volcanic caldera 20km across and 600m deep, holding roughly 25,000 large animals that mostly never leave. The best single day for the Big Five anywhere in Tanzania.
- Big Five in one day
- Black rhino
- UNESCO World Heritage
Private 4x4 Fleet
Guaranteed Window Seat
Local Expert Guides
Direct Operator Pricing
Why it is unlike anywhere else
A VOLCANO THAT
Two and a half million years ago a volcano the size of Kilimanjaro collapsed in on itself. What was left is a walled bowl with permanent water, permanent grass and walls steep enough that most animals never bother to leave.
You descend at dawn down a one-way track on the western wall and spend the day on a floor where lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and black rhino all live within a few kilometres of each other.
- The highest density of large mammals anywhere in Africa
- One of the last reliable places to see black rhino in the wild
- Descend at first light, before the day visitors arrive
Day by day
YOUR ITINERARY
Price from
On request
per person, private group
2 Days
Duration
25,000
Animals inside
1
Arusha to the crater rim
Drive west through Karatu’s coffee country and up onto the forested rim. The first view over the edge comes in the late afternoon.
- ~4 hrs driving
- Rim viewpoint
2
Dawn descent and full crater day
Down the one-way western track at first light, ahead of the day visitors. A full day on the floor with a picnic at Ngoitokitok Springs.
- Dawn descent
- Full day on the floor
What you came for
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Big Five In A Single Day
Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and black rhino all live on the crater floor. No other park gives you realistic odds on all five in one drive.
Black Rhino
A small, closely protected population grazes the Lerai Forest and the Gorigor Swamp. Your guide knows where they have been feeding.
Flamingos On Lake Magadi
The soda lake turns pink with lesser flamingo, with hippo pods wallowing in the shallows alongside them.
Maasai Culture
The conservation area is shared with Maasai pastoralists who still graze cattle on the rim. Village visits arranged on fair terms.
Crater Rim Views
Lodges on the rim look 600m straight down onto the floor. Morning cloud pours over the lip and burns off as the sun comes up.
Short Distances
Everything is close together, so drives are shorter than in the Serengeti. The easiest park to do with young children.
Timing it right
WHEN TO COME
The crater is reliable all year, which is rare in Tanzania.
June - October
Dry season
Short grass, concentrated animals and clear skies. The easiest viewing of the year, and the busiest.
November - May
Green season
The floor turns emerald and the birding is exceptional. Far fewer vehicles and lower rates.
Any month
Still worth it
Unlike the migration parks, the crater’s animals are resident year-round. There is no bad month, only quieter ones.
A look at it
NGORONGORO IN PICTURES
No surprises
WHAT'S IN,
Included
- All national park and conservation area fees
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking guide and driver
- Full-board lodge or tented camp accommodation
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- All transfers from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport
- Flying doctor emergency evacuation cover
Not included
- International flights and Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Balloon safari and other optional activities
- Guide and camp staff tips
- Alcoholic drinks and personal items
- Anything not listed under Included
Before you ask
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Will I get my own window seat?
Always. We cap every Land Cruiser below its seat count so nobody sits in the middle, and the pop-up roof means everyone can stand and shoot at once.
What is the best month for a safari?
June to October is the classic dry season. January to March is calving season on the Ndutu plains with extraordinary predator activity. April and May are green, quiet and much cheaper.
What kind of lodges will we stay in?
Three tiers: budget camps, mid-range lodges with pools, and luxury tented camps inside the parks. We quote all three so you can see the real difference before deciding.
Can children come on safari?
Yes. Ngorongoro and Tarangire involve shorter drives than the Serengeti, which makes them easier with young children.
Ngorongoro
READY WHEN
Send your dates and group size. We confirm availability and hold your place with a $200 deposit.