Ngorongoro Conservation Area · northern Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater
An intact volcanic caldera holding a resident population of game on its floor, year-round.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Typical access
- Road from Arusha or the Serengeti
- Usual stay
- 1 night on the rim or at Karatu
- Terrain
- Volcanic caldera floor, soda lake, swamp, forested rim at altitude
Overview
What Ngorongoro is.
Ngorongoro is the collapsed caldera of a volcano that was once higher than Kilimanjaro. The floor sits about 600 metres below the rim and covers roughly 260 square kilometres of grassland, swamp, soda lake and acacia forest.
Because the floor supports permanent water and grazing, most of its game stays put rather than migrating. That density is what makes a single crater day so productive — and it is also why the crater floor has strict access rules and a limited daily descent window.
The rim itself is cool, often misty, and has some of the most dramatic lodge outlooks in East Africa.
Wildlife
What you are likely to see.
- Black rhino, in one of the few places they are reliably seen
- Lion, with well-studied resident prides
- Elephant, including old bulls with heavy tusks
- Wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and eland on the floor
- Flamingo and hippo around Lake Magadi and the swamps
Experiences
How the days work here.
The crater descent
A half or full day on the crater floor, within the conservation area's access rules.
Rim viewpoints
The view across the caldera, usually clearest early.
Olduvai Gorge
An archaeological site within the conservation area, visited at own account.
Best time to visit
When to come to Ngorongoro.
- June – OctoberDry, clear, best road conditions on the descent.
- December – MarchGreen and quieter, with good floor viewing.
- April – MayLong rains. The rim is often in cloud.
Where you stay
Our shortlist at each level.
Properties Ndurumo may recommend or use at each level. Final accommodation is confirmed with your quotation and remains subject to availability.
Budget
Simba Campsite
Midrange
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, or similar
Luxury
Elewana The Manor at Ngorongoro, Gibb's Farm
Routes that include Ngorongoro
Safaris through here.
Tanzania · 3 daysclassic safari
3 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The shortest route that reaches both the Serengeti plains and the crater floor.
Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 3 daysclassic safari
3 Days Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire Safari
Three northern parks in three days, without the long run out to the Serengeti.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Tarangire · Arusha
Tanzania · 4 daysclassic safari
4 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The standard northern circuit shape, with Manyara as the way in.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 4 daysclassic safari
4 Days Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Two nights in the Serengeti, with a full day on the plains before the crater.
Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 5 daysclassic safari
5 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The northern circuit with room in it: three habitats and a full Serengeti day.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Tanzania · 6 daysclassic safari
6 Days Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater & Tarangire Safari
The complete northern circuit, finishing among the baobabs of Tarangire.
Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Tarangire · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 9 daysclassic safari
9 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Arusha, Lake Manyara & Ngorongoro
The Kenyan Rift Valley, then across the border to Manyara and the crater.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Lake Naivasha · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 10 daysclassic safari
10 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
One ecosystem seen from both sides, plus Kilimanjaro's shadow in between.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 11 daysclassic safari
11 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The ten-day circuit with Lake Manyara added, and less driving on the Tanzanian side.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Kenya & Tanzania · 12 daysclassic safari
12 Days Kenya & Tanzania: Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
The longest cross-border circuit, with a full stationary day in the Serengeti.
Nairobi · Maasai Mara · Lake Nakuru · Amboseli · Namanga · Arusha · Lake Manyara · Serengeti · Ngorongoro · Arusha
Questions
About Ngorongoro.
How long do you spend on the crater floor?
Access is time-limited by the conservation authority. Most itineraries plan a half-day descent; a full-day descent is possible on some permits and is priced separately.
Is the crater cold?
The rim sits above 2,200 metres and mornings are genuinely cold. Pack a warm layer even in the dry season.
Plan your safari
Build a trip around Ngorongoro.
Tell us your dates and how long you have, and we will shape a route that gives Ngorongoro the time it deserves.