Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is a breath-takingly beautiful setting and the best place to see the Big Five in East Africa. It’s a fantastic way to get your African safari adventure started. The Ngorongoro Crater, as one of the world’s most amazing and well-known natural wonders, does, however, get busy, and at times very busy. We recommend a two-night stay here due to the crowds, then moving on to the Serengeti for a more quiet and private safari experience.
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s most beautiful natural wildlife safari sites and an excellent place to interact with the Maasai people. Any northern Tanzania safari should ideally include a visit there.
Together, the Ngorongoro Crater and its surrounding highlands form one of Africa’s most beautiful regions. Volcanic craters provide a stunning backdrop to some of Africa’s most fertile and abundant grazing grounds. Ngorongoro, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and home to Africa’s highest density of big game, is without a doubt the most famous of these craters. Ngorongoro is unquestionably one of Africa’s most well-known safari destinations.
Ngorongoro Crater Weather-When to Go
There is no good or bad time to visit because the wildlife mostly stays in the crater all year. However, because the crater floor can become congested with vehicles during peak season, it may be more pleasant to visit during the off-season. Higher water levels in Lake Magadi (in the crater’s center) result in higher flamingo concentrations. You can count on great safari action whenever you visit Ngorongoro. Because of the unique microclimate of the Ngorongoro, a Ngorongoro safari can be enjoyed all year.
- Taking the road from Arusha Depending on the size of your group, sharing a private vehicle and guide from the time you are picked up from your international flight at Kilimanjaro Airport until you fly out of the Ngorongoro region may be less expensive. If you’re driving, you should spend a night either side of your crater descent, either in a camp on the crater rim or in the Ngorongoro Highlands, which is only a 20-minute drive away. This means you can beat the crowds by arriving early at the gates!
- Taking off from Arusha, You can fly into Lake Manyara airstrip and be picked up by the camp if you are staying at a “fly-in” camp, which means your guide and vehicle are provided by the camp rather than a ground handler from Arusha. If your group is small, this is a good option because flying is less expensive than driving from Arusha in a private vehicle.
The Ngorongoro Crater, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was formed around 3 million years ago when a massive volcano erupted and collapsed. The volcanic caldera’s cone collapsed inwards, forming what is now known as one of Africa’s and the world’s most unique safari parks. A one-of-a-kind safari experience brimming with life.
