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Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip
Day Tours

Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip

A private full-day trip from Arusha down into Ngorongoro Crater, for game drives on the crater floor among lions, buffalo, wildebeest and, with luck, black rhino

1
Day
2
Destinations
$295
From / Person

Overview

Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip

Ngorongoro Crater is a huge collapsed volcano whose floor holds one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The drive from Arusha takes about three and a half hours, so this is a long day, but it is the one place you can reach from town in a day and stand a real chance of seeing four of the Big Five.

You descend the crater wall in the morning and spend several hours on the floor among herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo, with lions, hyenas, hippos and elephants. The crater is also one of the few places in Tanzania where you may see black rhino.

Lunch is a picnic on the crater floor before the climb out and the drive back to Arusha.

1 Days / 0 Nights
Duration
Arusha, Ngorongoro Crater
Destinations
1-7 Guests
Group Size
Easy
Difficulty

Travel logistics

Start / Finish

Start

  • Arusha

Finish

  • Arusha

Highlights

What Makes This Safari Special

1

Game drives on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater

2

A chance of black rhino, one of the few places in Tanzania

3

Lions, buffalo, elephants and huge herds of wildebeest and zebra

4

The view over the crater from the rim

5

Picnic lunch on the crater floor

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

An early start from Arusha and the drive up to the crater rim. Descend to the crater floor for game drives among lions, buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, with a chance of black rhino, and a picnic lunch on the floor. Climb out in the afternoon and drive back to Arusha.

L

Good to know

A long day: about seven hours on the road in total, so expect a 5:30 to 6 AM pickup and to be back around 7 to 8 PM. If you can, an overnight in Karatu makes it far more relaxed; ask us.

Time on the crater floor: limited by the conservation area rules, which is why the start is so early.

Cold on the rim: the rim is above 2,200 metres, so bring a warm layer for the morning.

Fees: Ngorongoro charges a conservation fee per person and a crater service fee per vehicle, both included in your quote.

Essentials

The day, step by step

Times are a guide. Your guide adjusts the day to the roads, the weather and how you want to spend it.

5:30 AM: pickup in Arusha
West through Mto wa Mbu and the farming town of Karatu, then up through the highland forest to the crater rim.
About 9:00 AM: descend into the crater
The road winds down the crater wall to the floor, about 600 metres below the rim.
Morning: game drive
Across the grassland, past Lake Magadi and the swamps, wherever the lions, rhino and herds are that day.
Midday: picnic lunch
At the picnic site on the crater floor.
Afternoon: climb out and drive back
More game viewing on the way to the exit road, then the drive back to Arusha, arriving around 7 to 8 PM.

Price per person

Private transport is the main fixed cost, so the price per person falls as the group grows. Prices are per person in USD; the group size counts everyone in the vehicle, children included. Peak season runs 16 May to 14 March, low season 15 March to 15 May. Children are under 16.

1 traveller
Peak season: US$895 per adult. Low season: US$825 per adult.
2 travellers
Peak season: US$535 per adult, US$480 per child. Low season: US$500 per adult, US$445 per child.
3 travellers
Peak season: US$415 per adult, US$360 per child. Low season: US$390 per adult, US$335 per child.
4 travellers
Peak season: US$355 per adult, US$300 per child. Low season: US$340 per adult, US$285 per child.
5 travellers
Peak season: US$320 per adult, US$265 per child. Low season: US$305 per adult, US$250 per child.
6 travellers
Peak season: US$295 per adult, US$240 per child. Low season: US$285 per adult, US$230 per child.

What to bring

Bring a hat, sunscreen, a light jacket for the early start, binoculars if you have them, and a camera or phone. Wear neutral colours if you can. Add a warm fleece or jacket for the crater rim in the morning.

Prices

What it costs, per person

Prices in USD, per person sharing. The more of you there are, the less each pays.

Your group

2 travellers

$535per person$1,070total for 2 travellers

Classic · 2 guests rate. The exact figure is confirmed for your dates.

Classic

A full-service expedition: professional mountain crew, quality camping, all park fees and meals.

1 guest
$895
2 guests
$535
3 guests
$415
4 guests
$355
5 guests
$320
6 guests
$295

Park fees, accommodation, meals as listed, a private vehicle and your driver-guide are included. International flights are not. Rates move with the season. Tell us your dates and we will confirm the exact figure.

Ask a specialist

What's Included

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, for your group only
  • Professional English-speaking Gosheni driver-guide
  • Pickup from and drop-off at your hotel in Arusha
  • Ngorongoro conservation fee and crater service fee
  • Hamper lunch
  • Bottled mineral water, soft drinks, tea and coffee
  • Safari hat
  • Government tax

Not Included

  • Accommodation in Arusha
  • Airport transfers, unless booked separately
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips for your guide
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses and activities not listed

Questions

Frequently Asked

Yes. It is a long day, about three and a half hours each way, with several hours on the crater floor in between. Pickup is around 5:30 to 6 AM and you are back around 7 to 8 PM.

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