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Ngorongoro Crater

  • Destinations
  • Tanzania
  • Ngorongoro Crater
OVERVIEW ITINERARY IDEAS ACCOMMODATION WHEN TO GO? WHERE NEXT

Where Next

Best Combinations with the Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is usually experienced as part of a bigger safari itinerary that includes Tanzania’s other safari destinations. The most popular of these combinations is the Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara – the Northern Safari Circuit. But Tanzania holds other surprises too: chimpanzee-filled rainforests and tropical beaches as well as more remote big game destinations such as Ruaha and Katavi National Parks. Here are our favourite combinations with the Ngorongoro Crater.

Masai Mara

If you miss the migration in the Serengeti, you can be sure it’s in the Masai Mara. Kenya’s flagship reserve hosts the migration between June and October and it’s easy to reach from Tanzania’s safari logistics hub – the town of Arusha, located a few hours’ drive from the crater.

Serengeti National Park

The crater sits on the Serengeti plains themselves, making the legendary Serengeti National Park or one of its adjoining private concessions an easy combination with Ngorongoro. The migrating wildebeest and zebra herds are in the Serengeti between November and August but if you can’t make the season, don’t worry. Such is the Serengeti’s scale of wildlife that it is a year-round game viewing destination.

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Zanzibar

The Indian Ocean’s mystical island of Zanzibar provides the sand-between-the-toes finale to your Ngorongoro Crater safari. Choose from boutique beachside retreats, family-friendly resorts and historical hotels located in the capital Stone Town, a World Heritage Site. Activities range from diving, snorkelling and spice tours to swimming with dolphins and whale sharks.

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The Crater

What to do at the Ngorongoro Crater

1. Spot the Big Five

Africa’s most sought-after sightings – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard & rhino – can be enjoyed with ease at the Ngorongoro Crater; indeed, it’s not unusual to see all five in a single game drive.

2. Search for Predators

Lions & leopards join a long cast of predators in the Ngorongoro Crater: cheetah & spotted hyena are also resident along with jackal, wild cats & many birds of prey.

3. Stay on the Rim

There are exclusive lodges on the rim of the crater: not only will you get truly spectacular views but you’ll also be among the first onto the crater floor for the morning game drive.

4. Bring the Family

Easy game viewing, a comfortable climate & family accommodation – the Ngorongoro welcomes families with children, providing special activities, meal times & even childminders.

5. Live on a Plantation

There’s a choice of accommodation located away from the Crater; our favourite ones are set on picturesque old-world coffee plantations, complete with spa & massage service. (Ngorongoro Crater Rim or Karatu)

6. Visit a Local Community

Maasai communities dot the Ngorongoro landscape & several lodges offer the chance to visit local villages, chat to locals & gain an insight into life on the savannah.

7. Crater View Walk

This popular late afternoon walk along the western rim of the Ngorongoro Crater allows guests to experience various natural habitats, including the acacia woodland, thick lush forests and open grasslands.

8. Crater Floor Banquet

After your scenic descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoy a tasty hot lunch served in breathtaking surroundings at a private picnic spot on the Crater floor, in the midst of the wildlife action.

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