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Simba Pride Safaris

Ngorongoro Crater

Northern circuit · Ngorongoro Crater

down intothe crater

A 600 metre deep caldera with its own lake, forest and grassland, and around 25,000 animals living inside. One morning on the floor is the most reliable big-game day in Africa.

  • Year-roundgame viewing
  • Jun to Sepclearest skies
  • 1 to 2nights on the rim
  • 3 hfrom Arusha
01

Overview

A 600 metre deep caldera with its own lake, forest and grassland, and around 25,000 animals living inside. One morning on the floor is the most reliable big-game day in Africa.

Wildlife highlights

  • Black rhino
  • Lion
  • Elephant
  • Buffalo
  • Flamingo
  • Hippo
  • Hyena
  • Serval
The floor

A whole ecosystem in one bowl

Lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and the last black rhino of the north, all within a 19 km circle.

The rim

Views from 2,300 m

Lodges and camps sit on the crater edge with the floor laid out below your breakfast table.

The people

Maasai still herd here

The conservation area is shared with Maasai families, who graze cattle beside the wildlife.

02

Season calendar

What happens when. Use it to pick your month, then ask us to confirm conditions before you book.

Clear skies & viewsJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Green crater floorJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Fewest vehiclesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Calving at Ndutu nearbyJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
03

Areas & highlights

Crater floor

Lake Magadi, Lerai forest and the open grassland. Six hours maximum inside, entering at dawn.

Best: any month
The rim

A ring of lodges and viewpoints at 2,300 m. Cold nights, unforgettable mornings.

Best: Jun to Oct
Karatu

The farming town 30 minutes from the gate with coffee lodges and value hotels.

Best: any month
Empakaai & Olmoti

Quieter craters to the north for hikes with a ranger and flamingo lakes.

Best: Jun to Feb
Olduvai Gorge

The cradle of mankind, on the road to the Serengeti. Museum and dig site.

Best: any month
04

Things to do

  • Crater descentSix hours on the floor, entering at dawn: the park allows six hours inside.
  • Rim walksGuided walks along the crater rim with a ranger, with views 600 m down.
  • Olduvai GorgeThe cradle of mankind museum and dig site, on the road to the Serengeti.
  • Maasai boma visitArranged with families in the conservation area, fees paid directly.
  • Empakaai Crater hikeA quieter crater to the north with a flamingo lake at the bottom.
05

Where to stay

BudgetSimba campsite on the rim, cold nights, huge views. From US$30 p.p.
Mid-rangeLodges and farmhouses around Karatu, 30 minutes from the gate. US$150 to 300 p.p.
LuxuryRim lodges with the crater below your window. US$500 and up.

By area

  • Rim: the view, but cold and pricier. Book early for Jun to Oct.
  • Karatu: more choice, warmer nights, 30 minutes to the gate.
  • Ndutu side: mobile camps in the south-west, Dec to Mar.

Indicative per-person high-season rates. We hold provisional space at a shortlist of lodges in each tier and book the one that fits your route.

06

Getting there & around

By road

3 hours from Arusha on tarmac to the Lodoare gate, 30 minutes more to the rim.

By air

Fly to Lake Manyara airstrip, 1 hour by road to the crater.

Tip

Descend at 6 am when the gate opens. The floor is busiest 9 to 11.

07

Trips that include Ngorongoro

7 days · 7 daysThe Great Migration ClassicFrom $1,890 p.p. 10 days · 10 daysSafari & Beach HoneymoonFrom $3,400 p.p. 4 days · 4 daysBig Five ExpressFrom $1,150 p.p. 6 days · 6 daysSerengeti Under CanvasFrom $2,450 p.p.
08

Best time to visit

Best months

JFMAMJJASOND
Jun to OctCool, clear, dusty. Best visibility and the busiest floor. Bring layers for the rim.
Dec to FebGreen floor, calving on the nearby Ndutu plains, short storms in the afternoon.
Mar to MayLong rains. Lush, empty and cheaper. Mist on the rim some mornings.
NovShort rains begin. Good value, few vehicles.
09

Practical notes

  • Crater fee: US$295 per vehicle per descent plus conservation fees, included in our prices.
  • Time limit: six hours on the floor, no picnicking outside designated sites.
  • Cold: rim nights drop to 8 C. A fleece and beanie for the dawn descent.
  • Altitude: 2,300 m on the rim, enough to notice on the stairs.
  • Toilets: at the picnic sites only. Plan accordingly.
10

Ngorongoro questions

Will I see rhino?

There are around 30 black rhino on the floor. Sightings are common but never guaranteed.

Is it cold?

The rim sits at 2,300 m. Nights drop to 8 C, bring a fleece.

Can I stay on the crater floor?

No. Lodges and camps are on the rim or in Karatu.

Can I do it as a day trip from Arusha?

Yes, but it is a long day with 6 hours' driving. An overnight in Karatu is far better.

Is one descent enough?

Almost always. The floor is small enough to cover well in six hours.

plan yourNgorongoro trip

Tell us your month and how many nights you have. We will say honestly what to expect, where to stay and how to link it with the rest of Tanzania.

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