1 Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari

A day tour to Ngorongoro Crater will provide an opportunity to discover Tanzania wildlife through a one-day game drive activity. Start your safari in Arusha, then drive to Ngorongoro, and then return to Arusha in the evening after a full day of wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater, located within the confines of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Authority is the largest caldera in the world and the second-largest extinct crater, located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority; a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, with a magnificent concentration of species. Ngorongoro was once an active volcano whose cone fell eight million years ago, forming the massive crater we see today. The rim of the crater is covered in mountain forest flora.

Within the Northern Highland Forest Reserve, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority recently took full management of one of its trails (NHFR). Previously, all trips into the forest were organized by Gibbs Farm Lodge, which is located only a few meters outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority line to the south.

The Ngorongoro Maasai Boma Cultural Day Trip

While doing a game drive to the Ngorongoro crater, you will come across a number of Maasai Villages like the Nainokanoka Maasai Village. This is a perfect opportunity to take a brief stop along the way and partake in a Maasai cultural tour that will give you the chance to interact with the natives of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Immerse yourself in these cultural tours, indulge in Maasai traditional songs and dances, and even taste the Maasai food as you enjoy living the Maasai way of life, and hear their stories about their history, culture, and love for livestock, including cows, etc.

How to get to Ngorongoro Crater

Anyone may get there by driving along the 160-kilometer road from Arusha to the Lodoare Gate entry gate. The road was just constructed, and the entire drive takes around two hours and is entirely on the tarmac. When visiting the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, a 4×4 safari vehicle is required unless you stick on the main roads, which are graveled.

This 1-day Ngorongoro tour starts and ends in Arusha
Book your own international flights
Fly to/from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) near Arusha/Moshi. Or fly to/from Arusha Airport (ARK) via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya)
Transport from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged at an extra cost on request

Best time for Ngorongoro Crater Safari

You can tour the Ngorongoro crater at any time of year, but the best time for safaris in the entire Ngorongoro Conservation Area is during the dry season, which runs from the months of June to October and is when animals can be spotted around water points or water sources. Safaris around the Ngorongoro crater may be done at any time of year, including during the rainy season.

You’ll leave Arusha early in the morning at around 6:00 am to see the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

You will descend the Ngorongoro Crater for the crater tour after completing the requisite registration processes at the Loduare National Park Gate. This 100-square-mile natural amphitheater is home to a diverse range of species, including Rhino, Elephant, and Lion, as well as enormous herds of Zebras and Wildebeests. Inside the crater bottom, a picnic lunch box will be brought – late in the afternoon, you will depart the crater and travel back to Arusha, where you will spend overnight on your own arrangements.

Elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and a variety of other grazers and carnivores may be found in this UNESCO world heritage site.

The Ngorongoro crater is known as “Africa’s Eden” and is a must-see attraction. At 2286 meters above sea level, the Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest intact caldera. It is home to up to 30000 animals, with wildebeest and zebra accounting for over half of them.

In addition, the crater is one of the few spots in East Africa where tourists may be confident of sighting a black rhino. The Ngorongoro Conservation Region was formed as a multi-use area with the goals of preserving natural resources, protecting indigenous inhabitants’ rights, and promoting tourism.

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch (Breakfast & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

The cost for the one day Ngorongoro safari includes and excludes the following items

1 Day Ngorongoro Safari Price includes

Park fees

Game drives and acitivities

All accommodation

A professional driver/ safari guide

All transportation

All Taxes/VAT

Roundtrip airport transfer

Meals

Water / Coffee / Tea or Soft Drinks

Price Excludes

International flights

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tanzania Visa

Gratuity

Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

Meals not listed above

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Admission fees to access the Ngorongoro Crater and Conservation Area, in general, are one of the costs that travelers incur when on safari in Tanzania.

The following are the entrance costs for safaris to the Ngorongoro crater:

Non-East African residents above the age of 16 pay a 70.8 USD admission price, while minors between the ages of 5 and 16 are charged a 23.6 USD entrance cost during safaris to the Ngorongoro crater.

During safaris to the Ngorongoro crater, East African citizens and Tanzanians are paid an entrance fee of 11,800 Tanzania shillings for individuals over the age of 16, while minors aged 5 to 16 are charged a cost of 2,360 Tanzania shillings.

The admission cost for residents and expats visiting the Ngorongoro crater is 35.4 USD for those over the age of 16, and 11.8 USD for those between the ages of 5 and 16. Safaris to the Ngorongoro crater do not charge admission fees for children under the age of five.

Entrance fees to the Ngorongoro Crater in 2022-2023

The crater service fee, which is levied per vehicle, is another expense payable by tourists on their safaris to the Ngorongoro crater. The crater service charge for Tanzanian citizens and East Africans is 11,800 Tanzania shillings per car, whereas the crater service price for non-east African citizens is 295 USD per vehicle.

When visiting the Ngorongoro crater, visitors may participate in a variety of activities such as game drives, nature walks, hot air balloon safaris, cultural excursions, and bird viewing.

Species like flamingos, as well as many other birds, maybe observed along the beaches of Lake Magadi on bird-watching excursions surrounding the Ngorongoro crater. The location is home to approximately 400 bird species, including kori bustards, ostriches, grey crowned cranes, and many others.

Walking Safari Fees in Ngorongoro

Fees for walking safari guides throughout the Ngorongoro conservation area are 23.6 USD for non-east African residents over the age of 16, and 11.8 USD for youngsters under the age of 16.

East Africans over the age of 16 are paid 11800 Tanzania shillings for walking safaris around the Ngorongoro crater, while children under 16 are charged 5,900 Tanzania shillings.

The cost of a walking safari around the Ngorongoro crater is determined by the length of the trek, which can range from 1 to 4 hours and can exceed 4 hours. The Endoro nature path and the elephant caverns are two areas where walks are conducted during safaris.

Ngorongoro Crater Camping Fees

For non-east African people camping at public campsites in the Ngorongoro crater, the price is 35.4 USD for individuals over the age of 16, and 11.8 USD for youngsters between the ages of 5 and 16. Tanzanian nationals aged 16 and over are paid a cost of 11,800 Tanzania shillings, while minors aged 5 to 16 are charged a price of 5,900 Tanzania shillings.

Costs for East African Residents and Tourists

Non-East African citizens staying at special campsites during safaris in the Ngorongoro crater are paid a price of 70.8 USD for those over the age of 16, and 35.4 USD for those between the ages of 5 and 16.

East African and Tanzanian nationals above the age of 16 must pay a cost of 17,000 Tanzania shillings, while children between the ages of 5 and 16 must pay a price of 8,850 Tanzania shillings.

Olduvai gorge, the Empakaai crater, Olmoti crater, the Laetoli footprints, and Ol Donyo Lengai are some of the attractions that may be observed on safaris near the Ngorongoro crater.

Non-East African residents above the age of 16 are taxed 35.4 USD for excursions to the Ol Duvai canyon, while minors under the age of 16 are charged 11.8 USD.

East African citizens, on the other hand, must pay a fee of 5,900 Tanzania shillings for those aged 16 and over, and 1,180 Tanzania shillings for those aged 5 to 16.

Concession Fees for Ngorongoro

Concession fees are also levied to visitors staying at hotels and permanent tented camps on safaris around the Ngorongoro crater. Non-east African nationals over the age of 16 pay a concession cost of 59 USD, while children between the ages of 5 and 16 pay a price of 11.8 USD. East African nationals over the age of 16 pay 35,400 Tanzania shillings in concession fees, while minors from 5 to 16 pay 11,800 Tanzania shillings in concession fees.

The fees collected during safaris to the Ngorongoro crater are valid for one admission only and are valid for 24 hours. During safaris to the Ngorongoro crater, children under the age of five are not paid any costs.