Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO); Lake Manyara and Ndutu airstrips nearby
Tanzania
Cool because of the altitude
Year-round travel
Lion
10 key species listed
3 to 5 Nights
Tailored itinerary
Wildlife is on the crater floor all year, and the dry months from June to October are easiest
High & Green seasons
About Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Destination Guide
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area, not a national park, and its crater is one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife in one day. It suits first-time safari guests, short trips and anyone who wants a high chance of seeing lions, hippos and black rhino.
The day starts with a steep drive down the crater wall in the early morning. On the crater floor you drive across grassland, a soda lake and forest, with elephants, buffalo and zebra in view, and you picnic by a hippo pool. You drive back up before the afternoon traffic.
The trade-off is crowds. The crater is small compared with the Serengeti and many vehicles go down at the same time, so an early start helps. Time on the crater floor is limited to about six hours. Maasai herders also live in the conservation area and share the land with wildlife.
Ngorongoro sits between Lake Manyara and the Serengeti, so it fits most northern circuit trips. Many guests finish the safari with a flight to Zanzibar (direct flights take about 1 hour 10 minutes). Olduvai Gorge, a famous early human site, is also in the area.
Getting Here, Transport & Climate
Ngorongoro is about a half day's drive from Arusha on a good road. It lies on the usual road between Lake Manyara and the Serengeti. See the northern circuit safari tours.
Overland travel in customized Toyota Land Cruisers featuring pop-up roofs for 360° wildlife viewing, USB charging sockets, high-clearance suspension, and a cooler with chilled bottled water.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Interactive Map & Terrain
Explore the geographic coordinates, boundaries, local airstrips, and surrounding wilderness circuits of Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Weather, Climate & Seasonal Advice
Wildlife is on the crater floor all year, and the dry months from June to October are easiest. Go early to avoid the traffic. Rain makes the crater road slippery from March to May.
Cool because of the altitude. The crater rim is cold in the morning and often misty, so bring warm layers. The dry months are June to October. The long rains fall from March to May.
Highlights & Wildlife in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Key Wildlife & Marine Species
Signature Highlights
Ngorongoro Crater: a huge volcanic caldera with wildlife on its floor
Black rhino, lions and big tusked elephants
Lake Magadi: a soda lake with flamingos in some seasons
Picnic by the hippo pool
Olduvai Gorge: a famous site for early human fossils
Empakaai Crater and walks on the highlands
Maasai culture in the conservation area
Activities & Things to Do in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater Tour
The day starts with a steep drive down the crater wall in the early morning. On the crater floor you cross grassland, a soda lake and forest, with elephants, buffalo and zebra in view, and a good chance of lions, hippos and black rhino. You picnic by a hippo pool. You drive back up before the afternoon traffic. The crater is small compared with the Serengeti and many vehicles go down at once, so an early start helps. Wildlife is never guaranteed.
Featured Safaris & Tours in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Explore our custom travel itineraries for Ngorongoro Conservation Area
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Ngorongoro Conservation Area: أفضل وقت للزيارة
Wildlife is on the crater floor all year, and the dry months from June to October are easiest. Go early to avoid the traffic. Rain makes the crater road slippery from March to May.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area: كيفية الوصول
Ngorongoro is about a half day's drive from Arusha on a good road. It lies on the usual road between Lake Manyara and the Serengeti. See the northern circuit safari tours.