Ngorongoro Crater
Description: The Ngorongoro Crater is a sunken volcano, or better termed the largest intact volcanic caldera. The view from the crest of the crater will provide you with an expansive sight of the entire crater that spans 260 square kilometers.
The relationship between the Maasai tribe and the Ngorongoro eco-system is equally impressive. The Maasai herd their cattle into and out of the crater daily for water, leading their cattle to water alongside the “Big 5.”
The crater is relatively small and can often feel like there are a lot of vehicles, but it is still a must-see on most itineraries. One visit to the floor of the crater is usually enough, unless it is important to increase your chances of seeing a rhino in the Northern Parks.
Location: Northern circuit, 4 hours outside Arusha on the way to the Serengeti
Things 2 Do: Game Drives, Hiking, Nature Walk, Visit a Maasai Boma, Visit Olduvai Gorge
Time: 1 day is usually enough to see the crater, not more than 2 days. The Ngorongoro Conservation Authority limits game drives in the crater from 6 am to 6 pm (must have exited the Crater before 6 pm)
Animals: One of the few places you have a chance to spot rhinos. One can also find Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, Zebra, Giraffe, Warthog, Hyena, Hippo, Wildebeest, and Ostrich
Accommodations
$
A2T Camping (public campsites)
Crater Rim View Inn (Karatu)
$$
Baghayo Garden Suites (Karatu)
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge (Karatu)
Country Lodge (Karatu)
Kankari Lodge (Karatu)
Marera Valley Lodge (Karatu)
Martina’s Retreat (Karatu)
Octagon Safari Lodge (Karatu)
$$$
Crater Forest Tented Lodge (Karatu)
Endoro Lodge (Karatu)
Farm House Valley (Karatu)
Kudu Lodge (Karatu)
Ngorongoro Kuhama Camp
Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge (Karatu)
Ngorongoro Farm House (Karatu)
Ngorongoro Forest Tented Camp (Karatu)
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION 2025)
Ngorongoro Tortilis Camp
Plantation Lodge (Karatu)
Rhino Lodge (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION 2025)
Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge (Karatu)
Tloma Lodge (Karatu)
$$$$
Gibbs Cottages (Karatu)
Kitela Lodge (Karatu)
Lemala Ngorongoro Camp
Lion’s Paw Camp
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
The Retreat at Ngorongoro (Karatu)
$$$$$
Entamanu
The Highlands
Lemala Osonjoi Lodge
The Manor at Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (CLOSED FOR RENOVATION 2025)
Ngorongoro Lodge Melia Collection
Turaco Ngorongoro Valley (Karatu)
Wilderness Collection: Crater’s Edge
“Top notch! Everything was well planned. The lodging was amazing. My favorite was Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. It was located about 8000 feet in a very lush forest, constructed of river rock and polished African hardwoods – absolutely beautiful! The website pictures of all the places we stayed looked nice but the actual experience of staying at these places was well beyond expectations. Whenever we went to a new destination there was always some one to greet us, take us to our hotels, airport, etc.
Access 2 Tanzania attended to every detail including all the arrangements for our post-safari extension to Zanzibar. The hotels provided great breakfasts and dinners and even the boxed lunches we ate out in the “bush” were pretty decent. Our guide, Maningo, was excellent. He truly wanted all of us to have the best African experiences. If we ever travel to Africa in the future, Access 2 Tanzania will be our first choice.”