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
“Excellent staff. Casey was extremely responsive in planning the trip. I had certain things I did and didn’t want to do, he tailored our experience accordingly (and with keeping our budget in mind). The trip was perfectly proportioned, mostly because of him. Our guide on the ground, Wilfred, spent 12 days with us. We couldn’t have asked for someone better. We became comfortable companions, easily sitting together in silence over long drives or telling stories during dinner. He didn’t wait for us to ask something, he anticipated our needs. When he saw we didn’t finish our lunch boxes, he asked us what we liked and didn’t like. He made sure to relay the information to the hotels and we finished out lunches going forward. He saw I had an itch to get into the Wildebeest migration. Even though it was far away and our chances of finding it could be small, he made sure it happened. The staff set everything apart, especially when we compared it to our tour companies we saw in the area.”