A safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, a Tanzanian wonder
Last update: 06/11/2026
Our blog continues to grow thanks to you, our readers. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we can earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. This helps us to continue to bring you more and support our work!
A few years ago, I had the chance to fulfil one of my childhood dreams: going on a photo safari. I was living in Mayotte back then, and the opportunity came up. In a first article, I already shared my impressions and feelings about Lake Manyara National Park, the first park we visited when we arrived. Here is the next part: our safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, still in northern Tanzania, in the country’s highlands.
A safari in Africa remains a unique experience, an exceptional trip, and it is clearly impossible not to be amazed by all this wildlife and these magnificent landscapes. The African continent scares many people away, yet it offers a chance to discover nature like nowhere else. A real immersion off the beaten track. I often say that the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever seen during our travels, one of the wonders of the world, with a very high concentration of wild animals. Inside this caldera lies a savannah where many herds come to graze. Its ecosystem is extremely rich, and you will almost certainly be able to observe many mammals on this grassy plain.
The Ngorongoro Crater, a caldera in the Great Rift Valley
The Ngorongoro Crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, located southeast of the famous Serengeti National Park, you know, the one you often see in wildlife documentaries about Africa! Located in the middle of the African Rift, this crater is surrounded by high peaks and several lakes, including the very famous Lake Natron and its flamingos to the northeast. This large park is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That says a lot, right? The crater area has the distinctive feature of having been formed after the collapse of an ancient volcano more than two million years ago.
Today, it is considered the largest crater on the surface of the Earth, with an area of about 326 km². For those who struggle to picture it, it is a hole 22 kilometres wide and 610 m deep!
You reach it via a superb, spectacular dirt road, basically, you eat dust for hours, from which you can admire breathtaking scenery and very rich surrounding wildlife.
The Ngorongoro Crater - a high concentration of wildlife
What strikes you most when arriving in this park is the climate, which is very different from what we had experienced in Lake Manyara National Park or even in the Serengeti. We arrived at the end of the afternoon, and I remember taking out our fleece jackets in the evening because it really wasn’t that warm. As a reminder, we are here at more than 2,000 m above sea level, so the average temperature is much lower.
Arriving at the camp is already a great moment. An endless, breathtaking view, the kind I had rarely seen before, opens up right in front of us. All we have to do is enjoy it! We feel perfectly ready to continue this safari in the Ngorongoro Crater!
The safari begins with a 5 am wake-up call and a climb to watch the sunrise over this huge crater. Honestly, this is something you have to do at least once in your life if you get the chance. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! The power of the sunrise overlooking this immensity is extraordinary, a truly rewarding moment. We spent about fifteen minutes there with our small group, simply observing this fleeting paradise.
After this splendid sunrise, we set off on the descent into this magnificent crater. The early morning light is simply superb. It is the perfect moment to observe the first animals waking up, while also being able to take beautiful photos. Giraffes, gazelles, zebras, elephants: it is honestly magical. It is even possible to get quite close to many of these animals.
All along the road, we can observe the crater’s local wildlife: zebras, antelopes, hyenas, wildebeest, buffaloes and more. After a while, we cross a magical forested area, with lush vegetation and huge trees. It almost looks like a plantation in the middle of a meadow.
The rest of the day is spent driving our 4×4 along the crater’s dirt tracks, quietly observing the local wildlife. The landscapes are breathtaking, far beyond what you might imagine or what photos can show, even though I’m rather proud of some of them.
During a break, we noticed something in the distance that caught our eye. It was a group of crows tearing apart a dead wildebeest. The scene was incredible; we felt as though we were watching a documentary on TV, but with the smell as a bonus!
We were even lucky enough to spot a wild rhino in the crater, not far from the shores of the lake.
A safari in the Ngorongoro Crater: my opinion
Between us, this is frankly one of the top 2 parks from this trip to Tanzania. I’m not even sure Serengeti National Park is “better”, to be honest. It is different, grandiose, but from another angle. This day of safari in the Ngorongoro Crater was extraordinary in every way, so please don’t hesitate to include it in your trip when preparing your itinerary. It is even a must: don’t miss this park!!!
Tips to remember for a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater
In the previous article on Lake Manyara National Park, I had already given you an overview of my safari tips. I won’t repeat everything here, but I’ll summarise the most important things you need to know before going on a Ngorongoro Crater safari. If you would like more details about my recommendations, have a look at the article about safari in Lake Manyara.
Book a cheap safari – Budget travellers
Here are a few tips to save money on your safari:
- Don’t go through a large safari agency, as they are usually really expensive,
- Travel as a group, ideally with friends, another couple or family,
- Choose a local independent guide, we chose Moses Cliff Mwanga, or even a local agency,
- Go camping rather than staying in a safari lodge!
Who did I go with?
As mentioned above, we went with a local Tanzanian guide, Moses Cliff Mwanga. The experience was great in every way. It was a “low-cost” safari, so to speak, compared with the large agencies you find around. Good to know:
- You will sleep every night in a tent,
- You will eat simple but generous meals,
- You will also be eating dust for a whole week!
We had opted for a type 3B safari, namely: Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti Park (2 days), Ngorongoro Crater, and finally Tarangire Park.
Any recommendations for affordable plane tickets to Tanzania?
Here is what you should remember about international flights:
- The main gateway for a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater is the city of Arusha, in northern Tanzania,
- The easiest option is to land at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), not to be confused with the local airport of Arusha (ARK).
I always recommend taking a look at this flight comparison site to find the cheapest flights.
A safari in the Ngorongoro Crater: when to go?
Quite frankly, you can go there all year round, but depending on the season, you will have more or less heat and more or less rain.
A Tanzania safari: which period should you choose?
The ideal period is from May to September/October. This is the great migration period, mainly in Tarangire and Ngorongoro: the best time to see plenty of animals. It is also the least rainy season.
The birth period?
It is between January and March, which is also the dry/hot season and the beginning of the rainy season in the area. We chose this season, in February 2015, and we did not have any rain!
The rainy season?
The rainy season basically runs from March to May. The tracks are less accessible, and wildlife is harder to observe.
A safari between October and December in Tanzania?
This is the wet season, so showers and rain are possible. This period is often referred to as the “short rainy season”.
That’s it, I hope this safari trip in the Ngorongoro Crater has made you dream a little and that you now want to discover this beautiful area! What about you, have you already been on a photo safari in Tanzania? Or in another country, like Kenya? Maybe Botswana? I would be curious to hear your feedback and your impressions!
If you liked this article, then you’ll love the one about my safari in Serengeti National Park. I’ll also write one about Tarangire National Park soon. I invite all Africa lovers to discover the beautiful island of Ibo, in Mozambique.
If you have any questions about our guide, the organisation of the trip or anything else, leave me a comment at the bottom of the article!
Whatever you choose to do, I very often advise, as travel guides do, finishing your trip through the Tanzanian steppes with a week on Zanzibar Island and its beautiful paradise beaches. On the edge of the Indian Ocean, this island is perfect for resting after a week in a 4×4 and enjoying the gentle atmosphere of the lagoon. It will also be one of the highlights of your trip to Tanzania.
See you soon.
Written by Sylvain PONS
In 2015, Mélanie and I had the opportunity to discover Tanzania during a 2-week holiday. The programme included a safari in the national parks and on the island of Zanzibar!
Despite our care, a mistake may have slipped into this article. If you find any, please don't hesitate to let us know so we can correct it as soon as possible and keep our information up-to-date!
