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Tanzania · East Africa · Safari

Ngorongoro Crater

A vast volcanic caldera packed with wildlife, one of the best places to see black rhino.

Best timeJun to Feb
Ideal stay1 to 2 nights
GatewayKilimanjaro (JRO) or Arusha
Month by month
  1. JAnuary (good)
  2. FEbruary (good)
  3. MArch
  4. APril
  5. MAy
  6. JUne (good)
  7. JUly (good)
  8. AUgust (good)
  9. SEptember (good)
  10. OCtober (good)
  11. NOvember (good)
  12. DEcember (good)

Travel advice: some regions are off-limits. Check your government’s advice for the exact areas before you book.

Ngorongoro is a collapsed volcano about 20 kilometres across, with its own small world of lions, elephants, flamingos and endangered black rhinos on the crater floor. The view from the rim is one of Africa’s great sights.

South-western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis occidentalis) femaleBlack rhinoMale lion on savannaLionAfrican bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) female with six-week-old babyElephantFlock of Lesser Flamingo along with juvenile near Jamnagar railway stationDSCN1798 1FlamingoSpotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) SerengetiSpotted hyenaCape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) bullCape buffalo

Highlights

  • Black rhino on the crater floor
  • Lake Magadi’s flamingos
  • Big-tusked elephant bulls
  • Olduvai Gorge nearby

Wildlife to look for

Where to stay

Lodges sit on the crater rim with sweeping views; there are cheaper options in Karatu, about 30 minutes away.

Getting there

About 3 to 4 hours’ drive from Arusha, usually combined with the Serengeti and Tarangire.

Tips

  • Go down as early as the gates allow to beat the crowds.
  • The rim is cold at night, so pack a warm layer.
  • Crater floor time is limited per vehicle per day.

Best time to visit

Jun to Feb. See where to go in Africa in January and our guide to the best time to visit Africa.

Travel advice: Parts of the country are off-limits under most government travel advice. Check your government’s advice before booking.

Plan your stay

Hotels on Booking.com Tours on GetYourGuide Tours on Viator

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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater?

Jun to Feb. Go down as early as the gates allow to beat the crowds.

How long should I spend at Ngorongoro Crater?

1 to 2 nights.

How do I get to Ngorongoro Crater?

About 3 to 4 hours’ drive from Arusha, usually combined with the Serengeti and Tarangire.

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Serengeti National Park

Endless plains, big cats and the Great Migration year-round in different parts of the park.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 3 to 4 nights

Masai Mara

Kenya’s most famous reserve, with dense big cat populations and the migration from about July to October.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 3 to 4 nights

Zanzibar

Spice island beaches and the winding alleys of UNESCO-listed Stone Town.

Jun to Oct, Dec to Feb 4 to 7 nights

Mount Kilimanjaro

Africa’s highest mountain, a non-technical climb through five climate zones.

Jan to Feb, Jun to Oct 6 to 9 days