Ngorongoro Crater
One descent onto the crater floor, 610 m below the rim. Cold at night at 2,286 m.
- From Moshi
- 3 hrs 45
- Nights we suggest
- 1–2
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Jan–Mar
- Trips including it
- 2
Why we go
The floor is 260 km² of grassland, swamp and soda lake with resident lion, elephant and around twenty black rhino. We descend early, before the vehicles from Karatu arrive, and are out again before the midday heat.
What you are likely to see
Lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhino, flamingo on Lake Magadi
Time on the floor
A single descent, roughly 5 hrs
Nights
Rim lodges are cold. Fires are lit by the time you arrive.
Park fees
Crater service fee included in every price we quote
When to come
What each season does to this park
Jun – Oct
Dry season
Game on the river, short grass, reliable sightings. Busiest and dearest.
Jan – Mar
Short dry
Quieter than the July peak, good light, herds still within reach of water.
Apr – May, Nov
Green season
Rain, long grass and dispersed game. Best birding, lowest rates, some tracks difficult.
Trips that include Ngorongoro Crater
Ways to see it
Every itinerary that includes it →
Next park on the road west
Tell us your dates and we will say whether it is worth the night
If your dates fall in the green season we will say so, and suggest where the game will actually be. A first reply comes from Moshi, usually within one working day.