Ngorongoro Crater - Africa's Eden - Alimakelele Tours

Ngorongoro Crater - Africa's Eden gallery 1

Ngorongoro Crater - Africa's Eden

New Tour
Tanzania

8

hours

Tour type

Adventure Tour
Duration

Full Day (8 Hours)
Language

English
Group Size

6

Overview

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called "Africa's Eden" and for good reason. This massive volcanic caldera, formed millions of years ago, is now a natural enclosure for an incredible concentration of wildlife. The crater floor, at 260 square kilometers, is home to over 25,000 large animals.

**Why You'll Love This Safari:**
✓ Best chance to see the Big Five in one day
✓ Descend into a UNESCO World Heritage Site
✓ See endangered black rhinos
✓ Incredible wildlife density
✓ Stunning views from the crater rim
✓ Professional safari guides

The crater supports an incredible density of wildlife including the endangered black rhino, large herds of wildebeest and zebras, and one of Africa's highest densities of lions and hyenas.

                                    Highlights:
                                     🦏 See endangered black rhinos
 🦁 Africa's highest lion density
 🐘 Large elephant herds
 🦒 Giraffes on the crater floor
 🏞️ Descend into a volcanic caldera
 🦩 Flamingos at Lake Magadi
 📸 Unmatched photography opportunities

                                

Itinerary

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Pickup from your hotel in Arusha at 5:30 AM (or Karatu at 7:00 AM). Drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, enjoying sunrise over the highlands.

Arrive at the crater rim and register at the gate. Descend 600 meters into the crater on a winding road, with stunning views of the crater floor below.

Begin your game drive on the crater floor. Explore the grasslands, Lake Magadi, and forest areas. Look for lions, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, and the endangered black rhino.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated site near the hippo pool. Watch hippos in the water while you eat.

Continue exploring different areas of the crater floor. Visit the Gorigor Swamp for more wildlife viewing. Look for leopards in the acacia trees.

Begin the ascent back to the crater rim around 3:30 PM. Drive back to Arusha, arriving around 6:30 PM. Drop-off at your hotel.

Tour Cost & Information
                                        Price: 
                                                                                            $550.00
                                                 $495.00
                                                                                        per person
                                        
                                    
Included:
 Crater entry fees
 Professional safari guide
 4x4 safari vehicle
 Picnic lunch
 Bottled water
 Hotel pickup/drop-off
 Game drive (6+ hours in crater)
Not Included:
 Travel insurance
 Alcoholic drinks
 Tips (guide $20-25)
 Personal expenses
 Accommodation
What to Bring:
 Neutral colored clothing
 Warm jacket (mornings cold at rim)
 Sunscreen and hat
 Camera with zoom lens
 Binoculars
 Insect repellent
 Comfortable shoes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes! Ngorongoro is one of the best places to see all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) in a single day. Rhinos are the most challenging but are regularly spotted on the crater floor.

The crater is a natural enclosure with permanent water and food, keeping wildlife inside year-round. The concentration of animals is unmatched in Africa – over 25,000 large animals in 260 sq km.

The crater rim is at 2,200 meters (7,200 feet). It can be cold, especially in mornings. The crater floor is about 600 meters lower. Some people feel mild altitude effects.

The crater is excellent year-round. The dry season (June-October) offers the best wildlife viewing. The wet season (November-May) has lush scenery and fewer crowds.

You'll spend 6-7 hours on the crater floor, descending around 8:00 AM and exiting around 3:00-4:00 PM. This gives ample time to explore the diverse habitats.