1 Day safari in Ngorongoro crater

1 Day safari in Ngorongoro crater: The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest inactive caldera which is located in the northern part of Tanzania. This destination is located a short drive from Arusha town where safaris to the Ngorongoro conservation area begin.

Ngorongoro crater is part of the attractions in the popular northern part of Tanzania which also consists of destinations like Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Arusha national park and Lake Manyara national park.

Ngorongoro conservation area authority manages the Ngorongoro crater and also promotes conservation of the biodiversity and cultural heritage sustainably and enhances the livelihood of the indigenous communities and promotes tourism.

Ngorongoro conservation area was established in 1959 as a multiple land use area where the local Maasai communities who are pastoralists coexist with the wildlife species. During safaris in Ngorongoro crater, only driving is allowed while in the conservation area, walking safaris can be carried out.

The Ngorongoro crater covers about 260 square kilometers and is also among the seven natural wonders of Africa. During safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area, tourists can also enjoy seeing other craters like the Empakaai crater and the Olmoti crater which may not be as famous as the Ngorongoro crater.

Safaris in Ngorongoro crater involve exploring the lush forests and grasslands which are home to different wildlife species. The main areas for wildlife viewing in the Ngorongoro conservation area include the short grass plains north west of the Ngorongoro crater and around Lake Ndutu.

The wildebeest migration which involves movement of over 2 million wildebeests can also be seen around the Ndutu area in the months of December to May.

Itinerary

On your 1 day Ngorongoro Crater safari from Arusha, you shall be picked up at 6:00 am by our Tanzania Safari Guide and driven to the park with your packed lunch. Once you reach the park , descend into the Crater floor for a game drive to see the various wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater, enjoy a picnic lunch and thereafterreturn to Arusha.

Attractions which can be seen during 1 Day safari in Ngorongoro crater

This destination attracts a high number of tourists from different parts of the world to enjoy wildlife viewing experiences while visiting the Ngorongoro crater. The area is shared by both wildlife and Maasai people who live in the neighboring community.

The Maasai are a nomadic group of people who graze their livestock in the Ngorongoro crater. They are also known for their unique culture and way of life. During safaris in the Ngorongoro conservation area, tourists can also visit the Maasai villages and interact with the locals.

Ngorongoro crater was formed as a result of collapse of a volcano over 2 million years ago. There is varied habitat for the wildlife and bird species in the Ngorongoro crater which is made up of montane forests, grasslands and swamps.

There are over 25000 wildlife species which live in the Ngorongoro conservation area. The big 5 which include elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos are among the wildlife species which can be seen during a safari in Ngorongoro crater.

Wildlife species include elephants, zebras, antelopes, hippos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, impalas, lions, elands, waterbucks, wildebeests, gazelles and many others. However, giraffes cannot be seen in the Ngorongoro crater because of its steep nature making it difficult for them to go into the crater.

The rare black rhinos can also be seen during a safari in Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania. These rhino species are part of the big 5 which also include wildlife species like elephants, buffalos, lions and leopards.

Big cats such as lions, leopards and cheetahs can be seen in many numbers around the Ngorongoro crater during a safari to this destination. There are about 65 lions which can be seen at this destination during a Tanzania safari.

A safari in the Ngorongoro crater involves descending about 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater where you can enjoy seeing various wildlife species like elephant herds, lions, zebras, wildebeests, hippos and many others.

Ol duvai gorge is an archaeological site which can be visited in the Ngorongoro conservation area. The evidence of human evolution such as fossils and stone tools were discovered by Dr Louis and Mary Leakey.

The discoveries were made about 2 million years ago and the Ol duvai gorge came to also be known as the “cradle of mankind”.

Flamingos along Lake Magadi shores are among the bird species which can be seen in the Ngorongoro crater area. Other bird species at this destination include ostriches, crowned cranes, kori bustards, black winged lapwing, rufous tailed weavers, scarlet chested sunbird, red and yellow barbet and many others.

During a safari in Ngorongoro crater which has over 550 bird species, both resident and migratory birds can be seen such as the lesser flamingos and other water birds. Around the Lake Ndutu and Empakaai crater, these bird species can also be seen during a bird watching experience. Bird species in Ngorongoro crater which are in big numbers include turaco, hornbills, goshawk and harriers.

A variety of activities can be carried out during a safari in the Ngorongoro crater however the most sort after activity is game drives which can take up to a whole day of looking out for various wildlife species in the savannah.

The best time for a safari in Ngorongoro crater which is recommended for enjoying wildlife viewing experiences is the dry season during the months of June to October. Wildlife viewing however is carried out all throughout the year in the Ngorongoro crater.

Different tour operators offer safaris to the Ngorongoro crater for a big 5 experience and to enjoy seeing many other wildlife species in the crater through different packages which are offered for a safari in the Ngorongoro crater.

There are a variety of accommodation facilities where tourists can stay during their safaris in Ngorongoro crater and they include luxury accommodations, midrange accommodations as well as budget accommodations like tented lodges and camps such as;

Ngorongoro wildlife lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa lodge, Elewana the manor Ngorongoro, Hhando coffee lodge, Rhino lodge Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Serena safari lodge, Neptune Ngorongoro luxury lodge, Lake Ndutu luxury tented lodge, Ngorongoro tented camp and many others.

Safaris in Ngorongoro crater begin in Arusha town through Karatu and also the Great Rift Valley escarpment which can be seen on the way to Lake Manyara national park.

Enjoy spending a day in Ngorongoro crater for spectacular views of the crater itself and the numerous wildlife species moving around the savannah.

End of the 1 Day safari in Ngorongoro crater