Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip from Arusha
trip overview
See the Ngorongoro Crater’s wildlife in a single day.
This day trip takes you from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater, a collapsed volcano 600 m deep and about 260 km² wide. You travel in a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof and a driver-guide, descend onto the crater floor and spend up to 6 hours looking for lions, black rhino, elephants, hippos and flamingos, with a picnic lunch by a hippo pool. It is a long but rewarding day for travelers who cannot spend a night on safari.
day-by-day itinerary
What happens from pick-up to drop-off.
This is a day trip, so there is no overnight stay. Additional hotel nights in Arusha before or after the trip can be arranged for an extra cost.
Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater and Back
Your driver-guide collects you from your hotel very early in the morning and drives west through Mto wa Mbu and up the Rift Valley escarpment to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, about 3 to 3.5 hours from Arusha. After the gate formalities you stop at the rim for views over the crater floor, 600 m below.
You then descend a steep road into the crater and start your game drive. The crater is a collapsed volcano about 260 km² wide, home to more than 25,000 animals. Look for lions, black rhino, elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas and flamingos at Lake Magadi.
You spend up to 6 hours on the crater floor, with a picnic lunch at a hippo pool. In the afternoon you climb back to the rim and drive back to Arusha, arriving in the evening. It is a long day, but one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa.
what’s included
Exactly what’s covered — and what isn’t.
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area entry, crater service and vehicle fees
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Picnic lunch and drinking water
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha (Moshi by arrangement)
- International or domestic flights
- Travel & medical insurance (required)
- Drinks other than water, snacks and souvenirs
- Tips for your driver-guide
- Additional accommodation before or after the trip
Important to know before booking
- This is a long day with an early start and about 6 to 7 hours of driving in total. If you prefer a slower pace, ask us about an overnight Ngorongoro safari.
- The crater rim is high and can be cold and misty in the morning, so bring a warm jacket and layers.
- Bring binoculars, a hat, sunscreen and a camera with a zoom lens.
- Wildlife sightings depend on season and luck and cannot be guaranteed. Black rhino are usually far from the road, so binoculars help.
- A Tanzania e-Visa is required for most nationalities — apply at immigration.go.tz at least 3 weeks before travel.
- A yellow fever certificate may be required depending on your transit country. See our Tanzania vaccinations guide for details.
pricing
What you’ll pay — no hidden extras.
Placeholder price shown below — update to your actual rate before publishing.
| Option | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ngorongoro Crater day trip Park and crater fees, 4x4 safari vehicle and picnic lunch included | $400 | Per person |
Payment & extras
A deposit confirms your booking, with the balance due before departure. Full terms are on our booking policy page.
Additional accommodation before or after the trip can be arranged for an extra cost.
Ready for Ngorongoro?
Reach out and we’ll confirm availability for your dates and send you a full quote.
frequently asked questions
Questions we get asked most often.
The trip starts and ends at your hotel in Arusha. Your driver-guide collects you very early in the morning and brings you back in the evening. Pick-up from Moshi can be arranged on request.
The drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours each way from Arusha, so the day is long. You spend up to 6 hours on the crater floor, which is the maximum time allowed.
The crater has lions, elephants, hippos, buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, flamingos and one of the best chances in Tanzania to see black rhino. Sightings are not guaranteed.
Yes, many guests see the crater on a day trip. The drive is long, though, so if you want a more relaxed pace, ask us about adding a night near the crater or combining it with Lake Manyara or Tarangire.
Yes. Many guests combine Ngorongoro with Lake Manyara, Tarangire or the Serengeti on a longer safari. Contact us and we will build a program for you.
Most nationalities need a Tanzania e-Visa, available at immigration.go.tz. A yellow fever certificate may also be required depending on your transit country — check with your doctor or travel clinic before departure.
We recommend taking out travel insurance as soon as you confirm your booking. Full cancellation and payment terms are on our booking policy page.
Related Tanzania Safari Tours you may like
4-Day Serengeti Fly-In Safari from Zanzibar
4-Day Fly from Zanzibar to Mikumi
3-Day Nyerere Safari from Zanzibar
5-Day Zanzibar Beach Holiday
Tarangire National Park Day Trip from Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip from Arusha
Lake Manyara Day Trip from Arusha
