Ngorongoro Crater

Start your day trip with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Arusha or at the Clock Tower around 5:30 am. With the 180-kilometer drive ahead (approximately 3-4 hours), you’ll travel west toward the UNESCO-renowned Ngorongoro Conservation Area.Upon arriving at the Loduare Gate, take in the fresh highland air as you check in. From the gate, ascend through lush forested hills to the crater rim, where the breathtaking sight of the Ngorongoro Crater – an ancient volcanic caldera about 610 meters deep, unveil below.

Unlike the Serengeti, where the Great Migration, Ngorongoro’s wildlife remains largely resident, thriving within the natural setting formed by the crater walls. This is one of the few places on Earth where you can spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) in a single game drive. You’ll also encounter wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, warthogs, and countless other species that contribute to the crater’s rich ecosystems. Keep an eye out for the hundreds of avian species, from the bold kori bustard to flocks of flamingos that sometimes gather at the crater’s soda lakes – Lake Magadi.

At midday, enjoy a picnic lunch in the shades of the Lerai Forest, where you might catch sight of elephants or baboons wandering nearby. After lunch, resume your game drive, taking in the crater’s diverse habitats, including open grasslands, dense forest, and the seasonal Munge River.By late afternoon, ascend the crater walls and begin your trip back to Arusha, arriving in the evening. Drop-off will be at your hotel, marking the end to a day full of lifetime memories.