Planning a Ngorongoro safari starts with how much time you have. Visit the crater on a day trip from Arusha, stay overnight near the rim, or include it in a northern Tanzania circuit with Tarangire, Lake Manyara or the Serengeti. Chopper Tour and Travel Ltd arranges these itineraries, with options to tailor the route, accommodation and pace to your travel dates and budget.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies in northern Tanzania, west of Arusha, and forms part of the wider Serengeti ecosystem. The crater is one part of it, a volcanic caldera with a wildlife-rich floor, while the conservation area also takes in highland forest, Olduvai Gorge and other craters.

Not sure whether a day trip or a night near the rim suits you? Browse the itineraries below, or send us your dates and we’ll suggest a length.

Chopper Tour and Travel Ltd is a tour operator based in Uganda, arranging safaris in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. On a Ngorongoro trip the practical questions are specific: whether to spend a night near the rim or go down into the crater on the first morning, how the road transfer from Arusha fits your arrival, and which lodge or campsite to use. We work through those with you before quoting.

What You Can Expect:

• A written quote showing the proposed itinerary, inclusions and exclusions.
• Pick-up from your Arusha hotel and drop-off back there on the listed itineraries.
• A 4x4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide.
• Accommodation options from budget campsite to luxury lodge, matched to your route and budget.
• Help adding Tarangire, Lake Manyara or the Serengeti.

Clear booking terms. We explain the payment schedule and cancellation conditions before you confirm. See our booking terms and check the terms that apply to your dates and itinerary.

For a crater safari, trip length changes the experience more than anything else.

• One day: A crater visit from Arusha, with an early departure and late return.
• One night: Stay near the rim and descend into the crater the following morning.
• Two nights: Allow more time around the crater or add another destination, depending on the package.
• Four to seven days: Combine Ngorongoro with other northern Tanzania destinations.
• Longer circuits. The 5 Days Tanzania Luxury Safari and 7 Days Tanzania Safari cover more of the northern circuit.

Within any length, accommodation level (budget, mid-range or luxury) changes the price more than the route does. Browse our luxury accommodation options, or tell us your budget.

A crater day begins well before the crater. From Arusha the road runs through Karatu and takes around 4–5 hours with stops, which is why a day trip means an early start. On the two- and three-day safaris you spend the first afternoon at a lodge or camp near the rim, and the descent of about 600 metres starts after an early breakfast the next morning.

The crater floor is grassland, marsh, woodland and the soda lake, Lake Magadi. A driver-guide takes the 4x4 across it on a game drive, with a picnic lunch at a designated spot inside the crater, and the climb back to the rim comes in the afternoon. The exact schedule depends on the itinerary and current access arrangements. Read more in our guide to what to see in Ngorongoro.

Ngorongoro can be visited throughout the year. June to October is generally drier and popular for wildlife viewing, so accommodation can book up early. The greener periods bring fresh scenery and birdlife, although rain may affect road conditions. Exact conditions vary from year to year.

Choose your travel month according to your priorities: general wildlife viewing, calving-season travel around Ndutu, birdwatching, fewer visitors or budget. Read more in our guide to best time to visit Ngorongoro.

Many Ngorongoro safaris start in Arusha. The road transfer usually takes around 4–5 hours including stops, but the actual journey depends on the route, road conditions and traffic. A day trip is possible, though it makes for a long day; an overnight stay can allow a more relaxed schedule.

Your route may also connect with Tarangire or Lake Manyara, or continue towards the Serengeti. Read more in our guide to how to get to Ngorongoro.

• Crater-floor game drives are the main activity for most visitors.
• Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli are archaeological sites associated with research into early human history. They are not part of a standard crater game drive, so check whether they fit your route.
• Highland walks may be available in designated areas and are subject to local rules and guide or ranger requirements.
• Maasai cultural visits may be included in some itineraries when arranged appropriately with local hosts.
• Birdwatching takes place across lakes, wetlands, grasslands and highland habitats. Species and viewing conditions vary with season.

Activities, access and extra charges differ by location. Confirm what is available and included before booking. See more things to do in Ngorongoro.

A longer safari can include more than one destination. The best combination depends on your available days, wildlife priorities and budget.

• Serengeti National Park: open plains, predators and seasonal wildebeest movements.
• Tarangire National Park: elephants, baobabs and varied savannah landscapes.
• Lake Manyara National Park: Rift Valley scenery, woodland and birdlife.
• Arusha: a common starting or finishing point for northern Tanzania itineraries.

Where you stay affects transfer times, the start of your crater visit and the overall price. Our package pages name the options for each itinerary. On the 2 Days Ngorongoro Wildlife Escape, these are Neptune Ngorongoro (luxury), Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge (mid-range) and Simba Campsite (budget). The 3 Days Ngorongoro Wildebeest Safari lists Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (luxury), Rhino Lodge (mid-range) and Simba Campsite (budget). Availability depends on your dates.

Lodges and camps on or near the crater rim give quick access to the descent and views across the landscape. Karatu is a common alternative for travellers comparing location and price.

Browse luxury accommodation, mid-range accommodation and budget accommodation, or tell us your priorities so we can suggest options that fit your route.

These are reviews of Chopper Tour and Travel from the company’s TripAdvisor profile. They cover trips in different destinations, so read each review to see which trip the guest took.

H

hannover

Hannover, Germany

We had an amazing 4-day Gorilla Trekking tour with Chopper Tour and Travel, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Doreen took the time to understand exactly what we wanted...

Read full review on TripAdvisor →

Traveled with friends

B

Bakker L

Antwerp, Belgium

After our planned activities in Northern Uganda, our hosts recommended Murchison Falls Park, and we wanted to combine it with seeing mountain gorillas. Doreen helped us plan a fantastic 6-day trip...

Read full review on TripAdvisor →

Traveled with friends

J

Jack J

Melbourne, Australia

After a few back-and-forth emails with Beth, who exhibited firsthand knowledge of the destination and offered great suggestions, we settled on the 7-day safari. I have nothing but praise for Chopper Tour!

Read full review on TripAdvisor →

Traveled as a couple

What is the difference between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the crater?

The conservation area is the large protected landscape in northern Tanzania. The crater is the caldera inside it and the focus of most game drives. The conservation area also includes highland forest, Olduvai Gorge and other craters.

How many days do I need for a Ngorongoro safari?

One day can be enough for a crater visit if you are short on time, although it makes for an early start and a long day from Arusha. Two or three days allow more flexibility, while longer itineraries can add the Serengeti, Tarangire or Lake Manyara.

How much does a Ngorongoro safari cost?

The price depends on trip length, season, accommodation, transport, group size and whether the vehicle is private or shared. We provide a quote for the proposed itinerary and list inclusions and exclusions. For conservation-area charges, read our Ngorongoro rates guide.

Can I do a Ngorongoro safari from Arusha?

Yes. Many safaris travel by road from Arusha. Allow around 4–5 hours for the transfer, including stops, and more if road or traffic conditions require it.

Is a Ngorongoro day trip worth it?

It can suit travellers with limited time, but expect an early start and a long day. Staying nearby overnight can make the visit less rushed. See the 1 Day Trip to Ngorongoro Crater.

Can I combine Ngorongoro with the Serengeti?

Yes. Ngorongoro and the Serengeti are commonly combined in multi-day northern Tanzania itineraries. Tarangire and Lake Manyara are other possible additions. See the 4 Days Ngorongoro and Serengeti Safari.

What is included in a Ngorongoro safari package?

Inclusions differ by itinerary and are listed on each package page and in your quote. The 2 Days Ngorongoro Wildlife Escape, for example, lists meals, one night’s accommodation, park entrance fees, a 4x4 safari vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, bottled water and pick-up and drop-off in Arusha. Tips, visa fees, flights, insurance and personal items are normally excluded.

How does Ngorongoro safari booking work?

You send your dates and preferences, we recommend an itinerary and send a quote, and you confirm with a deposit, usually 40% (50% in peak season). The balance is due before the safari starts. Cancellation charges are a percentage of the price, from 25% at 60 days or more before arrival to 100% from 7 days, and notice must be in writing. See the current Booking terms.

Tell us when you want to travel, how many people are going and what kind of trip you have in mind. We’ll review your priorities and send a suggested route with a quote for the itinerary.

Whether you want a crater day trip, a private wildlife safari, a Serengeti combination or a longer northern Tanzania circuit, start by sharing your dates and preferences.