Ngorongoro Crater Flights
Ngorongoro Crater Flights
Ngorongoro Crater is considered to be one of the most iconic safari sites in Tanzania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which attracts tourists worldwide. The crater is found in the northern part of Tanzania, and it falls under Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and is usually linked up with the Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara safaris.
Although a majority of the visitors can reach the crater through a road, flights to Ngorongoro are a better, faster and more scenic means of visiting this natural marvel. The Ngorongoro Crater flights can be understood under the condition that they can help the travellers to spend less time and make the most of the safari.
Why should I fly to the Ngorongoro Crater?
Fliers to Ngorongoro have a variety of benefits when compared to those who use the long road trip between Arusha or Kilimanjaro. The time spent on road transfers is between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the traffic and condition of roads, whereas a flight may not take more than an hour.
Travellers also have breathtaking aerial views of highlands, lakes and wildlife-infested savannahs in Tanzania during the flights, which makes the journey itself a portion of the safari. When it comes to luxury safari trips, family holiday outings with kids or any other visitor who is under strict time constraints, flights to Ngorongoro are time and comfort-saving.
Airstrips Serving Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
No airport is located within the crater, but the travellers can fly to airstrips nearby. The most popular one is Lake Manyara Airstrip, which is approximately 1.5 hours of driving from the crater rim. There, lodges and tour operators offer their guests a ride to their lodges in or surrounding the conservation area in Tanzania safari vehicles.
There is also another alternative, which is the Ndutu airstrip situated in the southern region of the Serengeti, which is easily accessible to visitors who want to conduct a Ngorongoro with Serengeti safari tour when the wild beasts are calving. The charter flights may also land in smaller airstrips that are nearer to the Luxury lodges for people travelling privately.
Flight Routes to Ngorongoro Crater.
Flights to Ngorongoro are usually made between Arusha Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport or Zanzibar. Arusha is the domestic safari flight centre, and the airlines like Coastal Aviation, Auric Air, and Regional Air offer daily flights to Lake Manyara and Ndutu.
International arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport, which serves international travellers, can easily get their way into a short domestic flight at the airport. Those who travel from Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam can book direct flights to Lake Manyara, and they can easily combine the beach holiday with a Ngorongoro safari.
Flight companies flying to Ngorongoro.
The northern Tanzania safari circuit is served by a number of reputable local airlines. Coastal Aviation has a strong reputation for having a large network, very dependable schedules, and Auric Air, which runs charter and scheduled flights that are flexible.
Regional Air also has flights serving the region on a daily basis. These airlines are flying on small aircraft, like Cessna Caravans that carry 9 to 13 passengers, and this gives a more personal experience of flying in the air with spectacular views of the scenery in Tanzania.
Price of Travel to Ngorongoro Crater.
Flying to Ngorongoro is determined by the season, route, and the nature of the flight. The cost of a one-way fare between Arusha and Lake Manyara would be between $150 and $250. It is also more costly to fly between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, and costs $250-400 each way.
There are charter flights of a private group or family, which can be convenient but are more expensive. The time that is saved and the comfort that is offered by the flights make road transfers more costly than flights, though the latter are required to some extent due to the luxury traveller, or those who are visiting more than one park.
Airstrips to Ngorongoro Lodges transfers.
Upon arrival at Lake Manyara or Ndutu, the tourists are picked up by the safari guides or the lodge vehicles to transfer them to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The route between Lake Manyara and the crater rim serves as a scenic drive through the scenic highlands of lush areas, coffee plantations and Maasai villages.
The road will climb up the crater rim and then drop within the caldera, and in no time, the wildlife experience will start. The conservation area has some lodges that take care of individual transfers, and the airstrip pick-up is usually included with the safari itself by tour operators.
Ngorongoro Crater would be best visited during the S-months.
The year-round flights to Ngorongoro are available, and the optimal time to fly depends on the experience desired by the travellers. June to October is known as the dry season, and the best time of year to watch game within the crater because of the animals that form around the water bodies.
The rainy season (November to May) is greener and less busy, and therefore flights are scenic and rewarding. To tourists who combine the Ngorongoro with the Serengeti safaris, the best time to fly is during the wildebeest calving season between January and March in the Ndutu region.
Adding Ngorongoro Flights to Other Safari Destinations.
The chance to visit many destinations without having to travel long distances by road is one of the greatest benefits of flying. Tourists are able to use Arusha to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and then proceed by air to the airstrips of Serengeti like Seronera or Kogatende.
One can also easily combine big game safaris with it by taking flights linking Ngorongoro to Ruaha, Selous (Nyerere National Park) and Zanzibar. It is very desirable for travellers on tailor-made safaris and those who have limited time.
Travel Guide to Booking Ngorongoro Flights.
A safari to be done with flight bookings should be done early, particularly the peak seasons between July and September and December and February. Pack light, since most small aircraft are not very liberal on luggage, allowing only 15 kilograms, however, in soft bags.
Before travelling, they should also ensure that they have made arrangements for the transfer with the lodges or tour operators to avoid wasting time on arrival. When selecting a good airline and dealing with an expert safari organisation, logistics become very easy in terms of getting to the crater and back to the airstrip.
Conclusion
Flights to Ngorongoro Crater are very fast, comfortable and scenic, and this is why they are the best choice for travellers keen on spending the most time in the safari. Visitors can combine Ngorongoro with Serengeti, Tarangire and Zanzibar holidays with ease because of the daily linkages between Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and many more.
Although the expenses might be higher than road transfers, the convenience and the experience offered by the flights make the flight a very valuable investment. When anyone is planning how to go on a safari in Tanzania, a flight to Ngorongoro Crater will help ensure that they spend less time on the road but more time on wildlife.
