Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip: Encounter the Big Five in Tanzania's Top Game Reserve
5.0
5 Ratings
Moshi Mjini
Experience the thrill of encountering the Big Five on a day trip to Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania's top game reserve. See black rhinos, massive elephants, lions, leopards, and more!
Duration: 16 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ngorongoro Crater - The Ngorongoro Conservation Area stretches from the Crater Highlands up to the Serengeti and the northern shore of Lake Eyasi. The Ngorongoro Crater was created by the same volcanic movements which also formed the Great Rift Valley, was once as high as Mount Kilimanjaro. Approximately 3 million years ago Ngorongoro erupted, covering the Serengeti with ash, leaving a large crater in the center of the mountain. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact caldera in the world, with a diameter of about 18 km and an area of 260 km2. The steep crater ridge is more than 600m at its highest point.

The crater floor is an earthly paradise and, with about 30,000 animals, one of the most populous wildlife areas in the world. Because the area is enclosed and the flat crater floor is mainly open grassland, it is easy to manage, with the result that it is a stronghold of endangered species, including the black rhino and the cheetah. There are no giraffes, topi or impala in the crater. These animals find the rocky areas too difficult to use and there is insufficient grass for large herds of antelope. The main prey animals are wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo and the main predators are the lions and spotted hyenas. In the open savannah, a hunt can be followed quite easily and is especially interesting as it seems that in Ngorongoro, contrary to what one might expect, the hyenas are the aggressive hunters and the lions are the carrion eaters. Lake Magadi, located in the southwest, is a large shallow soda lake where countless flamingos and other waterfowl live alongside the hippopotamuses.

Magnificent as it is, the Ngorongoro Crater is only a small fragment of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and among the areas, other attractions are two lesser-known craters, Olmoti and Empakaai. The added attraction of visiting these craters is that you can either walk or drive to the foot of Olmoti, or the rim of Empakaai. Olmoti rises to 3073m at its western rim, which can be reached by walking through bush and grassy tussocks often bedecked with flowers. An additional highlight of the area is the Munge Falls, which flow through a cleft on the Crater’s southern side. The stream cascades down cliffs, hundreds of meters into a ravine.
From the edge of the crater, the road twists downwards towards the Serengeti through rolling grass plains and acacia forests. About 30 kilometers from the crater, there is a narrow road to the Olduvai Gorge. At the site of the gorge, which is approximately 90 meters deep, there was once a lake. Over the years, the lake was covered with thick layers of volcanic ash, which preserved the remains of early humanity. To be so close to where mankind may have begun is an inspiring experience, especially when you see the famous Laetoli footprints, made by early humans some 3.6 million years ago.

What's Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Tips
Additional Information

Ngorongoro tops the list of locations in Tanzania for spotting the big five. A robust group of black rhino and some of the most enormous tusker elephants remaining in Africa today constitute the main attractions, yet the Crater also shelters robust communities of lion, leopard, and hyena alongside sizable hordes of wildebeest, buffalo, and zebra. Other wildlife in Ngorongoro encompasses serval cat, cheetah, jackal, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles, flamingo, and bat-eared foxes, in addition to about 400 different bird species.

Location
Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Any hotel in Arusha and Moshi city
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(5 Ratings)
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167sarik
Jun 2, 2021
Best trip - Collins is literally amazing he made our trip one of best trips i have ever made in my life. Full support from zanzibar to tanzania and back to zanzibar. Much much recommended.
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Kegan231
Feb 2, 2021
Amazing services - The guide Mr. Frederick technique and mind are perfect. Consultation and confirmation of e-mail before departure, airport transfer, detailed briefing, network to get information of animals from friends by wireless (of course, Big 5 won), driving skills towards points, abundant expertise, selection of lodging lodge There is no point to mention good points, such as mediation, gentle personality and hospitality, and proactive action that always solves problems, but all of them gave me safety, security, comfort and 100% satisfaction. Was. Thanks for Mr. Fredrick, a wonderful safari experience!
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Marioana843
Feb 2, 2021
Excellent service - Having been on several Serengeti Safaris, I decided to contract with them. They made great recommendations and made the booking process so easy. Then from the moment I was greeted by Mr. Fredrick I knew I had made the right choice. As a solo traveler, I was always comfortable and knew I was in capable hands. He had such extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna and made it come alive when he shared stories of his lifetime in Tanzania. He made it a point to introduce me to the culture and people of his country--I will never forget the warmth of the Tanzanians. Please don't hesitate booking with this exceptional tour company. You can expect an experience that will remain in your heart forever.
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Josefind514
May 16, 2020
Great wild life safari - This was a fantastic tour with everything you could ask for. Great wild life scenes (all the big five), great both historical and up to date facts and stories from the guide, great food and company! I Will truly recommend the Dodo group when planning a Safari trip!
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Emeliej496
Mar 18, 2020
Great! - We all have a great day at the safari! I Will recommend this tour too all who will go on a safari. You will feel like you are in the lion King movie!
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
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