Ngorongoro Crater: how to get the most from your crater day

The Ngorongoro Crater is a collapsed volcano about 260 square kilometres across, with walls 600 metres high. The walls keep most of the animals inside, so the wildlife is excellent all year. Here’s how we plan a crater day.

Go down at opening time

The crater gates open early, and the first hour on the crater floor is the best. The light is soft, the predators are still active, and there are far fewer vehicles. Leaving your lodge at 6:00 is worth it.

Dress for two climates

The rim is about 2,300 metres above sea level and often cold and misty at dawn. The crater floor warms up quickly. Wear layers you can take off as the morning goes on.

Looking for black rhino

The crater is the best place in Tanzania to see black rhino, but they often keep to the far edges of the grassland. A good guide will scan from a distance with binoculars and wait for a clear view rather than chase. Bring binoculars, because sightings are often at a distance.

Lunch at the hippo pool

The Ngoitokitok springs picnic site has hippos in the pool and views across the crater. Eat inside the vehicle or keep your food close. The Black Kites here are very good at snatching sandwiches.

Don’t skip the birds

Kori Bustards, Grey Crowned Cranes, flamingos on Lake Magadi and Rufous-tailed Weavers are all easy to see, and the highland forest on the rim has sunbirds in the flowering trees.

How long do you need?

A half day is enough for the main animals, and a full day lets you relax and wait for rhino. Vehicles have a time limit on the crater floor, and your guide will plan around it.

All our northern-circuit trips include the crater. The 2-day safari is the quickest way to see it.

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