Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Ngorongoro National Park, Tanzania, forms part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most dramatic natural reserves. It is famous for its peculiar ecosystem and the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to witness nature at its finest. This is a huge caldera created by a violent volcanic eruption several million years ago and is considered the biggest unbroken caldera in the world, with a total area of 260 square kilometres sheltering a remarkable diversity of wildlife.
Quick Facts
Location: Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Karatu, Tanzania
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: approximately $60 per person
How to Reach: By road, bus from Arusha or by flights
Nearest Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport (190 km)
Best Time to Visit: June to October, November to May
Where To Stay: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Corridor Lodge, Marriott Bonvoy Hotels, Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, and more
Where To Eat: Lilac Cafe, Mambo Cafe Ngorongoro, Happy Days Lounge & Lodge, Bougainvillea Safari Lodge, Lilac Restaurant, Jambo Cafe and more
Location
Photo: Christian Anold Mosha / Wikimedia Commons
Arusha Region, which contains Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Ngorongoro National Park, is in northern Tanzania. The main entrance to the park is located along the Arusha-Karatu Road, west of Arusha town, around 180 kilometres. The park is in the Karatu District, just outside the Great Rift Valley. Karatu Town Market, a bustling local trade hub, and the Karatu District Hospital are nearby landmarks. Furthermore, the region is surrounded by the Ngorongoro Forest Hills and agricultural farmlands, showcasing the role the region plays in sustaining local livelihoods.
How To Reach
Photo: Alexander Johmann / Wikimedia Commons
Ngorongoro National Park Tanzania has good connections with major cities, making it easily accessible for local and international travellers.
By Air: The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport, about 190 km from here. Charter
Flights are going to the Manyara Airstrip, which is close to the park.
By Road: It is about a 4-hour drive from Arusha. You can access the park through private transfers, safari tours, or car rentals.
By Bus: Public buses ply between Arusha and Karatu, the closest town to the park but you need a private vehicle to enter the conservation area.
Things To Do
1. Explore The Ngorongoro Crater
Photo: Roryjm0 / Wikimedia Commons
Visiting the Ngorongoro Crater is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera holds one of the most remarkable concentrations of wildlife anywhere, including lions, elephants, rhinos and hippos. You can take a guided game drive across the crater floor, a colourful affair of grasslands, lakes, and forests. They have a prolific population of flamingos and other bird species, making it an attractive spot for birdwatching as well. These breathtaking views from the crater rim add to the appeal for nature and wildlife lovers.
2. Visit A Maasai Village
Photo: Zenith4237 / Wikimedia Commons
The Maasai village cultural tour near Ngorongoro gives you a chance to experience the traditions of this famous community. Visitors to the Maasai can have a cultural experience of interacting with the Maasai people, watching traditional dances, and touring their homesteads (bomas). Guides also explain the meaning behind their customs, clothing, and jewellery, providing insight into their harmonious relationship with the natural environment. Buying the village’s handmade crafts not only helps their economy, it generates positive cultural exchange.
3. Enjoy Guided Nature Walks
Photo: Bob / Wikimedia Commons
Guided nature walks around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area provide a more intimate experience of its different ecosystems. You can explore the mountain forests, open grasslands, and riverside landscapes surrounding the park under the guidance of local experts. The walks offer the chance for you to spot some smaller mammals, such as bushbucks and monkeys, among others, while learning about the flora and fauna of the region. Guides also share interesting stories about the geological history of the area and its role in human evolution.
Places To Visit Around Ngorongoro National Park
1. Serengeti National Park
Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / Wikimedia Commons
The Serengeti National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers approximately 1.5 million hectares of savanna in Tanzania. It is most noted for the Great Annual Migration, wherein over 1,500,000 wildebeest, joined by hundreds of thousands of zebras and antelopes, make rounds across its vast plains in search of fresh grass and sources of water. Besides the migration, the Serengeti National Park is rich in biodiversity, from the Big Five of Africa and more than 500 species of birds and many other wildlife species.
Distance From The Park: 80 km
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
2. Lake Manyara National Park
Photo: Gaurav Pandit / Wikimedia Commons
Though relatively small, Lake Manyara National Park boasts a fantastic variety of landscapes and a surprising number of animals, making it one of the most interesting places to visit in Tanzania. Not like other lions, here they are often found lounging on the branches of acacia and other trees. Aside from its peculiar lions, Lake Manyara is also known for its large herds of elephants. Adding to the richness of this park’s ecosystem is the presence of Lake Manyara itself, a shallow alkaline lake that attracts several thousand pink flamingos.
Distance From The Park: 60 km
Timings: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
3. Tarangire National Park
Photo: Bärbel Miemietz / Wikimedia Commons
Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is a very beautiful park with vast expanses of landscape and lots of wildlife, as well as baobab trees. It covers an area of about 2,850 square kilometres and is made up of varied vegetation composed of acacia woodlands, savannah, and the Tarangire River, which provides the main water source for wild animals in this region. You can spot wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and impalas with lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Bird enthusiasts can find a total of over 550 different avifaunal species.
Distance From The Park: 120 km
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
4. Empakaai Crater
Photo: Halidtz / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Empakaai Crater, within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area of Tanzania, is a secret treasure as it speaks to natural beauty and a variety of wildlife. Unlike Ngorongoro Crater, which is usually crowded with tourists, Empakaai remains relatively untouched, offering visitors serenity, tranquillity, and an undisturbed experience. You can hike into Empakaai Crater, a two-hour hike. In the middle of Empakaai Crater is a beautiful lake, home to thousands of flamingos, especially in the dry season. Besides flamingos, Empakaai Crater is a home for a lot of wildlife, including buffalo, hyenas, elephants, blue monkeys and bushbucks in the thick forests.
Distance From The Park: 32 km
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
5. Arusha National Park
Photo: Sikjunior / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Arusha National Park in Tanzania offers several activities, each specially designed to immerse visitors in one of its varied ecosystems. Ranging from walking safaris to canoeing, two of the more notable activities, each offers a different perspective on the park’s rich wildlife and landscapes. Arusha National Park is among the few parks in Tanzania that permit walking safaris, usually guided for about an hour, through diverse landscapes. You can also experience guided canoe safaris, usually 2 to 2.5 hours to navigate the calm waters and see buffaloes, bushbucks, giraffes, and hippos with various water birds.
Distance From The Park: 170 km
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Dariusz Sankowski / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Tips For Travellers
- Pack warm clothing, most especially for the moments at the highlands with cooler temperatures, mainly in the early morning and late evenings.
- Be certain that all the park rules are closely adhered to, not provoking wild animals to ensure not only your safety but the longevity of natural beauty.
Ngorongoro National Park Tanzania is an incredibly attractive place where natural beauty is combined with a confluence of rich cultural heritage and diversified wildlife. It isn’t just a simple safari but an immersive journey into one of the most extraordinary ecosystems of Africa. Whether adventure and the thrill of discovery are what draw you near or quiet reflection, Ngorongoro promises an experience. So, plan a trip with TripXL to this gem of Tanzania.
Cover Photo: Dmitrii Zhodzishskii / Unsplash
