Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip

Yes, and that's exactly what this trip is. We pick you up at your Arusha hotel at around 4:45 AM and drive roughly three hours through the Rift Valley highlands to the crater rim. You spend the day on the crater floor and get back to Arusha at about 7:00 PM, with no overnight stay.

Lion prides, elephant and buffalo are seen on most drives, and flamingos often line the soda lake. The crater is also home to the endangered black rhino. All of the Big Five live here, but leopard and rhino can never be promised. Your guide also takes you to the Lerai Forest and the hippo pools.

Most of it. After the drive from Arusha you descend about 600 metres from the rim and stay on the floor through a morning game drive, a picnic lunch and an afternoon drive. Your guide plans the route around the open grassland, the soda lake, the Lerai Forest and the hippo pools, then you climb back up the crater wall.

Lunch is a picnic on the crater floor, made with locally sourced ingredients and served with chilled drinks. It's set up at a spot overlooking the Lerai Forest, between the morning and afternoon drives. Eating on the floor means you don't lose time driving up to the rim and back, and bottled water and snacks are in the vehicle all day.

It's long rather than hard. Expect about three hours of driving each way on top of the game drives, an early start and a return at around 7:00 PM. No special fitness is needed, because all viewing is from the Land Cruiser. If you'd prefer a gentler pace, our Arusha team can add a night near the crater.

Yes to both. The trip runs in a private 4x4 vehicle with a naturalist guide and can be booked from one person, so solo travellers, couples and families travel on their own date. Binoculars are provided. Send us your Arusha hotel and preferred date, and we'll arrange the early pickup.

Yes, for children who can manage a long day in a vehicle. Viewing is all from the Land Cruiser, and the crater floor is open country, which makes animals easier to spot. The early start is the hardest part for most kids, so pack their favourite snacks and a warm layer for the pre-dawn drive.

Dress in layers. The rim is high and cold before dawn, while the crater floor warms up during the day. Bring a fleece or light jacket, neutral clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. A scarf helps with dust on the crater roads, and you'll be glad of it when the roof is up.

The Ngorongoro Crater Day Trip is a full-day trip.

This trip visits Ngorongoro Crater.

It is rated easy: no special fitness is needed.

It runs for groups of 1 to 6 travellers.

Included: Private 4x4 safari vehicle, Professional naturalist guide, All park and crater entry fees, Gourmet picnic lunch with beverages, Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha, Bottled water and snacks and Binoculars for game viewing.

Not included: International flights, Travel insurance, Personal items, Tips and gratuities and Alcoholic beverages.