2-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tours

4.6/5 – 442 Ngorongoro Crater Reviews

There is no more beautiful place in East Africa than Ngorongoro and 2 days exploring here is one of the best things you can do anywhere on safari. Most mornings around dawn, mist rolls up and over the crater rim, creating a magical atmosphere in preparation for your day in the crater. Descending into the crater is like entering a lost world, with astonishing wildlife (including black rhino, lion, elephant, spotted hyena, flamingo and so much more) all seen against a backdrop of the deep greens of the crater walls. Up on the rim, too, is a world of forests, wildlife, and Maasai villages. Quite simply, it’s one of the most rewarding places you can visit.

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5 Questions About 2-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safaris

Expert

Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony is a writer and author of nearly 150 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including Kenya, Tanzania and East Africa. He writes about safaris, Ngorongoro and the wider region for magazines and newspapers around the world. He is also the author of The Last Lions of Africa.

› More about Anthony

Is 2 days enough time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater?

“Yes, 2 days is an excellent amount of time for visiting the crater. You’re not allowed to sleep down in the crater, which means that the only way to explore is on a day’s drive down into and around the crater. That being the case, a 2-day Ngorongoro safari certainly gives you a good amount of time for the main activity here. An extra day could be useful because it will allow you to enjoy more of the crater rim and have additional time for visiting a local Maasai community. It will also allow you to spend a full day in and around the crater without having to worry about what time you arrive and leave.”

What can I expect from a 2-day trip including the Ngorongoro Crater?

“A 2-day Ngorongoro safari means that you’ll only have 1 night here. On the first day, you’ll travel to Ngorongoro, and return late the following day. Most tours take one of the tracks down into the crater in the early morning, usually just after sunrise. In theory, there is a six-hour time limit for each vehicle to remain down in the crater, but this is rarely enforced. Either way, most of 1 of your 2 days (probably the second day) will likely be devoted to the crater, allowing time to fly out on the second day. Depending on what time you arrive here on the first day, you may have time to visit a local Maasai village or explore the trails around the crater rim. At the very least, you’ll visit the lookout that offers sweeping views out over Ngorongoro.”

Where should I stay on an Ngorongoro Crater trip?

“The only places to stay on a 2-day Ngorongoro Crater safari are high on the crater rim or a little further away on the road between Ngorongoro and Karatu. If you’re staying up on the rim, some hotels sit close to the edge and have magnificent views. Otherwise, the choices up here are tucked away in the forest a little back from the edge; some are superb, but won’t have views. I’ve always felt that it’s worth paying for the view, especially if you’re only here for 1 night. Remember that because of the altitude, nights can be extremely cold wherever you stay up here. Down the hill to the south and east, there are some delightful places that occupy coffee estates or farms. These are an hour or more drive from the crater rim, but the setting is delightful. There are no places to stay down in the crater and camping anywhere on the crater floor is not permitted.”

Can I visit a Maasai village on a 2-day Ngorongoro Crater safari?

“A visit to a Maasai village is one of the best things you can do on your 2-day Ngorongoro safari. Since the Maasai were removed from the crater and prevented from grazing their cattle there, all Maasai villages are up on the crater rim. Your tour operator should be able to arrange a visit, but ask what the visit entails. You (and the Maasai you’re visiting) are far more likely to enjoy the experience if it doesn’t involve a large group of camera-toting foreign tourists suddenly descending on a village then departing soon after. Make sure that you have enough time with the Maasai to speak with them and hear their story. You may also be able to spend time with a Maasai guide who can tell you Ngorongoro’s story and show you around some of the local landmarks and explain a little about local life. It might just end up being a highlight of your visit.”

How much does a 2-day Ngorongoro Crater safari cost?

“Expect to pay at least US$200 per person per day for a budget 2-day Ngorongoro Crater safari, and prices can go to US$500 per person per day and much higher for a more luxurious experience. It costs US$50/10 per adult/child per day just to enter Ngorongoro, and you’ll also need to factor into the total cost your transfer to and from Ngorongoro. These will be considerable if you travel by air, which many travelers do. Costs vary greatly from one safari operator to the next. The accommodation you choose will also influence how much you pay for your tour – options range from simple campsites to five-star luxury lodges. Another factor is the type of safari you want. Private safaris are more expensive than group safaris. The time of year when you travel is less of a factor than it is elsewhere, because Ngorongoro is a year-round destination and high season lasts for much of the year (and at least from July to March).”

Ngorongoro Crater Reviews

4.6/5 442 Reviews

Expert

Stephen Cunliffe –

Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.

The Safari of a Lifetime

5/5

Sure there will be plenty of other tourists and vehicles bumping and bouncing around inside the crater with you, but there is good reason for this: Ngorongoro is an incredible wildlife area. If you are allergic to crowds and the thought of...

Full Review

Expert

Sue Watt –

Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.

Life in the Caldera

5/5

I felt completely spellbound on my first trip to Ngorongoro Crater. The rim was shrouded in cloud but as we descended the 600 metres down to the crater floor, this vast caldera opened up before our eyes absolutely teeming with animals – a...

Full Review

Jellen Goossens –

Reviewed: Mar 22, 2023

5/5

The atmosphere in this unique environment is particular. The flat surface allows unique views and understanding the role it plays in the great migration is very interesting. The absence of trees has an influence on the presence and...

Full Review

Linda S –

Reviewed: Feb 25, 2023

4/5

The crater is well known for it's natural beauty and high concentration of animals available. As a result, it is the site of lots of day trippers. We got there early, but after 10am the roads were crowded with vehicles. When a lion was...

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Jan Robertson –

Reviewed: Aug 22, 2022

4/5

We saw lots of wildlife there, but nothing more than we saw in Tarangire and Serengeti. And the drive up to the rim of the crater we through thick fog and pretty scary. Once we got down into the crater the viewing was good.

Full Review

Diana Calixto –

Reviewed: Aug 15, 2022

5/5

Astonishing. It is incredible the different environments the Crater has within it. We move from sabana, to bushes, to lakes.. We saw plenty of wild animals including all the expected ones such as elephants, lions, zebras, wildebeests,...

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5 Questions About 2-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safaris

Answered by

Anthony Ham

5 Questions About 2-Day Ngorongoro Crater Safaris

Is 2 days enough time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater?

What can I expect from a 2-day trip including the Ngorongoro Crater?

Where should I stay on an Ngorongoro Crater trip?

Can I visit a Maasai village on a 2-day Ngorongoro Crater safari?

How much does a 2-day Ngorongoro Crater safari cost?

Ngorongoro Crater Reviews

The Safari of a Lifetime

Life in the Caldera