A full morning on the crater floor with lion, buffalo, hippo and often black rhino.
A long day by design: an early start means you are in the crater before the crowds.
Private vehicle, picnic lunch at a designated site, back in Arusha in the evening.
Overview
Ngorongoro is the one place we say is worth a long day trip. The crater is about 260 square kilometres of open grassland, forest and a soda lake, enclosed by walls 600 metres high, and it holds an extraordinary density of wildlife in a small space.
The drive from Arusha takes about three and a half hours each way, so we leave at dawn. If you can spare a night, the 2-day safari is far more relaxed, but this trip works when time is short.
Tour facts
Difficulty
Easy
Group sizes
Private, Joining safari
Great for
All ages
Languages
English, Swahili
Start point
Arusha
Guest rating
4.8 / 5
Best months to travel
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater and backNgorongoro Conservation Area
Pick-up around 5:30 a.m. and a drive through Karatu and up to the crater rim for the sunrise view. We descend to the floor by about 8, and spend the morning around Lerai Forest, the soda lake edge and the hippo pool.
Picnic lunch at a designated site, one more loop of the floor, then we climb out in early afternoon and drive back to Arusha for a drop at your hotel in the evening.
Photos from the trip
What’s included
Park entrance, vehicle and guide fees for the day
Private 4x4 with pop-up roof and a TeenVibe driver-guide
Picnic lunch and bottled water
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Arusha or Moshi
Not included
Drinks and meals not described in the day plan
Tips for guides and drivers (optional, but appreciated)
Travel insurance and personal expenses
Anything not named in the day plan
Prices by season
Per person in USD, 2026 rates, based on 2 travellers sharing.
Year-round rate
1 Jan – 31 Dec
$340
Travelling in a group? You save
Per-person price for the Year-round rate rate.
1 traveller
$517
--52%
2 travellers
$340
-0%
3 travellers
$330
-3%
4 travellers
$323
-5%
5 travellers
$316
-7%
6 travellers
$309
-9%
7 travellers
$306
-10%
8 travellers
$303
-11%
Frequently asked questions
Is one day enough for the crater?
Yes, the crater floor can be covered in a morning. The drive is what makes it a long day, so an overnight in Karatu is more comfortable if you can.
Will we see the Big Five?
Often most of them. Lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino are all resident. Leopard is the hardest to find. We never guarantee a particular animal.
What time do we start and finish?
We usually collect from your hotel between 7 and 8 a.m. and are back by late afternoon. We confirm the exact times when you book.
What should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a hat, a light rain jacket and a little cash for tips or souvenirs. We send a short checklist when you book.
Can we change the day or the plan?
Yes. Day trips are private by default, so we can shift the timing or swap stops to suit you. Just tell us early.
