Ngorongoro Crater Game Drives – Included
Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact caldera on a classic wildlife game drive. Cradled in steep walls, this 260 km² bowl teems with around 25,000 animals (earning it the nickname “Africa’s Garden of Eden”) including the endangered black rhino. Expect to see vast herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo, plus big cats by watering holes.
- Duration: Typically half-day (3–6 hours) with a picnic lunch on the crater floor or we recommend hot lunch back at the lodge.
- Best time: early morning or late afternoon for active wildlife and beautiful light. Dawn drives are especially magical (mist often fills the crater) and good for spotting rhinos. Dress warmly for the chilly early hours and prepare for a thrilling safari immersion.
A game drive in the Ndutu area offers year-round wildlife viewing in the southern Serengeti ecosystem (technically within Ngorongoro Conservation Area). Lake Ndutu and nearby Lake Masek are rich in resident animals and, during the migration season, pulsating with wildebeest and zebra.
- Duration: plan a half- to full-day drive (4–6 hours), often including a picnic by the lakes. Tip: From the crater rim it’s about a 1-hour drive on rough roads – lodging near Ndutu is highly recommended to maximize time with game.
- Best time: December–March (calving season) when predators like lions and hyenas swarm the newborn herds. Early mornings (sunrise safari) and late afternoons are great for predators on the prowl. Even in the dry season, expect to see elephants, giraffes and the action of game gathering at waterholes around Ndutu
Ndutu Balloon Safari – USD599 Per Person
Float above the Ndutu plains at sunrise on a hot-air balloon for an aerial safari adventure. Begin before dawn (pickup ~5–6 AM) and take a 50–60 minute flight over the Serengeti ecosystem, drifting over acacia woodlands, lakes and migrating herds. From the basket you’ll see wildlife (often herds of wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and even predators) from a unique vantage. After touchdown, celebrate with a champagne bush breakfast in the wild.
- Duration: About 1 hour in the air (typically from just before sunrise to about 8am), plus time for the early morning drive and bush breakfast.
- Best time: Year-round, but especially dry season (December to March) when winds are gentle and skies are clear. Flights often start around 6:00–7:00 AM.
- Tips: Dress very warmly for the chilly pre-dawn (layers and a hat). Secure your camera in the basket. Enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime view of the sunrise over the Serengeti. Don’t miss the post-flight toast and elegant breakfast – it’s part of the adventure
Ngorongoro is one of the few places where you can see Africa’s Big Five (lion, leopard, black rhino, buffalo, elephant) in one trip. The crater’s high density of wildlife makes Big Five sightings very likely on a guided game drive. Lions (around 60–100 in the crater) often lounge near water or stalk grazers in Lerai Forest. The permanent waterholes and plains attract rhinos and elephants year-round.
- Duration: Usually done in the crater a half or full day (3–6 hours) game drive is enough to find most of the Big Five, though a full day increases your chances and permits multiple hotspots.
- Best time: early morning or late afternoon when predators are active; midday tends to find buffalo and elephants at watering holes. Ngorongoro’s World Heritage status underlines its conservation importance – it “has global importance for biodiversity” and a high density of threatened species like the black rhino. On a clear day you may tick off all Big Five in a single down-crater safari, a rare accomplishment for safari enthusiasts.
Seeing the Big 5 is not guaranteed in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Maasai Boma Visit – USD100 per Vehicle
Immerse yourself in Maasai culture with a visit to a local Maasai boma (village) in the highlands. A Maasai boma tour typically lasts 2–3 hours (plus travel time) and is led by a Maasai guide. You’ll walk through a traditional enclosure of mud-and-stick huts, learn about daily life (herding and crafts), and often see a vibrant Maasai dance performance. According to Ngorongoro Conservation Authority, visitors “see (and participate in) traditional Maasai dance, see a genuine Maasai hamlet, and even do some souvenir shopping”.
- Duration: About 2 hours.
- Best time: Depends on your date however we recommend late morning or afternoon (combining it with an en-route game drive works well). This experience is family-friendly and provides cultural insight – children often enjoy meeting Maasai families, and couples appreciate the intimate setting.
Step into the “Cradle of Mankind” at Olduvai Gorge, where 1.8 million-year-old hominid fossils were first unearthed.
- Duration: A guided visit typically takes 2–3 hours. Begin at the Olduvai Museum, viewing exhibits of early human tools and remains. Then walk along the gorge rim (with a ranger), stopping at the famed excavation sites.
- Best time: morning to avoid afternoon heat and to maximize cool weather (guide walks can be strenuous). The site lies on the rim of the Serengeti plains and offers panoramic views. Highlights include the digs where Mary Leakey found Homo habilis and Zinjanthropus, and the famous Laetoli footprints site nearby. Snorkel through the deep time and scenery – on a clear day you can see the volcano Oldoinyo Lengai on the horizon. Olduvai’s grandeur is both scientific and scenic, and it’s a must-see for curious travelers
Nearby Olduvai, the Laetoli site preserves a trail of 3.6 million-year-old human footprints in volcanic ash. A guided visit includes a short hike (~1 hour round-trip) from the parking area down to the flat “shadow statues” of ancient walkers.
- Duration: plan 2–3 hours total (including drive and hike).
- Best time: morning or late afternoon (to beat the equatorial heat on the hike). The trail itself is flat and easy, crossing the ash plain. Your guide will explain how Mary Leakey discovered the 70 footprints demonstrating bipedalism. It’s a surreal experience – standing where our prehistoric ancestors stepped. The site is on par with Olduvai in fame, and visiting both provides a complete archaeology tour of the Ngorongoro highlands.
Discover one of the world’s only moving volcanic sand dunes, called the “Shifting Sands.” Located near Olduvai Gorge, this iron-rich ash dune is a solitary crescent 5m high and ~100m long, slowly migrating westward at up to 29 meters per year.
- What to do: A quick walk (15–30 minutes) brings you to the dune. You can climb to its crest for unusual views.
- Duration: about 1–2 hours including walking from the ranger post (game drive vehicles can reach the edge).
- Best time: late afternoon or morning light highlights the dune’s black color. It’s mostly an add-on to an Olduvai visit, but highly photogenic and geologically fascinating. Visitors describe it as “one of the most spectacular moving ash dunes in the world”. Wear sturdy shoes (the ash is fine) and watch for clouds of glassy sand; children often love the novelty of walking on “black desert.”
Empakaai is a collapsed volcanic crater north of the Ngorongoro Crater, featuring a soda lake at its floor.
- What to do: Hike down with a guide and ranger (~30–45 minutes down) through montane forest, then stroll along the small lake shore.
- Duration: Half-day (about 3 hours total) covering ~4 km. The return climb takes effort.
- Best time: Start early to avoid afternoon clouds (or late afternoon for cooler temps). At the bottom you’ll find lush greenery and birdlife (possibly flamingos in the alkaline lake) alongside grazing buffalo and elephant occasionally. Expert guides note the descent takes “30–45 minute” into forest, with a 2–3 hour round-trip. This hike offers great physical activity, plus rewards like views of Oldoinyo Lengai volcano from the rim. Carry water and wear good shoes – the view of the crater and mirror-blue lake is worth the effort.
More Ngorongoro Experiences – Ask for pricing
Sundowner
Ngorongoro Sundowner
Toast the sunset with a cocktail (or soda) at a scenic overlook on the crater rim. Arranged around 5–6 PM after a day of safari, this 1-hour stop offers expansive views of the crater basin as the light fades. It’s a relaxing finale (perfect for honeymooners) to watch wildlife silhouettes and enjoy drinks in the bush.
- Duration: About 30–60 minutes around sunset.
- Best time: Any clear evening, year-round. The dry season offers especially vivid sunsets and fewer clouds, but even rainy-season sunsets can be dramatic.
- Tips: Bring a light sweater or wrap as temperatures drop quickly. Keep your camera ready for spectacular sky colors. Sip slowly and savor snacks (biltong or local canapés) provided by the lodge. Enjoy the quiet view – it’s a time to relax and recount the day’s safari highlights
Bush Breakfast
Ngorongoro Bush breakfast
After an early game drive, refuel with a hearty breakfast picnic at a private spot in the savanna. Typically served around sunrise, you’ll dine on hot eggs, bacon, coffee and juice amid tall grasses. This 1–2 hour experience (food cooked by your guide) is a memorable alternative to lodge buffets and often timed to catch wildlife coming in at dawn.
- Duration: About 45–60 minutes, usually early morning (choose your time with your accommodation).
- Best time: Early dry-season mornings for clear weather and fresh air, but offered year-round by many lodges.
- Tips: Dress warmly for the chilly dawn. Arrive hungry! Enjoy the novelty of dining outdoors – don’t forget to take a photo of your alfresco table setting.
Olmoti Crater Walk
A quieter cousin to Empakaai, Olmoti (“Cooking Pot”) is another volcanic caldera trek. The 3 km round-trip hike (about 1–1.5 hours) leads down steeply 300m into the crater where a waterfall flows and elephants or buffalo may graze.
- Best time: morning for crisp air. It requires a ranger and 4×4 to reach the trailhead. This shorter walk yields panoramic views without the crowds, great for active families.
Spa Treatment
Only Done at Ngorongoro Melia
Unwind at the luxury Ngorongoro Meliá Lodge, which offers an on-site spa using African-inspired products. Couples or solo travelers can book massages, body treatments or facials (lasting 60–90 minutes).
- Duration: Treatments vary (1–2 hours), and advance booking is needed. Best scheduled after a game drive or mid-day. The spa “envelops you in aromas…with a wide range of treatments and the best massage techniques,” promises the lodge. It’s a premium indulgence for those who want pampering with crater views, perfect for honeymooners or luxury travelers wanting to relax after adventures.
Explore our thoughtfully crafted collection of bespoke safaris, designed with care for the little things that shape a truly seamless adventure. From smart drive times and well-paced days to meaningful experiences, time to breathe, expert insight, and trusted local guidance, every itinerary is built to feel effortless, immersive, and entirely your own.
