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    wo elephants and a rhinoceros walk through grassy plains on a luxury Ngorongoro Crater safari.

    Luxury Ngorongoro Crater safaris made for you

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    Incredible wildlife sightings and remarkable views

    Excellent game viewing in an ancient volcanic caldera

    Nearly 20 kilometres in diameter, the Ngorongoro Crater measures in as the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. Views from atop the 600 metre high walls are spectacular and open up a new world of wonder to those visiting this gorgeous country.

    A great introduction to Tanzania, this incredible natural world, almost self-containted within the wals of the crater, offers you incredible safari sightings with a whole host of excellent plains game. You may even spot the elusive leopard perched high in the trees or stalking across the plains.

    Bright flamingos can be seen wading through the central soda lake and the freshwater lakes provide excellent birdwatching opportunities, so keep your binoculars handy. Hyenas are sometimes seen following the lions from a distance in hopes of a meal and jackal can often be spotted skulking around the bushier areas of the crater.

    Our Africa travel designers have been to Ngorongoro Crater, they understand the best times to visit and importantly, where to stay. Speak to us to plan your Ngorongoro safari adventure with the best lodges and timing, thinking through the details – including that moment with a cold drink in hand looking out over the huge crater below.

    From our experts

    Experiences picked by our Ngorongoro Crater safari specialists

    Game drive at dawn and dusk

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    Head out on action-packed early morning and afternoon game drives, when wildlife is at its most active.

    Watch sunset from the crater rim

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    Enjoy excellent views from the top of the crater rim walls, best experiencd at sunset from your luxury lodge.

    Float over the crater in a hot air balloon

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    Take a breathtaking hot air balloon flight over the crater as the sun rises and sip a glass of bubbly once you land.

    Hike to the rim through Ngorongoro Forest

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    Hike to the Ngorongoro Forest and ascend the slopes to the crater rim with magnificent views of the crater floor below.

    A word from one of our experts

    Spending time in the remarkable lush landscapes of the Ngorongoro Crater is a truly unforgettable experience. Beyond the incredible wildlife here, the views are incredible and the local Maasai people are warm and welcoming.

    Tor Saner headshot
    Tor Saner

    Senior Travel Designer

    Luxury Ngorongoro Crater safari lodges

    There are many incredible places to stay in the Ngorongoro Crater. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

    Ngorongoro Crater

    Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
    Perched up high on the edge of this remarkable natural wonder, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge holds a prime position. With views spanning the spectacular caldera, you can enjoy a relaxing visit to this otherwise bustling attraction and dip into a world that’s the permanent home to roughly 25,000 animals. The huge amounts of game that find sanctuary here roam over 20 kilometres on the crater floor and this allows for some excellent game viewing opportunities. Prides of bachelor lions are sometimes seen spanning the landscape, on the hunt for their own families and, dotted among the plains game, you might be lucky enough to spot a rhino in the distance. Morning and afternoon game drives are taken by highly experienced guides with visits to the nearby Olduvai Gorge available when vehicle occupancy allows. The crater itself can get quite busy but there’s a peaceful quiet that flows through the rooms, social areas and outside spaces of the lodge. North and South Camp both have twelve beautiful suites and the Tree Camp, slightly set apart from the others, has just six. Raised up on stilts, these rooms are all tastefully decorated with Tanzanian hardwoods and silk curtains which make the rooms cosy and warm; the ridge can get quite nippy, after all. The dining areas have viewing decks and comfortable indoor lounges which are ideal for catching up on some midday afternoon reading, or ticking off the birds that you might have seen so far. You could also decide to have a relaxing massage in your room, and completely pamper yourself.  
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    Why book with Jacada?

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    Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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    Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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    Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

    Trip inspiration

    Get inspired with our Ngorongoro Crater example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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    A Signature Northern Tanzania Safari

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    Classic Tanzania Tour

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    A classic seven night tour of Tanzania‘s best wildlife highlights within the mesmerising natural beauty of the Ngorongoro Crater and North Serengeti plains.
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    Ready to plan your adventure?

    Whatever you want from your Ngorongoro Crater tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

    Discover more of Tanzania

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    Katavi National Park

    For safari experts, the isolated Katavi National Park comes highly recommended. With a combination of grassland plains, marshland, rugged hills, woodland, lakes and rivers, this multifaceted region of Tanzania is home to a dense and varied wildlife quotient - including predators.

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    Kilimanjaro Climb

    The mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, or ‘The Roof of Africa’, is the continent’s highest mountain. To reach this dormant volcano’s snow-capped peak, hikers have to embark on a challenging yet epic journey. As you ascend the mountain you will camp from point to point, enjoying staggering sights along the way.

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    Lake Manyara

    Lake Manyara has an abundance of animal species ranging from baboons, blue monkeys and bushbuck in its evergreen forests, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe and zebra on its flood plains. Its acacia woodland is popular amongst its leopards and tree-climbing lions. One of the main draws to the park is its variation of birdlife.

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    Mahale Mountains

    Sitting right by the longest freshwater lake in the world, Mahale Mountains is the best place to visit for spotting chimpanzees in Tanzania. The region also offers plenty of opportunities to spot birds and aquatic life of all kinds.

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    Mwiba Wildlife Reserve

    Marking the southernmost point of the wildebeest’s migration loop, Mwiba Wildlife Reserve is where the herds spread out across the wider region to calve between January and March. There is only one permanent camp option so you’re guaranteed unbeatable privacy and exclusivity. There is also the possibility of setting off on night drives.

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    North Serengeti

    The North Serengeti forms the border with the equally famous Maasai Mara of Kenya. This is the region where the herds are at their most concentrated during the migration, and it’s where you’ll see the infamous river crossings.

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    Nyerere National Park

    Nyerere National Park is the largest game reserve in all eastern Africa. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region remains relatively untouched by humans but expect to see a huge concentration of elephants (almost half of all of Tanzania’s). With the mighty Rufiji River flowing through the reserve, visitors can also spot crocodiles and hippos.

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    Ruaha National Park

    Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania and East Africa. This pristine area has the same wildlife density and diversity of the Kruger, but with only around 1% of the visitors, so privacy is a given.

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    Serengeti National Park

    The Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s most famous national parks. It is host to Africa’s Great Migration where huge herds of wildebeest, zebra and antelope travel around before making their way into Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara.

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    Singita Grumeti

    Singita Grumeti is Tanzania’s largest private reserve. The reserve is exclusive to Singita properties, which means privacy is a given. The region offers unrivalled game viewing experiences, and especially during the Great Wildebeest Migration between the months of June and July.

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    Tarangire National Park

    Tarangire National Park is home to huge herds of elephants. There are also over 550 bird species including the Yellow-collared Lovebirds and the world’s heaviest flying bird, the Kori Bustard. Depending on the time of the year, you can also see the migratory wildebeest.

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    Zanzibar

    White sand beaches and a laid back atmosphere are the perfect combination to any adventurous safari. Beachfront hotels, nestled in spice gardens and shrouded in palms are the backdrop to your island activities.

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    Meet your Africa team

    When to visit the Ngorongoro Crater

    Tanzania is an amazing destination to visit all year round, but if you’re after the Great Migration, visit between June and July. The iconic river crossings take place from August to October and calves are born at the start of the year, with up to 8000 born daily during February.

    The Great Migration

    June–October

    Mount Kilimanjaro

    January–March

    Green season

    January–February

    When Is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

    When Is the Best Time to Visit Tanzania?

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    Plan your trip to the Ngorongoro Crater

    Whatever you want from your adventure in the Ngorongoro Crater, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

    Start Planning

    Don't take our word for it

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    Your trip, your story

    We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

    Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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