Traveling Distance to Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the few places in Tanzania which are easy to access.

It’s only 177 km from Arusha and 140 km from Serengeti National Park.

The most convenient option is to take a flight from Arusha to one of the park’s seven airstrips.

You can book an overland safari in a 4×4 safari vehicle from Arusha to Ngorongoro.

Along the way, it’s possible to visit Tarangire and Manyara.

You can either combine these options. Book a one-way Ngorongoro overland safari and fly back to Arusha.

Getting to Ngorongoro Crater by Air

International Air Travel

The best way to reach Tanzania is by air. Tanzania has two international airports.
  • Dar es Salaam International Airport (airport code: DAR)
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO).
  • Charter flights and some international operators to Zanzibar Island (airport code: ZNZ)

Julius Nyerere International Airport is 13 km/8 miles southwest of Dar es Salaam.

Kilimanjaro International Airport is 46 km/29 miles east of Arusha

There are two other regional airports: Zanzibar on the island of Zanzibar and Arusha (8 km/5 miles west of Arusha).

These airports handle much of the safari traffic in and out of the reserves.

If you’re planning to visit Zanzibar, southern and western Tanzania. It is ideal to take a flight to the capital city of Dar es Salaam.

There are some European carriers that fly into Dar es Salaam. Include British Airways, KLM, and Swissair(which share codes with Delta).

There are long-distance bus services between Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda

If you’re planning to visit Northern Tanzania. The best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA).

KLM has daily flights from Amsterdam. Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways / Precision Air also fly into KIA.

All transfers to and from the airport always are inclusive of the tour package price.
 
Tanzania is connected to the Middle East USA, Asia, Africa, and Europe through various hubs.
  • Air Kenya flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Nairobi

  • Ethiopian Airlines flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Addis Ababa

  • KLM flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Amsterdam

  • Emirates flies between London and Kilimanjaro International Airport via Dubai

  • ZanAir Air Excel and Flight Link also offer various domestic options in Tanzania

There are frequent flights to Tanzania from London and Europe. Flight time is about 11 hours depending on stop-overs.

From New York, you should expect to travel for about 19 hours, including stopovers.

How to Book a Flight to Ngorongoro Crater

It is best to check websites like Skyscanner and Expedia to find out more about how to fly to Tanzania.
Also, check with our team for more information on which airport to fly to for the beginning of your safari.
 
When you book a flight to Tanzania the departure tax is included in the price of the ticket.

Airstrips To and From Ngorongoro Crater

Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti to Ngorongoro

Coming from the Seronera area in the Serengeti, the distance to the crater is about 140km/90 mi. The driving time is about three hours.
This can take much longer allowing for wildlife viewing along the way.

Lake Ndutu Airstrip to Ngorongoro Crater

  • Located in the southern part of Lake Ndutu. This airstrip is not far from the Ndutu ranger post of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area,

  • Lake Ndutu is near Lake Masek and they are both saline lakes. Both of these lakes are near Olduvai Gorge.

Manyara Airstrip to Ngorongoro Crater

  • This is the other airstrip that offers flights to and from the Ngorongoro.

  • This airstrip connects Ngorongoro with other destinations like Zanzibar, Nairobi, and Serengeti.

  • It’s an 80km/50 mi drive from Lake Manyara to the Ngorongoro Crater.

Major Airports to Ngorongoro Crater

There are three major airports in Tanzania that operate flights in Ngorongoro crater.

These include Daresealaam Airport, Kilimanjaro Airport, and Arusha Airport.

It is also possible to take a flight from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO). Or Wilson Airport (WIL) to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

When traveling from the Lake Victoria area, the favored airport is Mwanza Airport (MWZ).

Getting to Ngorongoro Conservation Area by Road

Ngorongoro Drive-in Safaris

The most popular way to travel to Ngorongoro Crater by road is by booking a drive-in safari. In general, the drive-in safaris start from the town of Arusha.

 

It takes about two hours to travel from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater. You can decide to overnight at the lodges or tented camps

Ngorongoro Self-drive Safaris

Although not recommended, the Ngorongoro Crater is accessible when traveling by (rental) vehicle.  A 4×4 vehicle is required to be able to access all roads throughout the year.

Ngorongoro Accommodations

Ngorongoro Tours & Safaris

Meet Elibariki,

Your Tanzania Safari Specialist.

(Call or WhatsApp)
+255 742 696 430

Meet Elibariki,

Your Tanzania Safari Specialist.

(Call or WhatsApp)
+255 742 696 430

General Travel Information

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips which attract people with the same interest and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.

Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.

Memorable meals are one of the hallmarks of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed. Depending on the service level or type of tour you have chosen, pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win situation for an enjoyable diet. Other tours are accompanied by our cook and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners include hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges.

The answer is absolute yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos. We conduct safaris in places that are politically stable to assure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.

Our Professional Safari Guides are well trained about wild animal behaviors and they have enough experience to lead our clients in the wilderness. Our vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rovers with a hutched roof to give maximum visibility of a game.

African safaris guarantee unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the core characters of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”). On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified! Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises one could ever imagine! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Tanzania destinations are accessible throughout the year but we advise you to take your tours during the dry session for the safari so as you can enjoy the best sightings at this time as the grasses and bush are at their least dense. July to October and December through February. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you have also a plan to coincides with Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park’

(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho, or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.

Although more than 2000 languages and dialects are spoken throughout Africa, this presents no problem as English is spoken throughout East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual so we get you covered.

African safaris guarantee unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the core characters of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”). On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified! Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises one could ever imagine! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are determined to ensure that you experience the luxury of genuinely memorable travel. On every trip, we aim to create a ‘charmed space’ within which you can relax, absorb fresh insights, be stimulated and charmed by new encounters – and have fun!

Whether traveling alone or with friends, Blessing Safaris guests often mention how particularly agreeable they find their traveling companions. our groups are deliberately small, comprising 2 to 7 guests especially for safari.

Our team carefully researched and focused on trips which attract people with the same interest and naturally get on well with each other through their shared interests.

Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information – packing tips, detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport and visa requirements, and minimum and maximum numbers of guests on tours.

Memorable meals are one of the hallmarks of an excellent holiday. With the support of the best cooks, the quality of food and drink service is guaranteed. Depending on the service level or type of tour you have chosen, pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win situation for an enjoyable diet. Other tours are accompanied by our cook and others are inclusive service from our accommodation partners include hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges

Help us to help you by organizing even better tours, and save money. If you contact us in advance you will save a big deal in terms of price as you have the best time for negotiation and customization of the tour with a safari planner and save more.

Why not? , We offer private tours whether you’re alone or with family and friends celebrating a special anniversary or planning a reunion of family and friends you can discuss with us. We can create a special itinerary away from traffic, travel in style with the itinerary specifically shaped to your requirements.

The answer is absolutely yes! The areas where safaris are organized are safe and free of political chaos. We conduct safaris in places that are politically stable to assure our clients’ safety and enjoyment.

Our Professional Safari Guides are well trained about wild animal behaviors and they have enough experience to lead our clients in the wilderness. Our vehicles are 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rovers with a hutched roof to give maximum visibility of a game.

African safaris guarantee unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the core characters of the African savanna. You roam across the countryside in search of Elephants, Lions, Rhinos, Cape buffalo, and Leopards (the so-called “Big Five”). On any given day, you will encounter Blue Wildebeests, Zebras, a large variety of antelope species, Gazelles, Giraffes, Baboons, and Hippos. The birdlife is fantastic – in some areas, up to 400 bird species have been identified! Think of the majestic Baobab tree (some tribes believe that the tree was indeed planted upside-down!), and there are hundreds of varieties of thorn trees! You will also see the acacia-dotted landscape, endless plains, majestic mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises one could ever imagine! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

This aspect is much overstated. You will rarely see a snake, but if you do, it will most likely be from the safety of your safari vehicle. Tents and lodges all have bug screens fitted to windows and doors. In most areas where bugs or mosquitoes are prevalent, rooms and tents are also equipped with mosquito nets, adding to the idealistic ambiance. Bear in mind that malaria is a threat in most wildlife areas, and it is necessary to consult your doctor for advice before embarking on your safari.

Tanzania destinations are accessible throughout the year but we advise you to take your tours during the dry session for the safari so as you can enjoy the best sightings at this time as the grasses and bush are at their least dense. July to October and December through February. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you have also a plan to coincides with Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park

Note – the migration is a natural event and the timing varies month by month; year by year. A good thing is it won’t happen in one day it takes time to complete. And we update most of our clients once the migration starts, so if your great desire is to witness the migration communicate with us in advance so as we can try our best to assure your encounter. Please note that the vast majority of travelers do not witness the wildebeest crossing of the Mara as the timing and duration varies widely each year. The best probable months are July, August, September

Around the turn of the century (until the ’30s and ’40s), mobile tenting was the only option, and “camp as you go” was the standard practice. Over the years the luxury connected with the traditional mobile tenting safari has increased. By the same token, one can understand that the cost of having a “luxury hotel” following one around in Africa is expensive. However, most people settle for permanent tented camps. Because they are “permanent” they can be equipped with flush toilets and traditional bathroom fixtures and conveniences. Don’t be misled by terminology – a permanent tented camp offers the comfort of a 5-star hotel but with the romance and adventure of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of Africa.

(We suggest you remember) insect repellent (the best way to prevent malaria and other insect-borne diseases), sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, binoculars, detergent powder if you want to wash some clothes yourself, hand-wipes small flashlight, aspirin, diarrhea medicine, rain jacket, poncho or collapsible umbrella, plastic bags (for wet clothes, swimsuit and for keeping dust away from camera equipment), Kleenex/toilet tissue a neck chain for eyeglasses if you take them off to use binoculars and cameras, any medical prescription you need, masking tape or labels for marking exposed films cans, film, extra camera batteries.

Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken throughout Africa, this presents no problem as English is spoken throughout East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual so we get you covered