Overview

Things to do

Getting there

When to go

Accommodation

Tour Packages

Travel Info

FAQ

Traveling Distance to Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the few places in Tanzania that is 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 a 4×4 overland safari 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 to and from the reserves.

Suppose you’re planning to visit Zanzibar, in southern and western Tanzania. It is ideal to fly to the capital, Dar es Salaam.

Several European carriers 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 airport transfers are included in the tour package price.
 
Tanzania is connected to the Middle East, the USA, Asia, Africa, and Europe via multiple 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, Excel, and Flight Link also offer a range of domestic options in Tanzania.

There are frequent flights to Tanzania from London and Europe. Flight time is about 11 hours, depending on stopovers.

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 such as Skyscanner and Expedia to learn more about how to fly to Tanzania.
Also, check with our team for more information on which airport to fly into at the start of your safari.
 
When you book a flight to Tanzania, the departure tax is included in the ticket price.

Airstrips To and From Ngorongoro Crater

Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti to Ngorongoro

From the Seronera area in the Serengeti, the crater is about 140km (90 mi) away. 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, both of which are 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 to destinations including Zanzibar, Nairobi, and the Serengeti.

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

Major Airports to Ngorongoro Crater

Three major airports in Tanzania serve the Ngorongoro Crater.

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

It is also possible to fly from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International 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 in Arusha.

It takes about two hours to travel from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater. You can decide to stay 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 access all roads year-round.

Ngorongoro Tours & Safaris

  • From

    12 Days East Africa Budget Safari

  • holidays

    From

    3 Days Nairobi to Serengeti Safari

  • serengeti signature safari

    From $3,800

    4 Days, 3 Nights

    4 Days Serengeti Signature Safari

    Serengeti National Park

  • ndutu migration calving season

    From $2,470

    6 Days, 5 Nights

    5 Days Ndutu Migration Safari

    Serengeti &Ngorongoro Crater

  • client pausing for photo afer hot air balloon in serengeti , Tanzania

    From $4,890

    10 Days, 9 Nights

    10 Days Tanzania Family Safari

    Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Lake Natron, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater

  • serengeti great migration safari

    From $3,160

    8 Days, 7 Nights

    8 Days Wildebeest Migration Serengeti (River- Crossing)

    Tarangire, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara

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 that attract people with the same interests 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 a hallmark 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 tour type you have chosen, a pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win for an enjoyable trip. Our cook accompanies other tours, and other services are included with our accommodation partners, including 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 politically stable regions to ensure 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 Cruisers and Land Rovers with a hatchback roof to maximize visibility of the game.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features 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 imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Tanzania destinations are accessible year-round, but we recommend scheduling your safari during the dry season (July to October and December through February) for the best sightings, as grasses and bush are at their least dense. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you have also a plan to coincides with the 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 200 languages and dialects are spoken across Africa, this is not a problem, as English is widely spoken in East and Southern Africa. In addition to English, all our professional guides are multilingual, so we have you covered.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features 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 imaginable! Think of a late afternoon thunderstorm, short but violent, and then the beautiful rainbow.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are committed to ensuring 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 that attract people with the same interests 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 a hallmark 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 tour type you have chosen, a pre-discussion with your tour planner is a win-win for an enjoyable trip. Our cook accompanies other tours, and other services are included with our accommodation partners, including hotels, private camps, and luxury lodges.

Please help us help you by organizing even better tours and saving money. If you contact us in advance, you will save significantly on price, as you have the best time to negotiate and customize the tour with a safari planner.

Why not? We offer private tours for individuals, families, and groups. Whether you’re celebrating a special anniversary or planning a family reunion, we can discuss your needs. We can create a special itinerary away from traffic, travel in style,e with the itinerary shaped explicitly 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 politically stable regions to ensure 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 Cruisers and Land Rovers with a hatchback roof to maximize visibility of the game.

African safaris offer unlimited sightseeing; millions of animals, birds, and plant life are the defining features 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 imaginable! 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 year-round, but we recommend scheduling your safari during the dry season (July to October and December through February) for the best sightings, as grasses and bush are at their least dense. The green session includes March through June. Discuss with us for the best option if you also have a plan to coincide with the Wildebeest Migration in Serengeti National Park

Note: the migration is a natural process, and timing varies month by month andyear by year. Fortunately, it won’t happen in one day; it takes time to complete. We update most of our clients once the migration begins, so if your primary goal is to witness the migration, please get in touch with us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you. Please note that most travelers do not see the wildebeest crossing in the Mara, as the timing and duration vary widely each year. The best probable months are July, August, and 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 associated with traditional mobile tenting safaris 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 the terminology – a permanent tented camp offers the comfort of a 5-star hotel, 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 across Africa, this is not a problem, as English is widely spoken in East and Southern Africa. Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual, so we get you covered

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