Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: where it is located, when to go, and what to see

The view from the crater's edge is so stunning that it leaves anyone in awe, and as you delve deeper into the extinct volcano, it becomes increasingly breathtaking. Ngorongoro is the volcano that belongs to the namesake national reserve, one of the most famous in Tanzania, and is compared to Noah's Ark due to the abundant presence of wildlife, such as lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeests, buffalo, cheetahs, and hyenas. Additionally, thanks to a habitat characterized by lakes, streams, and marshes, it is very easy to spot flamingos, hippos, and crocodiles.During a trip to this country, you cannot miss a safari in this protected area considered one of the most beautiful in all of Africa. Here is a guide to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: where it is located, when to go, and what to see!

Where is it located?

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a natural area located in the caldera of the namesake volcano situated in the Serengeti plains, northwest of the capital city Arusha and east of the Serengeti National Park. The crater, at an altitude of 2,200 meters, is 16 km in diameter and covers a total area of 265 square kilometers. The area also includes two smaller craters, Olmoti and Empakaai, as well as the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge.

Getting there

From Milan or Rome there are no direct flights from Italy. The most convenient airport is Arusha. From Italy, Qatar operates flights to Arusha with a layover in Doha and Kisauni (duration 18 h), Ethiopian with a layover in Addis Ababa and Kisauni (17 h), and KLM with a layover in Amsterdam, Kilimanjaro, and Dar Es Salaam (23 h) - Compare flights
From major European capitals there are no direct flights to Arusha. From Amsterdam, KLM operates flights with a layover in Kilimanjaro and Dar Es Salaam. From London, British Airways makes a stop in Dar Es Salaam. From Paris, Ethiopian flies with a stop in Addis Ababa (flight duration between 18 and 24 h) - Compare flights

How to reach the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Once you land in Arusha, you can reach the area by traveling approximately 3 hours on the paved road B144 -A104, which is 146 km long. Although it is possible to rent a car, it is strongly advised against in Tanzania since driving within the parks is not permitted unless you are with authorized guides.Therefore, it is recommended to rent a car with a driver at a cost of around $160.00 (€140.00) or purchase organized packages from local or international agencies.

When to go? Info on climate and best time

Climate subtropical, but influenced by altitude with mild daytime temperatures and cool nights, especially on the crater's edge, where nighttime temperatures can drop to 0°. There are two seasons: a dry season from June to September with little rainfall, and a wet season from October to May, divided into a short rain period from October to December and a long rain period from March to May
Best time to go from June to September, as rain is rare and although nighttime temperatures are slightly lower (around 8°), it is still dry. For viewing the great migration of zebras and wildebeests, the months of January and February, during the rainy season, is the best time
Time to avoid from October to May, especially April, which is the rainiest month of the year

What to bring: recommended clothing and equipment

Clothing long pants, cotton t-shirts, a heavy sweater, a heavy rain jacket, comfortable sneakers, a hat, heavy pajamas
Equipment for those who plan to camp: tent, sleeping pad, camp stove, heavy sleeping bag. Binoculars, multi-tool knife, water bottle

10 things to see: wildlife and points of interest

Wake up at dawn on the Ngorongoro crater to watch the sunrise and begin the descent, which takes 30 minutes by jeep to the interior of the volcano
Take a safari inside Ngorongoro to spot the flora and fauna present here. You can see lions, elephants, cheetahs, wildebeests, zebras, and rhinos (though very rare)
Stop near the ponds and marshes inside the crater; in addition to seeing flamingos and hippos, you may spot numerous animals coming to drink
Park birds with the help of a telescope and an expert guide, you can identify various types of birds
Stay in a lodge enjoying the sunset from the terrace of one of the spectacular lodges located on the Ngorongoro crater is an experience to cherish
Olduvai Gorge an important archaeological site within a 40 km valley, where the first traces of human settlement were found
Empakaai Crater in addition to Ngorongoro crater, the area also includes the Empakaai crater, which has a large lake ideal for birdwatching
Ndutu Region part of the northern section of the Ngorongoro conservation area; here in addition to a lake, there are rolling grasslands dotted with alkaline lakes that attract flocks of flamingos and acacia forests
Maasai Village since the Maasai tribes have grazing rights in the Ngorongoro area, we suggest taking a hike accompanied by a guide to learn about these tribes
Lake Eyasi a beautiful lake located on the southernmost border of the area, offering stunning views and opportunities to see local wildlife

Excursions and guided tours in Ngorongoro Park

How much does it cost to visit Ngorongoro Park? Prices, offers, and tips

maasai boma in ngorongoro conservation area 1 — Photo by George Lamson.

Visiting Ngorongoro Crater is not very inexpensive; first, to enter the area, you must pay an entrance fee of $78.00 (€71.00) per person per day. In addition, you must add the vehicle permit cost of $297.00 (€270.00).Regarding overnights on the crater rim, there are various options: from the most economical camp with facilities and showers costing $20.00 (€17.00), to the more expensive lodges with prices ranging from $120.00 to $300.00 (€110.00 to €270.00) per night. For meals, it is possible to organize self-catering with a camp stove, and in this case, it is recommended to do your shopping in Arusha, or you can eat at the lodges at an average cost of $30.00 (€28.00)

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Travel informed: useful info

Population 44,928,923
Capital Dodoma
Languages Swahili, English
Local currency Tanzanian shilling (€1.00 = 2,543.68 TZS); the US dollar is also widely used (€1.00 = $1.10)
Climate tropical, with two seasons: dry from June to September, and rainy from October to May.In the southwest, rains are only from December to April, while in the central-western area from October to December there is a short rain season and from December to May, a long rain season - learn more
Vaccinations against yellow fever are mandatory only for those entering Tanzania overland from at-risk countries or if transiting through airports in at-risk countries for more than 12 hours. It is advised to take malaria prophylaxis during the rainy season, and vaccines against hepatitis A and B, tetanus, and diphtheria
Entry requirements passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity. The visa can be obtained directly upon arrival at the three international airports of Tanzania ($50.00, €44.00), or it may be applied for at the Tanzanian Embassy in Rome or at the Tanzanian Consulate in Milan. More info on the official website.
Distance from Italy 5,831 km (7 h and 45 min of direct flight)

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