The short answer
- Time needed
- Half to a full day
- Crater fee
- US$295 per vehicle
- Area fee
- About US$71 per person per 24 hrs
- Best for
- Black rhinos, lions, a little of everything
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera, about 20 kilometres across, with walls rising some 600 metres to a forested rim. Its floor is a self contained world of grassland, swamps, a soda lake and fever tree forest, and one of the best places in East Africa to see black rhinos.
The crater lies inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Maasai still graze their cattle alongside wildlife, which also includes Olduvai Gorge and the calving plains of Ndutu.
What you can see
- Black rhinos: A small, closely protected population, usually seen at a distance on the open plains.
- Lions and hyenas: Lions are seen on most visits, often close to the vehicles.
- Big herds: Zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and gazelles live in the crater all year.
- Old tuskers: Bull elephants with big tusks feed in the Lerai Forest; breeding herds rarely descend.
- Flamingos and hippos: On Lake Magadi and at the Ngoitokitok picnic site.
Fees and rules
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Conservation area fee | About US$70.80 per person per 24 hours, including VAT |
| Crater service fee | US$295 per vehicle per descent, shared by everyone in the vehicle |
| Time on the crater floor | Limited to about six hours |
| Opening | Descent roads open at about 6am; vehicles must be out by about 6pm |
| Vehicles | 4x4 only, with a licensed guide; no walking on the crater floor |
Non resident adult fees including 18% VAT, as published in October 2026. Serengeti and other national parks are set by TANAPA; the Ngorongoro Conservation Area by the NCAA. Published figures differ between sources and fees are charged per 24 hours, so confirm with your operator.
Tip: Go down at opening time. The light is beautiful, the animals are active, and by late morning the popular sightings get busy.
Where to stay
- On the crater rim: Lodges with views into the crater, about 2,300 metres up, so nights are cold. Closest to the descent road.
- Karatu: A town about 30 to 45 minutes from the gate, with farm lodges and lower prices, and no conservation area fee for the night.
Fitting it into a safari
The crater sits on the road between Arusha and the Serengeti, so most safaris visit it on the way in or out. On the way out, it makes a superb final morning before the drive back to Arusha. See our Tanzania safari itineraries.
Rather have a trip to Tanzania made just for you?
Answer a few quick questions and a local specialist will send you a free, no-obligation itinerary and price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Ngorongoro Crater?
About US$70.80 per person for the conservation area per 24 hours, plus US$295 per vehicle for the crater descent, shared by everyone in the vehicle.
How long can you stay in the Ngorongoro Crater?
Visits to the crater floor are limited to about six hours, which is plenty for a morning game drive and a picnic lunch.
Is the Ngorongoro Crater worth it?
Yes. It's one of the most reliable places in Africa for lions and black rhinos, and the setting is unforgettable. The fee is high, so share a vehicle if you're on a budget.
Can you stay overnight in the crater?
No. Lodges and camps are on the rim or in Karatu; camping on the crater floor isn't allowed.
Sources we checked
Tanzania month by month
More Tanzania guides
Best time to visit Tanzania: safari, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar by month
June to October is the best time for most of Tanzania: dry safaris, good climbing on Kilimanjaro and sunny Zanzibar. January and February are a second high season, with calving in the southern Serengeti. Avoid April and May, the long rains.
Updated 16 October 2026
How much does a Tanzania safari cost? Prices, park fees and a calculator
Expect about US$250 to 350 per person per day for a budget camping safari, US$400 to 700 mid range and US$900 or more for luxury, including park fees. Fees alone add about US$150 a day in the Serengeti once the nightly concession fee is included.
Updated 16 October 2026
The Great Migration in Tanzania: where to see it month by month
The herds spend about ten months a year in Tanzania. Stay around Ndutu for calving in January and February, the Western Corridor in June, and the northern Serengeti near Kogatende for Mara River crossings from July to October.
Updated 16 October 2026
Tanzania safari itineraries: 3, 5, 7 and 10 days
Every northern safari starts in Arusha. Three days covers Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, five adds the Serengeti, seven is the classic northern circuit, and ten adds Zanzibar or the far north of the Serengeti.
Updated 16 October 2026