How a crater safari works
A crater safari means driving down the crater wall and spending part of the day on the floor, looking for animals from a vehicle. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles may go down. A licensed guide goes with the vehicle, so do not plan to drive yourself.
The permit is a single entry valid for 24 hours. That does not mean you can stay on the crater floor around the clock. Driving is generally allowed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the last descent can be earlier than the evening closing time. Ask your operator for the cut-off on your day and do not count on a late descent.
Our picks: Ngorongoro safaris
Day and multi-day safaris with the crater on the route, some of them camping.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater camping safari
All park, transit, concession, camping and crater fees are included, plus full board, tents and a cook. Insurance and tips are not included.
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Ngorongoro Crater day safari with a driver-guide
Twelve hours in a 4x4 with pop-up roof, with all park and crater fees, a picnic lunch and hotel transfers. Maasai village visits are an optional extra.
Check availability →2-day Tarangire and Ngorongoro Crater safari
A 4x4 safari vehicle with a guide, entry to Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and one night with full board. Visa and personal items are extra.
Check availability →Ngorongoro crater safari tours
Day trips and multi-day safaris that include the crater, with live prices and availability.
The crater is one of several drives
The conservation area offers more than the crater floor.
Game drives are possible in several parts of the conservation area: the Ndutu plains, Sale plains, the Gol mountains, Nasera Rock, Embulbul and the Olkarien gorge, as well as the crater. Each needs its own planning, and the fees for each are set out on the fees page. The Ndutu plains are the place for the calving season, covered on the Ndutu page.
Walks are a different activity. Walking safaris are not allowed inside the crater. They take place on suitable highlands and rim routes, always with an armed ranger and prior booking. The Empakaai crater is the best-known walk.
Rules on the crater floor
What your guide will ask you to follow.
Stay in the vehicle
Leave the vehicle only at designated places. Ngoitoktok Spring is an approved stop for getting out and having a picnic. Hippos live there, elephants and lions pass through, and birds of prey snatch food, so keep your lunch covered.
Keep your distance
The rules allow a maximum of 5 vehicles at one sighting and ask for at least 25 m from animals. Driving off the tracks needs permission.
Expect cold on the rim
The rim can be noticeably cooler than the crater floor. Bring warm layers for early drives.
Plan for the animals, not a guarantee
The crater is known for black rhino, lions and elephants, but no tour can promise a sighting. See the wildlife page for what is realistic.
What costs extra
Fees are split into several lines.
The entry fee is charged per person. The Crater Service Fee is charged per vehicle, so sharing a vehicle spreads that part among the passengers. A vehicle permit comes on top. A tour price may or may not include these, so ask what is covered before you book. Overnight stays inside the conservation area add nightly charges, while lodging in Karatu outside the gate does not carry the conservation area concession fee.
Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara are separate parks with their own tariffs. They are not covered by the Ngorongoro entry fee. For a comparison of start points and package types, see tours compared.
Ngorongoro crater safari: frequently asked questions
Can I do a crater safari in one day?
A day trip is possible, but the drive from Arusha is about 180 km and 3 to 4 hours to the Ngorongoro area, so the day is long. See Arusha to Ngorongoro.
Can I drive myself into the crater?
Only four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed on the crater floor, and a licensed guide is expected in the vehicle. Planning a self-drive descent is not advisable.
How long can I stay on the crater floor?
The permit allows one entry within 24 hours. In practice, the time depends on the driving hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the last descent time. Confirm both with your operator.
Does a crater safari include the Serengeti?
No. The Serengeti is a separate park with its own tariff. Many trips combine the two, but each is paid for on its own terms.
Can I get out of the vehicle to walk?
No. Walking is not allowed in the crater. You can get out only at designated places such as the Ngoitoktok Spring picnic site.