Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
The Ngorongoro Crater stands as a premier hotspot for the Big Five in Tanzania, bustling with an abundance of wildlife. This unique ecosystem is particularly renowned for its extraordinary predator encounters. Home to the highest concentration of lions globally, the crater also boasts a frequent presence of spotted hyenas. Visitors should keep an eye out for smaller predators, including golden and black-backed jackals and the elusive bat-eared foxes, which add to the area’s rich tapestry of wildlife. Fortune may further reward you with sights of these smaller carnivores in action, hunting rodents or birds, offering a complete and dynamic safari experience.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a sanctuary for many of the safari circuit’s most iconic species. The black rhino, a highly sought-after sighting, takes center stage among the crater’s inhabitants. Large herds of buffalo roam the expansive grasslands, painting a classic African savanna scene. While elephant herds seldom venture into the crater, several solitary bulls with impressive tusks have adopted the crater floor as their domain, adding to the area’s allure. Outside the crater, giraffes roam freely across the broader conservation area, yet they remain absent from the crater floor itself, likely deterred by the steep encircling walls that present a formidable obstacle.
Observing wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater is a rewarding experience all year round, with the Dry season (June to October) offering the best conditions for spotting animals, thanks to the shorter grass. During the Wet season (November to May), the crater’s landscape transforms into a lush, vibrant spectacle, offering stunning scenic views. However, the taller grass during this period may make it more challenging to catch a glimpse of the crater’s smaller inhabitants. The months of March and April, in particular, see the highest levels of rainfall, further enhancing the verdant beauty of the environment but possibly hindering visibility of wildlife.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
450+
Nov to Apr
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
Plenty of sunshine graces the crater floor, while mist often envelops the rim, creating a cooler atmosphere necessitating warm attire for game drives.
June, July, August & September – Expect afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor with clear skies. Nights can be cold, possibly freezing on the crater rim.
October – Typically sunny, although early arrival of short rains may occur, possibly starting in late October.
During the Wet season, daytime temperatures rise compared to the Dry season, yet mornings remain brisk. Afternoons typically reach around 23°C/73°F on the crater floor, while nighttime temperatures hover around 6°C/43°F on the crater rim.
November & December – ‘Short rains’ – These brief showers, occurring mainly in the afternoons, are unlikely to disrupt your safari plans. Lasting approximately one month, they may fall anytime between November and December.
January & February – The interval between rains is unpredictable, but a period of dry weather often occurs.
March, April & May – ‘Long rains’ – Rainfall is common during this period, usually not persisting throughout the day. April and May may experience notably cold conditions due to cold fronts.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a key destination on the Northern Circuit safari, often visited en route to Serengeti National Park. Conveniently located just a 3-hour drive (180km/112mi) from the town of Arusha, the starting point for safaris in northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro is easily accessible via a well-maintained tarred road.
Travelers have various options for exploring the Northern circuit. They can hop between parks using small aircraft on chartered or scheduled flights departing from Arusha. Alternatively, they can embark on a safari vehicle journey, either covering the entire circuit or specific parts of it. A popular itinerary involves flying into Serengeti and returning by safari vehicle via Ngorongoro Crater, or vice versa. In most cases, the safari guide from Bush 2 City Adventure will meet visitors at the airport and handle all further arrangements.
For those traveling from the Seronera area in Serengeti, the journey to the crater spans about 140km/90mi and takes approximately 3 hours by road, although the duration can extend considerably due to wildlife sightings along the way. The drive from Lake Manyara National Park to the crater covers 80km/50mi and typically takes about 2 hours, while the route from Tarangire National Park spans 180km/110mi and requires approximately 4 hours.
The most convenient gateway to Arusha is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located approximately 50km/31mi away. Travelers can also opt to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and then connect to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
We offer convenient flight booking services to Tanzania at great rates. Alternatively, you can arrange your flights. Either way, we’ll take care of your accommodations and itinerary.
There are two direct flight options from Europe to Tanzania. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operates daily flights from Amsterdam to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, while Turkish Airlines offers daily flights from Istanbul to the same destinations. These are convenient choices for travelers seeking direct routes.
Alternatively, you can fly to Nairobi, the key air travel hub in East Africa, and connect to Tanzania with Kenya Airways, which provides daily flights to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. European airlines offering flights to Nairobi include British Airways from London Heathrow, Air France from Paris, Swiss Air from Zurich, Brussels Airlines from Brussels, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, and Kenya Airways from London Heathrow or Amsterdam. Many travelers favor Kenya Airways for its efficient overnight service from London to Nairobi, with a convenient connection to Dar es Salaam arriving around 9:00 AM.
Additional connection options for those flying directly into Dar es Salaam include Egypt Air via Cairo, Emirates via Dubai, Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, Oman Air via Muscat, and Qatar Airways via Doha. Several airlines also operate flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, providing flexibility for your Tanzanian safari adventure.
Getting to Tanzania: Simplified GuideÂ
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From North America:
There are no direct flights to Tanzania from North America. Travelers typically make one stop in Istanbul (via Turkish Airlines) or Amsterdam (via KLM). Turkish Airlines connects 13 North American cities to Tanzania through Istanbul, while KLM offers connections from many U.S. and Canadian cities via Amsterdam. For example, the journey from New York to Dar es Salaam with KLM takes about 21 hours, while flights from Los Angeles take only slightly longer.
Another option is flying directly to Johannesburg with Delta Air Lines (from Atlanta) or South African Airways (from New York or Washington). After an overnight stay, you can take a short 3.5-hour flight to Dar es Salaam.
From South America:
The quickest route from South America is with South African Airways, flying directly from São Paulo to Johannesburg and then connecting to Dar es Salaam. This journey takes about 15 hours. Other options include connections via Europe or the Middle East with airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, KLM, or Turkish Airlines.
From Asia:
Kenya Airways connects directly to Tanzania from Bangkok, Hanoi, and Mumbai, with onward flights to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, or Zanzibar. Alternatively, most travelers fly through Middle Eastern hubs with airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, or Qatar Airways.
From Australasia:
There are no direct flights to Tanzania from Australasia. The best option is with South African Airways, flying from Perth to Dar es Salaam via Johannesburg in about 20 hours. Alternatively, you can connect through the Middle East with Emirates, Etihad Airways, or Qatar Airways.
Charter flights between parks are typically arranged by safari consultants as part of the safari tour package. Additionally, we offer the option to book your safari package inclusive of domestic flights on a scheduled basis. Some of the airlines servicing Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro Airport include:
For comprehensive information on passport, visa, vaccination, and other entry requirements for Tanzania, please refer to our FAQ page dedicated to Tanzania.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
In our assessment, the Ngorongoro Crater is considered a highly secure destination. Incidents of crime within Tanzania’s parks and reserves are rare. While some cities may have instances of crime, exercising standard safety measures is advisable when visiting urban areas like Arusha town, which serves as the entry point to the Northern safari circuit. Although occurrences of crime involving visitors are exceedingly uncommon, we recommend reviewing the ‘Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ section below for further guidance.
It’s essential to take precautions against malaria when visiting the area. We recommend using a DEET-based mosquito repellent, as it is the most effective, and consider taking antimalarial medicine as a preventive measure. Additionally, covering exposed skin in the evening can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Before your travel, we advise consulting with a healthcare professional to discuss appropriate vaccinations for your trip.
Observing wildlife is a safe and rewarding experience as long as you follow the guidance of your tour guide and respect the regulations of the park. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ outlined below for added safety during your excursion.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
The Ngorongoro Crater stands as a premier hotspot for the Big Five in Tanzania, bustling with an abundance of wildlife. This unique ecosystem is particularly renowned for its extraordinary predator encounters. Home to the highest concentration of lions globally, the crater also boasts a frequent presence of spotted hyenas. Visitors should keep an eye out for smaller predators, including golden and black-backed jackals and the elusive bat-eared foxes, which add to the area’s rich tapestry of wildlife. Fortune may further reward you with sights of these smaller carnivores in action, hunting rodents or birds, offering a complete and dynamic safari experience.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a sanctuary for many of the safari circuit’s most iconic species. The black rhino, a highly sought-after sighting, takes center stage among the crater’s inhabitants. Large herds of buffalo roam the expansive grasslands, painting a classic African savanna scene. While elephant herds seldom venture into the crater, several solitary bulls with impressive tusks have adopted the crater floor as their domain, adding to the area’s allure. Outside the crater, giraffes roam freely across the broader conservation area, yet they remain absent from the crater floor itself, likely deterred by the steep encircling walls that present a formidable obstacle.
Observing wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater is a rewarding experience all year round, with the Dry season (June to October) offering the best conditions for spotting animals, thanks to the shorter grass. During the Wet season (November to May), the crater’s landscape transforms into a lush, vibrant spectacle, offering stunning scenic views. However, the taller grass during this period may make it more challenging to catch a glimpse of the crater’s smaller inhabitants. The months of March and April, in particular, see the highest levels of rainfall, further enhancing the verdant beauty of the environment but possibly hindering visibility of wildlife.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
450+
Nov to Apr
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
Plenty of sunshine graces the crater floor, while mist often envelops the rim, creating a cooler atmosphere necessitating warm attire for game drives.
June, July, August & September – Expect afternoon temperatures around 19°C/66°F on the crater floor with clear skies. Nights can be cold, possibly freezing on the crater rim.
October – Typically sunny, although early arrival of short rains may occur, possibly starting in late October.
During the Wet season, daytime temperatures rise compared to the Dry season, yet mornings remain brisk. Afternoons typically reach around 23°C/73°F on the crater floor, while nighttime temperatures hover around 6°C/43°F on the crater rim.
November & December – ‘Short rains’ – These brief showers, occurring mainly in the afternoons, are unlikely to disrupt your safari plans. Lasting approximately one month, they may fall anytime between November and December.
January & February – The interval between rains is unpredictable, but a period of dry weather often occurs.
March, April & May – ‘Long rains’ – Rainfall is common during this period, usually not persisting throughout the day. April and May may experience notably cold conditions due to cold fronts.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a key destination on the Northern Circuit safari, often visited en route to Serengeti National Park. Conveniently located just a 3-hour drive (180km/112mi) from the town of Arusha, the starting point for safaris in northern Tanzania, Ngorongoro is easily accessible via a well-maintained tarred road.
Travelers have various options for exploring the Northern circuit. They can hop between parks using small aircraft on chartered or scheduled flights departing from Arusha. Alternatively, they can embark on a safari vehicle journey, either covering the entire circuit or specific parts of it. A popular itinerary involves flying into Serengeti and returning by safari vehicle via Ngorongoro Crater, or vice versa. In most cases, the safari guide from Bush 2 City Adventure will meet visitors at the airport and handle all further arrangements.
For those traveling from the Seronera area in Serengeti, the journey to the crater spans about 140km/90mi and takes approximately 3 hours by road, although the duration can extend considerably due to wildlife sightings along the way. The drive from Lake Manyara National Park to the crater covers 80km/50mi and typically takes about 2 hours, while the route from Tarangire National Park spans 180km/110mi and requires approximately 4 hours.
The most convenient gateway to Arusha is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located approximately 50km/31mi away. Travelers can also opt to fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and then connect to Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).
We offer convenient flight booking services to Tanzania at great rates. Alternatively, you can arrange your flights. Either way, we’ll take care of your accommodations and itinerary.
There are two direct flight options from Europe to Tanzania. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operates daily flights from Amsterdam to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro, while Turkish Airlines offers daily flights from Istanbul to the same destinations. These are convenient choices for travelers seeking direct routes.
Alternatively, you can fly to Nairobi, the key air travel hub in East Africa, and connect to Tanzania with Kenya Airways, which provides daily flights to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. European airlines offering flights to Nairobi include British Airways from London Heathrow, Air France from Paris, Swiss Air from Zurich, Brussels Airlines from Brussels, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, and Kenya Airways from London Heathrow or Amsterdam. Many travelers favor Kenya Airways for its efficient overnight service from London to Nairobi, with a convenient connection to Dar es Salaam arriving around 9:00 AM.
Additional connection options for those flying directly into Dar es Salaam include Egypt Air via Cairo, Emirates via Dubai, Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi, Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, Oman Air via Muscat, and Qatar Airways via Doha. Several airlines also operate flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, providing flexibility for your Tanzanian safari adventure.
Getting to Tanzania: Simplified GuideÂ
Â
From North America:
There are no direct flights to Tanzania from North America. Travelers typically make one stop in Istanbul (via Turkish Airlines) or Amsterdam (via KLM). Turkish Airlines connects 13 North American cities to Tanzania through Istanbul, while KLM offers connections from many U.S. and Canadian cities via Amsterdam. For example, the journey from New York to Dar es Salaam with KLM takes about 21 hours, while flights from Los Angeles take only slightly longer.
Another option is flying directly to Johannesburg with Delta Air Lines (from Atlanta) or South African Airways (from New York or Washington). After an overnight stay, you can take a short 3.5-hour flight to Dar es Salaam.
From South America:
The quickest route from South America is with South African Airways, flying directly from São Paulo to Johannesburg and then connecting to Dar es Salaam. This journey takes about 15 hours. Other options include connections via Europe or the Middle East with airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, KLM, or Turkish Airlines.
From Asia:
Kenya Airways connects directly to Tanzania from Bangkok, Hanoi, and Mumbai, with onward flights to Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, or Zanzibar. Alternatively, most travelers fly through Middle Eastern hubs with airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, or Qatar Airways.
From Australasia:
There are no direct flights to Tanzania from Australasia. The best option is with South African Airways, flying from Perth to Dar es Salaam via Johannesburg in about 20 hours. Alternatively, you can connect through the Middle East with Emirates, Etihad Airways, or Qatar Airways.
Charter flights between parks are typically arranged by safari consultants as part of the safari tour package. Additionally, we offer the option to book your safari package inclusive of domestic flights on a scheduled basis. Some of the airlines servicing Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro Airport include:
For comprehensive information on passport, visa, vaccination, and other entry requirements for Tanzania, please refer to our FAQ page dedicated to Tanzania.
Maliwaza a renowned Safari Expert, has helped thousands of travelers experience the magic of Tanzania, including the iconic Great Migration in the Serengeti.
In our assessment, the Ngorongoro Crater is considered a highly secure destination. Incidents of crime within Tanzania’s parks and reserves are rare. While some cities may have instances of crime, exercising standard safety measures is advisable when visiting urban areas like Arusha town, which serves as the entry point to the Northern safari circuit. Although occurrences of crime involving visitors are exceedingly uncommon, we recommend reviewing the ‘Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ section below for further guidance.
It’s essential to take precautions against malaria when visiting the area. We recommend using a DEET-based mosquito repellent, as it is the most effective, and consider taking antimalarial medicine as a preventive measure. Additionally, covering exposed skin in the evening can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Before your travel, we advise consulting with a healthcare professional to discuss appropriate vaccinations for your trip.
Observing wildlife is a safe and rewarding experience as long as you follow the guidance of your tour guide and respect the regulations of the park. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ outlined below for added safety during your excursion.
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