Distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro crater
The distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater, a protected area in Tanzania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is notable. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area encompasses the Ngorongoro Crater, the primary feature of the area, which is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, measuring 2,000 feet in depth and covering 260 square kilometers.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an exceptional site for safaris in Tanzania, encompassing 8,292 square kilometers and housing millions of wildlife species, along with over 500 documented bird species. The crater is inhabited by large tusked elephants, rhinoceroses, zebras, gazelles, African wild dogs, servals, caracals, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and numerous more species. Birds include ostriches, kori bustards, crowned cranes, secretary birds, and Jackson’s widowbirds, among others.
Arusha city is a prominent tourist destination in northeastern Tanzania, located in the Arusha region beneath Mount Meru, along the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley. Recognized as the safari capital of Tanzania, Arusha is in proximity to numerous national parks, particularly those within the northern safari circuit, including Arusha National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park.
The majority of Tanzania safaris commence at Arusha, including those to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is situated around 191 kilometers west of Arusha city. Travelers utilize both road and plane transportation to access Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha.
By road:
The Arusha Highway is utilized to access the Ngorongoro Crater by vehicle. A 4X4 vehicle is recommended for road haulage.
By Air:
Air transport, encompassing both domestic and international flights, is utilized to access Ngorongoro Crater, as detailed further below.
Closet airports to Ngorongoro crater
Kilimanjaro International Airport
Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as the primary safari access point for most Tanzanian safaris and is situated in the northern area of Tanzania, specifically in Hai District, Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro International Airport accommodates both international and regional flights in Tanzania, mostly serving Arusha and Moshi. The majority of foreign flights at this airport cater to tourists visiting several national parks, Zanzibar, and Lake Victoria.
The distance from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Ngorongoro Crater is roughly 230 kilometers, requiring an estimated driving time of about 5 hours.
Arusha airport
Arusha Airport is the nearest airport to Ngorongoro Crater, located in Arusha City, a significant tourism center in Tanzania, from which most safaris to the northern safari circuit commence. Arusha Airport is a domestic facility managing flights to various national parks in Tanzania, including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The Ngorongoro Crater is located around 170 kilometers from Arusha Airport, requiring an estimated driving time of three hours.
Airstrips serving the Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is accessible by several airstrips, including Lake Ndutu airstrip and Manyara airstrip.
Ndutu Lake airstrip
The Lake Ndutu airport is situated in the southern region of Lake Ndutu, in close proximity to the Ndutu ranger post within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Manyara Airstrip
Manyara airstrip is an additional airfield serving the Ngorongoro Crater situated within the conservation area.
Getting to Ngorongoro crater from other national parks
The Ngorongoro Crater is a very accessible safari site in Tanzania, easily reachable from other notable locations such as the Maasai Mara, Serengeti National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park, among others. The accessibility of Ngorongoro Crater renders it a highly convenient destination.
From the Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a premier safari location in Kenya, easily combinable with a safari to the Ngorongoro Crater, which is around a 5 to 6-hour drive from the reserve. The journey from Maasai Mara National Reserve to Ngorongoro Crater via the captivating Serengeti National Park.
From Serengeti National Park
Serengeti National Park is a Tanzanian safari destination located in the northern safari circuit, adjacent to the Ngorongoro Crater. The proximity of these two protected areas is a primary reason why most safaris to Ngorongoro Crater are combined with visits to Serengeti National Park. The drive from Serengeti National Park to Ngorongoro Crater takes approximately one and a half hours.
From Amboseli national park
Amboseli National Park is a picturesque Tanzanian national park renowned for its backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain in Africa, and its substantial herds of free-ranging elephants. The journey from Amboseli National Park to Ngorongoro Crater takes approximately 6 to 7 hours by car.
From Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park, the sixth largest national park in Tanzania, is situated in the Manyara region. The distance from the national park to Ngorongoro is roughly 180 kilometers, requiring an estimated driving time of six hours.
From Lake Manyara national park
Lake Manyara National Park is a national park in Tanzania, located in the Manyara region along the northern safari circuit. This park is relatively small and is renowned for the remarkable Lake Manyara, from which it derives its name. The drive from Lake Manyara National Park to Ngorongoro Crater takes approximately 1.5 hours.
