Summary: What Are the Key Facts at a Glance?
- Route: Arusha → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha
- Duration: 1 day (a long day of about 14 to 15 hours)
- Price: From US$ 300 per adult (Option E1)
- Best time: June to October, and January to February
What Makes This Ngorongoro Crater day trip Special?
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania's most famous wildlife areas, and it is possible to visit it in a single long day from Arusha. This day trip leaves before dawn, drives about four hours to the crater rim and descends onto the crater floor for a game drive among lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras and wildebeest. A picnic lunch is served by the hippo pool, and you return to Arusha in the evening. It suits travelers with limited time who accept a long day. A 2-day trip with a night in Karatu is more relaxed.
What Does the Safari Itinerary Include?
1Day Detailed Trip Itinerary
What Is the Safari Route at a Glance?
Day-by-day route overview at a glance.
Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater game drive & return to Arusha
Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater Game Drive and Return
Your guide collects you from your Arusha hotel at about 5:00 AM for the 4 to 5 hour drive to the Ngorongoro crater rim, with a short refreshment stop. Descend onto the crater floor and spend the morning on a game drive among lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras and wildebeest. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the hippo pool, climb out in the early afternoon and drive back, reaching Arusha around 7:00 PM. This is a long day.
Price Options
Per adult for safari with Land Cruiser. Option E1(Entry) is selected by default — choose another option to update your price.
What Is Included and Excluded in This Safari?
Below is a clear breakdown of what is included and excluded in your Tanzania safari package. This helps you understand exactly what to expect before your journey.
What’s Included in Your Safari
What’s Not Included
Why Book This Safari with Macpace Tours?
- See the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater without an overnight stay.
- A game drive on the crater floor with a picnic lunch.
- Some of the best wildlife density in Tanzania.
- A scenic drive through the Great Rift Valley highlands.
- Good for travelers with only one day available.
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide.
- 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for clear views and photos.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Arusha.
- Easy to upgrade to a 2-day trip with a night in Karatu.
- Private departures can be arranged on request.
What Should You Know Before This Safari?
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| rusha to Ngorongoro Crater rim | Approximately 190 km | About 4 hour drive |
| Crater descent to the crater floor | Approximately 8 -10 km | About 30 minutes |
| Ngorongoro Crater rim to Arusha | Approximately 190 km | About 4 hours drive |
| Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha | Approximately 190 km | About 4 to 5 hours drive |
| Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha | Approximately 50 km | About 1 hour drive |
| Arusha Airport to Arusha City | Approximately 8 km | About 15 minutes drive |
Which Wildlife Can You See on This Safari?
This Tanzania safari combines wildlife-rich landscapes with remarkable concentrations of animals. During your game drives, you may encounter elephants, lions, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos and many other species in their natural habitats.
Elephants
Known for magnificent herds moving through woodland, grazing near open areas or gathering around rivers.
Lions
Lions can be encountered resting under acacia shade, moving through grasslands or stalking potential prey.
African Buffaloes
Large buffalo herds seen in grasslands and swamps, powerful members of the Big Five.
Giraffes
Commonly browsing high acacia trees and moving gracefully across savannah landscapes.
Zebras
Frequently seen grazing in open plains together with wildebeest and antelopes.
Wildebeest
Iconic savannah herbivores roaming open landscapes in large social groups.
Hippos
Plentiful in lakes, rivers and natural pools across Northern Tanzania.
Antelopes & Gazelles
Gazelles, impalas, waterbucks, and dik-diks feeding across diverse safari habitats.
Look Out for Predators
Depending on season, location and animal movements, you may also encounter leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas with your experienced safari guide.
Ready to Discover Tanzania's Wildlife?
Explore top safari destinations on a carefully planned journey with Macpace Tours.
Plan This SafariWhere Will You Stay During This Safari?
This is a day trip, so no safari accommodation is included or needed. You return to your own hotel in the evening. If you want to arrive early or stay on, we can book a pre- or post-trip night in Arusha from the hotel rates above.
What Are the Key Safari Details?
Everything you need to know about this 1 Day Tanzania Day Trip — pricing, booking, what to pack, transfers, flights and the places you will visit.
Safari Price Guide & What Affects the Cost
This 1 Day Tanzania Day Trip starts from US$300 per adult with the default option (Option E1(Entry)). The final price depends on the option you choose, group size and travel season.
| Option | Accommodation | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Option E1(Entry) | Option: shared / joining group | From US$300 / adult |
| Option M1(Midrange) | Option: private vehicle | From US$600 / adult |
| Option L1(Luxury) | Option: private vehicle, upgraded service | From US$800 / adult |
Includes park fees, licensed guide, 4x4 vehicle, fuel, meals, accommodation and airport transfers. International flights, visas, insurance, tips and personal items are excluded.
Booking, Payment & Cancellation
How to book: send your travel dates and group size through the booking form or WhatsApp. We confirm availability within 24 hours.
- Deposit: 30% of the safari cost confirms your booking.
- Balance: payable on arrival in Arusha before departure.
- Payment methods: bank transfer, credit card and cash in USD.
- Cancellation: free up to 14 days before departure, 50% charged 7–13 days before, and 100% within 7 days.
What to Pack for Your Safari
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive or beige), light long sleeves and trousers.
- A fleece or warm jacket for cool early mornings in the highlands.
- Comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Binoculars, a camera with zoom lens, spare batteries and memory cards.
- Insect repellent, a refillable water bottle, personal medication and travel insurance documents.
- Passport and a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from an endemic country.
Health, Safety & Responsible Travel
- Drink only bottled or filtered water; lodges provide safe drinking water.
- Take malaria prophylaxis as advised by your doctor.
- All game drives are led by licensed TANAPA guides who keep a safe distance from wildlife.
- Tanzania bans single-use plastic bags; carry a reusable bag.
- Respect local cultures — ask before photographing people and dress modestly in villages.
- 24-hour emergency contact: Macpace Tours on +255 755 355 071.
Transfers Details
This tour starts from Arusha. Kilimanjaro Airport is the nearest international airport and Arusha Airport is the nearest domestic airport.
Arusha Airport: No extra charge Kilimanjaro Airport: USD 30 per vehicle
Arusha Airport ↔ Hotel: USD 25 per vehicle Kilimanjaro Airport ↔ Arusha: USD 50 per vehicle
Moshi ↔ Arusha: USD 100 per vehicle Nairobi ↔ Arusha: USD 275 per vehicle
Flights Details
We do not book international flights. We assist with local flights based on availability.
Zanzibar ↔ Arusha: From USD 100 (Morning flight) Dar es Salaam ↔ Arusha: From USD 90 (Morning flight) Arusha ↔ Zanzibar: From USD 170 (Afternoon flight) Arusha ↔ Dar es Salaam: From USD 110 (Afternoon flight)
Which Places Will You Visit on This Safari?
Arusha City Tanzania's Safari Capital
Most northern Tanzania safaris begin in Arusha, near Mount Meru. It is the gateway to Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and the Serengeti.
Travelers who arrive a day early can rest here, repack their luggage and meet the safari team before the trip begins.
View on Google MapsGreat Rift Valley and Lake Manyara Viewpoint A Scenic Drive
On the way to the crater, the road passes Mto wa Mbu and climbs the wall of the Great Rift Valley. The viewpoints over Lake Manyara and the valley floor are among the best on the northern circuit.
Your guide may stop briefly for photos if time allows.
View on Google MapsNgorongoro Crater A Natural Wildlife Sanctuary
Ngorongoro Crater formed millions of years ago when a large volcano collapsed, leaving a huge caldera with walls about 600 meters high. The floor holds grassland, forest, swamp and the soda lake called Lake Magadi.
Because many animals live inside the crater year-round, it offers one of Africa's best chances to see a lot of wildlife in a short time. The crater is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
View on Google MapsWhat Accommodation, Add-ons and Meals Are Available?
Pre- and post-safari hotels, optional add-on tours and meal arrangements for this 1 Day Tanzania Day Trip.
Pre & Post Tour Hotels (Pricing in Arusha)
Arusha is the base for safari tours in Tanzania. If you need accommodation in Arusha before/after your safari tour you can check some popular hotel prices on bed and breakfast basis below.
- Crest Safari Lodge - USD 47
- Kutoka Lodge - USD 64
- Karama Lodge - USD 113
- The African Tulip - USD 149
- Four Points by Sheraton - USD 205
- Arusha Coffee Lodge - USD 375
- Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- Kutoka Lodge - USD 49
- Karama Lodge - USD 76
- The African Tulip - USD 112
- Four Points by Sheraton - USD 120
- Arusha Coffee Lodge - USD 240
- Crest Safari Lodge - USD 29
- Kutoka Lodge - USD 40
- Karama Lodge - USD 73
- The African Tulip - USD 93
- Arusha Coffee Lodge - USD 180
Add-on Tours in Ngorongoro
- Masai Village Tour: USD 25 per person
- Olduvai Gorge museum visit: USD 35 per person
- Ngorongoro Crater Rim Hike: USD 35 per person
Meals
- Day 1 - Lunch
What Are the Most Asked Questions About This Safari?
Find answers to common questions about departure, accommodation, wildlife, meals, transportation and booking.
Yes, but it is a long day. You drive about four hours each way from Arusha and spend the middle of the day on the crater floor. Many travelers enjoy it, and it is a good option when time is short. A 2-day trip with a night in Karatu is more relaxed and gives you an earlier crater start.
The day trip starts and ends at your Arusha hotel. We collect you at about 5:00 AM and drop you back in the same place. Moshi pickups can be arranged on request and may cost more. Tell us your hotel when you book so we can confirm the exact pickup time.
The drive is about 190 km and takes roughly 4 to 5 hours each way, plus the descent into the crater. That means a very early start and a return in the evening. The road is mostly paved, and you pass through the Great Rift Valley, so the journey itself is scenic.
A day trip costs less and needs no overnight stay, but the drive takes up much of the day. A 2-day trip lets you sleep near the crater, start fresh at dawn and enjoy more relaxed drives. If you can spare a night, we usually recommend the 2-day option.
You may see lions, elephants, buffaloes, hippos, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, gazelles and many birds. Flamingos gather on Lake Magadi in some seasons. Black rhinos live in the crater but are few and often far away, and leopards are rarely seen. Your guide will use local knowledge to find the best sightings.
Visitors are allowed a limited time on the crater floor, usually about six hours. On a day trip, the long drive means you will usually have less time than that, perhaps four to five hours. Rules can change, so please ask us to confirm the current limit and your expected time when you book.
June to October is dry and clear, with the best conditions for game drives, and January and February are also good. March to May brings long rains, greener scenery, fewer visitors and some muddy tracks. The crater holds wildlife all year, so the trip runs in any month.
Yes. A picnic lunch is included, and you receive about 2 liters of bottled drinking water per person during the trip. Breakfast is not included, so please eat at your hotel before pickup. Alcohol and other extra drinks are not included. Tell us about vegetarian, vegan or allergy needs when you book so we can prepare a suitable lunch.
It can be, but the day is very long, with about eight to ten hours in the vehicle in total. Very young children may find it tiring. Bring games, snacks and books, and tell us the ages of your children when booking. We may suggest the 2-day option for families.
Yes. Private departures can be arranged for couples, families, friends and small groups. A private trip gives you more flexibility with the pickup time, pace and photo stops, and the vehicle is for your party only. Because vehicle and guide costs are shared among fewer people, the price per person may be higher than on a shared trip.
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Plan your Tanzania safari with Macpace Tours and experience iconic wildlife destinations.
Book This SafariWhere Does This Safari Go?
Follow the full safari route from Arusha, Tanzania through 2 destinations.
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