Self drive Ngorongoro- car hire with rooftop tent

Ngorongoro conservation area is formerly part of the greater Serengeti national park and one of the most popular protected area in Tanzania. Was established in 1959 and it is one of the protected areas with the highest population of wildlife and a home to all the big five of Africa. The resident population of wildebeest, lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, and birds is so impressive. Its fame comes from its unique landscape that includes the biggest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater is the home to several wildlife and birds that lives within it all year round. The peak season of Ngorongoro conservation area is between June and September and that is the peak time of the wildebeest migration when they will be crossing the mara river crossing

You need a good reliable 4×4 car to descend and ascend Ngorongoro crater which is the climax of Ngorongoro conservation area, and you also need to be skilled at driving it, as the park’s roads are rutted and rough. Remember that you can’t expect a speedy, city-style assist if you breakdown inside Ngorongoro. It’s therefore very important to travel in a well-serviced off-road vehicle that’s up to the rigours of the terrain.

Is Ngorongoro conservation area you dream destination?

Still wondering whether to rent a car in Tanzania for a self-drive or go on a guided safari? Whatever your decision might be, what is important to know is that Ngorongoro conservation area is undoubtedly a vast protected area and requires a comfortable rental car for you to navigate through it on self-drive safari. This requires you to plan for it in advance. In this article, we bring to you a complete guide to self-drive safari in the Ngorongoro conservation area, Tanzania.

There are several considerations you must put forward to have a successful self-drive trip to Ngorongoro conservation area especially if you have decided to hire a safari car.

Areas of interest on guide to self-drive in the Serengeti National Park

• Is it possible or safe to explore the Ngorongoro conservation area on a self-drive tour?
• How do I plan for the Ngorongoro crater permit for my self-drive tour in Tanzania?
• When should I visit Ngorongoro crater for a greater wildlife view?
• How many gates that access Ngorongoro conservation area?
• Where to stay in the Ngorongoro conservation area on self-drive tour?
• Can I book a special campsite on self-drive in the Ngorongoro conservation area?
• How to get to Ngorongoro conservation area?

Is it possible or safe to explore the Ngorongoro conservation area on a self-drive tour?

Yes,

it is possible and safe to explore the Ngorongoro conservation area on self-drive tour. The Ngorongoro conservation area is one of Tanzania’s outstanding safari destinations known for its gigantic wildlife experience. But it is an amazing safari park that rewards travel energies especially if well-prepared in advance. The best way to explore Ngorongoro is by embarking on a comfortable 4×4 Land Cruiser rental car. This can let you navigate through this vast conservancy area known for its breathtaking landscape.

The Ngorongoro conservation area makes up part of the across-border Eco-system that also coves the Serengeti national park, the Masai Mara in Kenya and several tiny game reserves. If you are from Arusha, Ngorongoro conservation area is reachable from Arusha through Lodoare gate which is about 160 kilometres from arusha. The drive to Ladoare is about 3 and half hour drive

While Ngorongoro conservation area, you will explore the Ngorongoro crater which is the biggest unbroken caldera in the world. You will also have an opportunity to visit Olduvai gorge where the first human remains where discovered. Basing on you time of travel, you can also have a chance to witness the newborn wildebeest during the calving season between December and March.

From Ladoare gate to the Ngorongoro crater is about an hour drive with a distance of about 15 kilometres. From Ladoare gate to Olduvai gorge is about 57 kilometres with estimated driving time of about 1 and half hour. Whereas the distance from Ladoare gate to Ndutu area is about 106 kilometres with estimated driving time of 2 and half hours.

How do I plan for the Ngorongoro crater permit for my self-drive tour in Tanzania?

Permits for all Ngorongoro conservation area run by Ngorongoro conservation area authority (NCAA) are paid through your tour operator in Tanzania. No need for prior bookings as you can once you arrive in Tanzania. You will secure an entrance quote first prior accessing the gate to pay for the park entrance fee.

When should I visit Ngorongoro crater for a greater wildlife view?

The Ngorongoro conservation is a year-round destination as the animal in the park are resident animals. However, for those interested in the wildebeest calving at Ndutu area, you will need to know that this activity is seasonal, and it takes place between December and march. Therefore, you need to plan accordingly.

That does not mean that all the time of the year offer the same experience. The best time to be in Ngorongoro is between June and September which is the dry season. Descending the crater during the rainy season can sometimes be challenging which might even result into accidents making driving during dry season safer and more enjoyable and you can also have a chance to join the crater with the climax of wildebeest migration of Serengeti national park.

How many gates that access Ngorongoro conservation area?

Ngorongoro conservation area has got 2 main entry gates in Lodoare gate and Naabi hill gate. Beside those 2 main gates, the park also has many other entry gate points that you can use to access the park.

Lodoare gate

This is the main entry gate of Ngorongoro conservation area and that is where you can access the park from Arusha which is the tourism capital of Tanzania. This is the easiest wat to access the crater when you are coming from Arusha.

Naabi hill gate.

This entry point join Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro conservation area. Its is a good entry point to the Ngorongoro for those coming from Serengeti national park or those continuing with their trip to Serengeti from Serengeti.

Where to stay in the Ngorongoro conservation area on self-drive tour?

Depending on the nature of the safari you are doing during your visit in Ngorongoro, a variety of accommodation option are offered. For those doing a camping safari, the conservancy offer a public campsite inside Ngorongoro. Simba public campsite is the public campsite in NCA and is available at 50 dollars per night and you will also have to pay the concession fees of 70 dollars per night. You can also book a private campsite outside the park. For the places like Ndutu where there is no public campsite, you will need to book a special campsite which must be booked in advance.

For the people heading out for the lodging safari, Karatu town which is the gateway town to Ngorongoro crater will offer you various accommodation option from the budget options to the luxury option. You will surely find where to stay.

Can I book a special campsite on self-drive in the Ngorongoro conservation area?

Though not a popular option as most special campsites are prebooked by the tour companies in Tanzania during the peak season in area like Ndutu. You can find less popular special campsite available that you can book through NCAA portal. However, you are highly likely to get the campsites that are situated in place where there almost nothing to see. Therefore, for you to get a classic special campsite, you should try to book through a registered tour operator as they know where best to camp during the safari.

How to get to Ngorongoro conservation area?

Ngorongoro conservation area be accessed either by road or by air and these are the different way you can access the park

By road:

For those planning a road trip starting from Arusha city, the drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro crater is about 4-hour drive which is about 160 kilometres. You need to plan an exciting drive where you will see various beautiful landscape and greenery along the route

By air.

Ngorongoro conservation area is surrounded by 3 airstrips where you can land and start your safari from you can land at Ngorongoro airstrip, manyara airstrip or Ndutu airstrip for those looking for a flying safari. Book your flight either from Arusha airport or from Dar es salaam as you plan to start your adventure through Ngorongoro