What is the Distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater
The distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater is approximately 191 kilometers. The Ngorongoro Crater is accessible via both road and air transport, with daily and scheduled flights available from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport. Kilimanjaro International Airport serves as the hub for various aircraft from other countries, facilitating access to Tanzania’s natural magnificence. All tourists arrive at this airport before being greeted and transported by various travel agencies to their accommodations in Arusha or Moshi, depending on their subsequent itinerary. Guests commencing their Tanzania safaris with Mt. Kilimanjaro will spend their first night in Moshi, but those engaging directly with the Tourist Northern Circuit will spend their first night in Arusha.
The Ngorongoro Crater is situated in the northern region of the tourist city of Arusha, accessible via a well-paved route that traverses coffee farms and indigenous Maasai villages. The paved road concludes at the primary entrance of the Ngorongoro Crater. The journey from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater traverses the periphery of Lake Manyara National Park, situated at the base of the Great Rift Valley. Proceed to Mto-wa-Mbu, the second largest town following Karatu in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The trek traverses the summit of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, allowing for a stop at the Lake Manyara aerial viewpoint.
The journey from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater commences at the center of Arusha or Moshi town, when guests are collected to initiate their picturesque drive to the Crater zone. The distance may fluctuate based on the kind of transportation employed, whether it be road transit or air travel.
Road transport is the most picturesque means of reaching the Ngorongoro Crater Heritage Site. The drive transports travelers across the scenic Maasai Steppe, adorned with charming African villages. The Conservation Area contains extensive plantations of coffee, maize, and woodlands. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours from Arusha and 5 to 6 hours from Moshi.
The journey from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater can be diminished or abbreviated by taking a flight to the airfield adjacent to the crater rim, near Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. The airfield is located 1.8 miles, or approximately 3 kilometers, from the Ngorongoro Crater headquarters. This is ideal for those seeking to explore the airborne perspective of Africa’s seven natural marvels. It also reduces driving time compared to utilizing the road, as traffic is congested at the speed limit. Numerous domestic airlines, including Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Coastal Air, Regional Airstrip, and Flight Link, operate daily flights from various airstrips within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Other notable airstrips are situated in the northern Ngorongoro Crater within the Ndutu region, such as Lake Ndutu Airstrip. Guests may choose between scheduled flights or chartered flights.
Alternatively, one can decrease the distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater by taking a flight to Seronera Airstrip and subsequently transferring to the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. This option is preferable for travelers seeking to explore the premier heritage sites, namely the vast expanses of Serengeti National Park and the Northern Ngorongoro Crater.
Essential information regarding the distance from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater
The distance is 261 kilometers, which equates to 5 hours and 30 minutes from Arusha town to the northern Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, specifically Ndutu. Ndutu is the sole location within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area where the calving season of the wildebeest migration occurs.
The distance from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater is 180 kilometers by road.
The distance from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge is 213 kilometers.