Day 3
Ngorongoro Crater Rim
Staying at Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp
Today is a very early wake up in order to travel down the Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy a couple of hours of game viewing before the crowds arrive. The Ngorongoro Crater has many nicknames — Africa's "eighth wonder of the world" and "Africa's Eden," to name a few. But even without these lofty nicknames, the crater is a stunning a sight. Formed 2.5 million years ago after an extinct volcano collapsed on itself, the caldera is largest of its kind in the world. You will have the best chance to view the Big Five, and we have included a very special warm lunch on the Crater floor for you today. Depending on the time of year, you may see huge flocks of pink flamingo around the shores of the shallow Lake Magadi, while the surrounding swamp is inhabited by hippo. Safari vehicles are closed, with glass windows and a pop-up roof. Off-road driving is not permitted.
The crater has formed its own ecosystem due to its enclosed nature and is one place where you can certainly tick all the boxes. Sublime scenery, abundant wildlife, its very own distinctive Lerai Forest comprised of yellow fever trees, and Lake Magadi, a shallow soda lake. Roam to the east and you will find Gorigor Swamp and the Ngoitokitok Springs where happy pods of hippo can be found. The north of the Crater is where the bulk of the resident game resides thanks to the drier, open grasslands. If you are after The Big Five, it is all here waiting for you - black rhino, tusker elephants, lion, leopard, and buffalo along with healthy herds of wildebeest, hyena, and zebra. Other wildlife includes serval cat, jackal, Grant's and Thomson's gazelle, flamingo, and bat-eared foxes, as well as approximately 400 species of colourful birds.
Includes & Excludes
Meals: Dinner included
Drinks: Local brands included
Activities: Included
Transport: Included