Reviews of safaris to Ngorongoro Crater
296 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Ngorongoro Crater.
"My Dec 2013 trip"
We saw lots of game and our guides were superb, very safety conscious but determined to give us an excellent safari experience which they succeeded in doing. Their knowledge of the game was brilliant and they were very informative.
In retrospect travelling with a 23 and 25 year old we might have been better going to Zanzibar instead of Mafia, we found Mafia very undeveloped and therefore relaxing , they found it a bit quiet with some of the other activities expensive.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No you did a brilliant job." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
"December Tanzanian trip 2013"
Zanzibar was great and we really loved Pongwe Beach Hotel. It's a beautiful place with a great bar, restaurant and sitting area. It was very relaxing and we enjoyed walking to a local restaurant for lunch one day. Only negative thing was being in the garden rooms, rather than the sea facing, as they were much better rooms with more breeze. We left one night early so that we could go to Stone town and had a great night there at Emerson Spice. We very much enjoyed Stone Town.
Beho Beho and the Selous were fantastic. Our room had a magnificent view and it was very luxurious. The whole lodge emphasises the luxury and it is very comfortable with great food. Unfortunately, we were the only ones there for the majority of our stay, so it felt a bit empty. However, the managers, guides and staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable and did their utmost to make us feel at home. We saw a lot of game and did some walking, although it was extremely hot while we were there so could not walk as much as I would have liked.
Once again, Expert Africa organised a brilliant trip for us and everything went extremely smoothly. Only one issue was with Echo Tours in Zanzibar who failed to pick us up on time on two occasions. In their defence, we had changed the times, but had given them plenty of notice." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
"Christmas 2013 to New Year 2014"
Did see leopard in two areas, cheetah, serval and lots of lion. Wildebeest migration as far as the eye could see was amazing. A great trip not too far distances between the different camps and areas.
Pole Pole was lovely just wished we could have taken longer here." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
"Well worth the expense"
You recommended fantastic places and we saw unforgettable game thanks to our highly skillful guide Ayoub. It was really his efforts that elevated this trip from dry good to special." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
"My Oct 2013 trip"
All our ground arrangements were perfect. The two guides they supplied were very good and knowledgeable. The six days we spent with Gabrielle were fantastic - he was happy to allow us to spend hours just observing animal behaviour & took great trouble to explain & identify various animals & plants.
Both guides were keen to make sure that Richard was put into the best available spot as he is a very keen photographer. Two picnics stand our in particular - one with David in Ngorongoro were we had our lunch in a spectacular location away from the other tourists! and with Gabrielle we had a brilliant 'breakfast with hippos' experience!
It was lovely to have a break at Arusha on the way to the airport, it was much appreciated to be able to have a shower, repack for the flight & have a rest before travelling home overnight. Although Onsea House is lovely we felt the staff somewhat lacked the charm & care that we had experienced elsewhere.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa - an extremely professional organisation." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
"Altogether the trip of a lifetime"
Everything from start to finish worked according to plan so many thanks to Expert Africa, and everyone thereafter who gave us a wonderful and memorable experience. We may not be in a position to repeat such a holiday but would recommend it to friends, family and anyone who asks.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Wish we could but everything worked so well!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
"Birthday trip"
The &Beyond lodges and staff were outstanding, Rovos rail a touch of 1930's luxury and Cape Town a great city break.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
You may want to update at your yellow fever guidance in the literature you send out. US medics we spoke to during the trip had looked into it and found that Tanzania no longer had any yellow fever risk. Since they needed some sort of certificate, they had an exemption certificate. The side effects of the YF vaccination made Lawrence ill for about a week, necessitating time off work and in retrospect, with a little more information, we may have decided not to have this vaccination.
I know that Tanzania still require tourists to be vaccinated but the wheels of government move slowly and you are in a position to move somewhat faster and provide a fuller picture." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
"Excellent - a really Outstanding Holiday"
Tip Top Trip. and Two Thousand Photographs!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
"Wonderful Safari"
When we arrived in Tanzania, the drive from Kilimanjaro to our first village walk was about four hours, which was far too long after a night flight. It might have been better to fly to Arusha rather than Kilimanjaro.
It was just a short drive to Zanzibar airport where were it was the worst part of the holiday. The porters were only interested in grabbing your money. A major, major problem at the end of the holiday was to find that there was a departure tax of £80 to pay! We were not advised of this and had not budgeted for it at all. It was fortunate we had the money put by for our taxi fare from Heathrow to home which we used. That interfered with paying the taxi drive once we got home. Surely Expert Africa must know about this tax but there was no mention of it in any of the information we were given. It really spoilt the end of the holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
"My Aug 2013 trip"
Where to stay in Ngorongoro Crater
Our suggestions for safari camps in Ngorongoro Crater
Plantation Lodge
A relaxed base between Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara, Plantation Lodge has lush grounds and offers good value and high standards.
Gibbs Farm
Located not far from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Gibb's Farm has comfy rooms, homegrown food and strong community links
Lemala Ngorongoro
Lemala Ngorongoro is a small, comfortable tented camp on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater with lovely walking in the vicinity.
Entamanu Ngorongoro
Opened in 2016, Entamanu Ngorongoro is a small camp high on the Crater rim with views towards the crater and the plains of the Serengeti.
Crater Lodge
The ultra-luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is perched in a spectacular location on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Highlands
The Highlands is a unique camp near Olmoti Crater, north of Ngorongoro, offering drives, walks and cultural visits from a beautiful remote setting.
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Situated on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, with outstanding views, the Sopa Lodge is a somewhat dated, international-style hotel.
Rhino Lodge
Rhino Lodge is a simple, good-value lodge with a great location near the crater rim, in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Farmhouse Lodge
Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge is set on a 750-acres working farm. Close to the NCA gate, it makes a great base for exploring the Crater.
Rhotia Valley Ttd. Lodge
Rhotia Valley is a simple lodge with a strong commitment to the local community, including a children's home, which guests may visit.
Ngorongoro Serena
The large, hotel-like Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge sits on the western rim of Ngorongoro Crater and has stunning views of the caldera.
Bougainvillea Lodge
Bougainvillea Safari Lodge provides an economical base from which to visit Lake Manyara or the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Manor
The Manor is a smart, family-friendly Cape-Dutch-style lodge, offering high-quality service and food in very comfortable surroundings.
Neptune Ngorongoro
Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is a smart hilltop lodge with log-style cottages set close to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Wildlife Lodge
Stay at the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge while on road safari in Northern Tanzania's spectacular Ngorongoro Crater area.
Crater's Edge
Craters Edge is an intimate luxury property on the north-eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
A small tented camp, located on the eastern side of the Ngorongoro Crater rim, with a five minute drive to crater descent gate.
Lion's Paw
Located on the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, this camp has stunning panoramic views down onto the crater floor. A five minute drive to the nearest descent gate allows for early access into the crater, maximising on avoiding the large crowds
Ngorongoro Fly-Camp
Explore the remote northern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater on a two-day hike and spend the night in this small fly-camp.
Country Lodge
Country Lodge is conveniently located on the edge of Karatu and provides a comfortable base for exploring Ngorongoro Crater or Lake Manyara.
