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It cost me 5000 Tanzanian shillings to go from Ngorongoro to Arusha. Ben, the safari driver, drove me from the camp ground to the bus stop, which consisted of a small clearing surrounded by 3 shops, and bunch of people waiting for the bus. My co-passengers included Tanzanians dressed in western attire (trousers and shirts), maasai tribal men wearing their traditional shawls, and some live poultry packed in boxes with holes in them to allow the air to flow in. Some of the maasai were also dressed in western attire. The markings on their faces and the holes in their earlobes are dead giveaways. The crater is so wide and the rim is so broad that there are dirt roads that go along the rim. Buses and Land Rovers drive on that road, offering a spectacular view of the crater and the mountain side.
After about one hour of bumpy driving, I saw the gates of the park. The road from the gate to Arusha was tarred, well paved and smooth. I slept all the way to Arusha.
Written Apr 30, 2007
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The only way you'll get around the crater is in a four-wheel drive vehicle, in fact, expect for specially designated picnic areas, you aren't even allowed out of the vehicle. The roads are bumpy, especially on the descent and ascent roads, so it is fortunate that you are unlikely to be driving yourself. Even better, the drivers will have a much better idea of good wildlife-watching areas. Sometimes everyone seems to arrive in the same spot at the same time to stare at something exciting, like a leopard, but other times you'll be entirely on your own, especially if you make clear to your driver that you're interested in - for example - close-up birdlife as much as a rhino that's so far away you need an astronomical telescope!
Updated Sep 10, 2005
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Kumuka organised our safari vehicles for us with Roy Safari's Ltd in Ngorongoro Crater. Our guide was fantastic, getting us into poll position for some excellent game viewing, he was also very informative and friendly. You can also book direct with them... see the website below. The crater is very steep and you need a good vehicle to get you around... So one of these 4x4 companies is a must.
Written Jan 4, 2005
Website: http://www.roysafaris.com/
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Because of the steep and rough roads that descend into the crater, only 4X4 vehicles are allowed access into the crater. There are seperate roads for ascent and descent, both very steep with danger of mudslides in the rainy season.
It was wet and slushy when we visited because of some rain the previous night and our driver had to carefully negotiate some really precipitous turns as we descended into the crater.
Written Feb 29, 2004
While in Kenya the common safari vehicles are the Combi vans, in Tanzania those are 4x4 vehicles like Toyota Landcruisers or Landrover Defender. Both made especially for safari needs. We used Toyota Landcruiser with an open roof where we could base the TV camera for filming the animals.In this photo we film the elephant.
Written Jan 10, 2004
We used Ebony tours for our 4/5 hour game drive. The price was included in our truck price so i dont know how much it is. They use small vehicles with roofs that come off for good viewing. Lunch is included.
Written Feb 14, 2003
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If you're a Baboon short on change, you'd have no problem finding transporation around the crater!!
Written Jul 8, 2005
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Reviews and photos of Ngorongoro attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Ngorongoro sightseeing.
If you're a Baboon short on change, you'd have no problem finding transporation around the crater!!
Q: Hi! I'm travelling in Sept./Oct. to Tanzania with husband, 5 year old and 8 year old and am curious as to drive times between...
A: You will have a great time in Tanzania, thats for sure. I was there 2002. (see tips on my pages). As for the driving time you need, I cannot give you the time, because...
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Ngorongoro crater is a volcanic crater. It's the largest unflooded and unbroken caldera in the world. It's about 20kms across, 600 metres deep and 300 sq kms in area. The Crater is supports over...
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Ngorongoro Crater - Eighth Wonder of the World?!!
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) covers some 8,300 square kilometers in northern Tanzania. It boasts of the finest blend of landscapes, wildlife, people and archaeological sites in Africa. It is...
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Ngorongoro Crater - oh, oh, oh!
The main gate. Here, your tour guide will have to process some papers. If you need to go to the loo, they are clean, go ahead. Inside, you will find a shop which sells some postcards - good ones at...
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This was my favourite of the three safari locations we visited in Tanzania. It had everything going for it – a fantastic luxury lodge in a spectacular setting, plenty of wildlife to photograph and...
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Not a crater, but a caldera. This means: the ground of this area broke in due to vulcanic activity. It is the 6th biggest Caldera in the world. The rim lies on 2280-2440 m.ü.m. (meters over sea...
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