Reviews of safaris to Ngorongoro Crater
304 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Ngorongoro Crater.
"Expert Africa"
Have never had a even slightest problem with any of their bookings. There use of Asilia facilities and guides in Tanzania was the best to be had.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Avoid KQ if possible. The crater experience was only OK. Time would be better spent somewhere else at this time of the year. Perhaps the Mara." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
"General comments"
Kevin, our guide and driver for the first 6 days was excellent in his knowledge of the country, the parks and the wild creatures and expert in bird identification. Overall, he was well organized, courteous and looked after us well. He was attentive to our requests in relation to photography opportunities and positioning of the vehicle. On occasion he seemed to get a bit "fed up" with our requests to stop and our asking for information on, for e.g., the names of birds. We also detected at times he was catering to his own interests and was bored with what we wanted to do and see. We did ask him if he was "bored" with our agenda but he denied this. On a couple of occasions he returned us to camp sooner than we needed to be.
The washrooms in the Crater itself were in a terribly filthy state. With this much traffic and money going into the area surely some more resources can be put aside for better ongoing cleaning/maintenance of the toilets.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None. Enjoyed working with Claire (again!). Very efficient." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari
"Our first Safari"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
ironically your marketing materials do not live up to the product which is far superior. You run a solid operation and have good people (Claire was very helpful as well), but your site is very antiquated and your print collateral is uninspiring.
My comments are not that of a typical consumer mind you. I am in the business, so I do look at sales tools with a critical eye and there is a disconnect between the quality of your service and how you promote it. Thankfully your product is better. The other part is far easier to remedy." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
"A wonderful safari to northern Tanzania"
The driver/guides were excellent and made sure that we were always informed of the days travel plans in advance. Nothing was too much trouble with plenty of time for viewing and taking photos etc. We saw every animal you could of wished to have seen in each area and have hundreds of photos to prove it. Camps were excellent and had to be seen to be believed.
All in all a most memorable experience never to be forgotten.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only to advise you that Swala Camp is all inclusive. Laundry, drinks and toiletries are included." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
"A successful trip"
We went to Tanzania to see the wildebeest crossing and to see game. We certainly achieved this and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
We had not intended such a long beach stay and would still have preferred an extended safari to the time spent on Mnemba - however we did benefit from a special offer on our stay there.
We really appreciated the fact that we had sole use of a vehicle and guide on all trips apart from the visit to Ngorongoro crater. It enabled us to see more of what we wished, spend all day game viewing if we wished and all the guides were good.
We enjoyed the & Beyond experience and the luxury they provided but would not rush to back to either place - Ngorongoro because the game viewing is necessarily limited and very crowded with other visitors, although the accomodation is wonderful. We felt Mnemba was overpriced because we were not participating in the free diving (which is obviously one of the main assets) and no other replacement such as spa treatments (which were expensive though good) were offered. We enjoyed the snorkelling but not the rough car trip or the mosquito problem.
Both Oliver's and Sayari camps were very good. We liked the accomodation in both. We were sad that, because more camps have been built, our experience in Northern Serengeti was so busy with other vehicles, whereas it is a definite plus from this point of view that Oliver's camp is in the south of the park.
The transfers were managed well on the whole (barring the 2 transfers mentioned) with no difficulty finding our onward journey
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The ratings choice on your form did create difficulty in that there was nothing between Good and Excellent.
Also it does not allow for distinguishing between rating for different flights with the same company" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
"Trip to Tanzania by Mr & Mrs G from London"
Very well organised, very happy to travel with Expert Africa in the future." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
"An extraordinary experience!"
I know I speak for my wife Audrey, and Ann and Kevin when I send you a very warm and enthusiastic “thank you” for turning our many phone conversations back in December into such an extraordinary experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Clearer guidelines on how much cash one needs to bring to cover tips and drinks (such as Lake Manze, where drinks were not included and credit cards not accepted) would have been a great help. We had only one opportunity to use an ATM (which worked for us but not for our friends), which was quite lucky in terms of the timing when we'd run out of cash, and the location, being the one day we were driving through Karatu where there is an ATM. Not having enough cash, and not being sure of where or when we could get some, caused a fair amount of anxiety and stress that would have been eliminated if we'd simply brought enough to begin with.
We also didn't realize that everyone accepted U.S. dollars even for cash tips, so could have bypassed all the trouble trying to get Tanzanian shillings in the right amounts." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
"parks and zanzibar"
"Amazing experience"
We had a personal driver and guide for our week on safari which is to be highly recommended although pricey. The vehicle and facilities were very good, Alfred our guide is the best. His english is superb, driving very good, knowledge and experience extensive, ability to locate animals amazing and he has a great sense of humour.
In comparison to other African countries we've visited the facilities for tourists are well organised. We didn't need a bush toilet once in the whole trip! This does mean that in the popular destinations especially the Ngorongoro Crater there were far to many tourists for our liking but in hindsight we wouln't change anything as you really do need to see it to experience it!
My only plea to other travellers is to be sensitive to the local people and cultute. We were incredibly disappointed at some of the things we saw, cigarette butts being dropped in the parks, scimpy clothing in Stone Town and during Ramaden too and generally poor attitides!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be more specific about flight details (Coastal airways) if possible" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
"Tanzania"
Quotation and booking was simple and the menber of staff I dealt with was pleasant and appeared knowledgeable. Stepen our guide in Tanzania was very pleasant, knowledgeable and a good driver. We would happy use Expert Africa again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
One thing we would have changed, with hindsight, is to spend two nights at a lodge somewhere between Ngorongoro Crater and Lobo Wildlife Lodge (reducing the time at Lobo). This would have let us explore other areas." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
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Inspire meWhere 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
