~Big Five - Game Tracker~

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On Day 5 you will take an early morning flight to the amazing Ngorongoro National Park. Our representative will pick you up for transfer to the airport. Sit back and relax during  this short flight from Amboseli National Park to Ngorongoro National Park. Approximate flight duration is about 2 hrs and 15 minutes. Your accommodations will be at the Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (or similar).

Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1) Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2) Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for more information.

Flight to Ngorongoro

The flight from Amboseli National Park in Kenya to Ngorongoro National Park in northern Tanzania is one of East Africa’s most scenic routes, typically taking about 2 to 2.5 hours (including a brief stop in Arusha for customs and refueling).

Departing from Amboseli’s airstrip, the journey begins with stunning aerial views of Mount Kilimanjaro, its snow-capped peak towering above the clouds and the elephant-dotted plains below. As the aircraft crosses the border into Tanzania, the scenery shifts from the open savannahs of Amboseli to the rolling landscapes of the Arusha region, dotted with Maasai villages, farmlands, and volcanic hills.

Continuing westward, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley, the shimmering expanse of Lake Manyara, and the highlands surrounding Ngorongoro. The final descent circles over the Ngorongoro Crater, revealing a patchwork of forests, grasslands, and shimmering soda lakes teeming with wildlife — a dramatic preview of the wonders waiting below.

Ngorongoro National Park

Cradled within the ancient embrace of a vast volcanic caldera, Ngorongoro National Park is one of Africa’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders — a living Eden teeming with life. Often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a safari experience unlike any other, where breathtaking scenery and extraordinary wildlife converge in perfect harmony.

From the rim of the crater, sweeping views reveal a mosaic of forests, grasslands, and shimmering soda lakes below. As you descend into the crater floor, the scene unfolds like a natural amphitheater — elephants wandering beneath ancient fig trees, lions stalking through tall golden grass, zebras and wildebeest grazing in their thousands, and the rare black rhino moving gracefully through the morning mist.

Beyond the crater, Ngorongoro’s highlands offer rich cultural encounters with the Maasai people, scenic hikes to hidden waterfalls, and panoramic vistas that stretch all the way to the Serengeti. Whether exploring on a game drive, standing at the crater’s edge, or watching the sunset ignite the landscape in fiery hues, Ngorongoro National Park is a place where the wild spirit of Africa feels timeless, raw, and profoundly alive.

Morning Tours

Morning game drives in Ngorongoro National Park begin with the soft light of dawn spilling over the crater rim, casting a golden hue across the mist-filled caldera below. Here’s what you’re likely to encounter:

• Elephants and buffalo emerging from the forests to graze on the crater floor’s lush grasslands.
   
• Lions and hyenas lingering near recent kills, while leopards retreat quietly into the trees after a night’s hunt.
   
• Herds of zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles grazing together in the open plains.
   
• Black rhinos roaming the crater floor — one of the best places in Tanzania to spot this rare species.
   
• Hippos wallowing in the pools and flamingos feeding in the shallow soda lake at the crater’s center.
   
• The air filled with the calls of crowned cranes, ibis, and eagles circling above the cliffs.

Here are some of the most popular morning activities in and around Ngorongoro National Park, perfect for starting the day amid the cool air and misty crater views:

• Early morning game drive — The best time to spot predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards before they retreat from the rising sun, as well as grazing herds bathed in golden light.
   
• Crater rim nature walk — Explore the forests and grasslands along the rim with a ranger, where you can enjoy sweeping views, spot birdlife, and learn about the area’s unique ecology.
   
• Sunrise photography session — Capture breathtaking views of the Ngorongoro Crater as the mist lifts and sunlight spills across the caldera, revealing wildlife and distant volcanic peaks.
   
• Visit to a Maasai village — Experience Maasai culture in the calm of morning, learning about traditional herding practices and community life before the day’s heat.
   
• Birdwatching around the crater rim and highlands — The early hours bring out vibrant species like crowned cranes, sunbirds, and eagles gliding over the cliffs.
   
• Bush breakfast or lodge terrace breakfast — Enjoy a hearty meal overlooking the crater or surrounding highlands as the wilderness comes to life around you.

Afternoon Tours

Afternoon game drives in Ngorongoro National Park reveal a calmer, more atmospheric side of the crater as the sun softens and long shadows stretch across the plains. Here’s what you’re likely to encounter:

• Elephants and buffalo making their way to the crater’s swamps and pools to cool off.
   
• Lions resting in the shade, occasionally rising as the air cools and evening approaches.
   
• Hippos emerging from the water to graze along the lush banks.
   
• Herds of zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles moving lazily across the crater floor.
   
• The chance to spot elusive black rhinos grazing in the distance or retreating toward the forest edge.
   
• Birdlife thriving in the golden light — flamingos wading in the lake, raptors soaring above the cliffs, and storks and herons fishing in the shallows.

Here are some excellent afternoon activities to enjoy at or near Ngorongoro National Park (in the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area):

• Take a nature walk on the crater rim, with a park ranger leading you through forests and grasslands for panoramic views of the crater floor and surrounding highlands.
   
• Visit a Maasai village nearby to learn about traditional customs, music, bead-work and local life as the day cools down.
   
• Go bird-watching around the crater’s wetlands, soda lakes and marshes—late afternoon is a great time for raptors and waterbirds.
   
• Enjoy a scenic sundowner stop, driving to elevated viewpoints at dusk to sip a drink as the day fades and the wildlife shifts.
   
• Participate in a guided walk around a working farm or lodge estate within the Conservation Area—ideal for spotting smaller wildlife, plants and birds in a more relaxed pace.

Where you’ll be staying

• Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge (or similar)
• Suite Tent

Your guide will pick you up in the morning where you will travel to the nearby airstrip for your return to Nairobi. This  short domestic flight departs from Masai Mara and arrives at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Approximate flight duration is 45 minutes.

Please note, strict luggage restrictions apply to this flight: 1)  Maximum weight allowance of 32 lbs (15 kg) is permitted per person. 2)  Baggage must be soft-shelled. 3) Additional baggage allowance can be  arranged at additional cost, please speak to your Destination Expert for  more information.

When you arrive in Nairobi, you will have the opportunity to explore the local markets and shops so you can interact with the local vendors in search for the  perfect handicraft or souvenir for yourself or your loved ones. Your guide will let you know what time you will need to be prepared to depart for the airport. Traffic can get tricky so it is recommended to be prepared to arrive at the airport early!

When you are ready to depart your hotel for the airport, a private transfer between your hotel and the airport is provided. Your guide will help you navigate the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to ensure that you have stress free and timely departure. Remember to take plenty of pictures and share them with us!