People often ask me what my favourite safari has been.

It's a difficult question because every destination offers something different.

But if I had to choose just one...

I'd go back to the Ngorongoro Crater tomorrow.

First Impressions

Nothing really prepares you for your first view of the crater.

You drive through forests and climb steadily higher before suddenly reaching the rim.

More than 600 metres below sits one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on the planet. A vast volcanic crater stretching as far as you can see, filled with grasslands, lakes, forests and thousands upon thousands of animals.

The scale of it is jaw-dropping and the excitement of knowing what lies in wait is breathtaking.

Standing on the rim, looking down into what is essentially a lost world, all I could think was:

"This is going to be a great day."

What Makes the Ngorongoro Crater So Special?

Unlike many safari destinations where wildlife moves across huge areas, the Ngorongoro Crater feels like its own self-contained world.

Millions of years ago, a giant volcano collapsed in on itself, creating a natural bowl that now supports an incredible concentration of wildlife.

The result is one of the best places in Africa to see the Big Five in a single day.

Within a few hours, we had already seen lions, elephants, buffalo, zebra, hippos, hyenas and countless antelope.

You might notice one member of the Big Five missing from that list.

Yes, I know I’ve left rhinos off the list. But in our spotter’s defence, there are only about 35 rhinos spread across roughly 100 square miles of crater floor. And they’re shy – quite rightly given the obscene level of poaching over the years.

A Typical Day in the Crater

Every safari day is slightly different, but this is roughly how mine unfolded.

Early Morning

You can't stay on the crater floor itself, so the lodges sit around the rim.

That means an early alarm, a quick coffee, and then straight into the safari vehicle as dawn begins to break.

There’s often a bit of mist adding to the surreal atmosphere, as we descend down the bumpy dirt track into the crater.

Then suddenly, out of the mist, appears a herd of elephants, with the cutest youngsters you'll ever see in tow. We're off!

Mid-Morning Game Drive

What I love about the crater is the variety of scenery. There are lakes, forests, rivers and open plains, with stunted trees offering patches of shade PLUS lush greenery hiding what we came to see.

Fortunately, the expert spotters love a challenge...

Lunch Stop

Lunch is taken by the lake, together with many of the other safari vehicles.

Beware the birds! It’s not their first time, but it is for most tourists.

One piece of advice… Protect your sandwiches.

Quite a few went hungry that day. The birds certainly didn't.

Afternoon Safari

One afternoon produced the most incredible wildlife encounter I've ever witnessed (see My Favourite Moment below).

Heading Back Up to the Rim

Unlike most safaris (which are a morning/evening game drive, with lots of chilling/lodge time in-between), this is a full day out, non-stop game viewing, stunning scenery, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater

Of course, no safari ever comes with guarantees. That's part of what makes it so exciting. But I've rarely been anywhere with wildlife quite this consistent. The density of animals is extraordinary.

You'll often see several different species at the same time, all sharing the same landscape.

It's almost impossible to know where to look next.

We were also lucky enough to see lions mating. Now I don’t mean to cast aspersions, but it all seemed a bit, well, functional?

The lioness lay there looking rather sphinx-like and disinterested, and the lion wandered over, climbed on, finished embarrassingly quickly, and wandered off again. And then five minutes later it was rinse and repeat. Endlessly! Whatever works I guess...

My Favourite Moment

My favourite moment took place one afternoon during our safari and honestly, Attenborough would have loved it, I could almost imagine his slightly breathless commentary...

A herd of zebras were feeding by the lake. A pride of lionesses appeared, had a bit of a conflab, and made a plan. A couple went down each of the flanks, while the others laid hidden in wait, in the only place where the zebra could flee.

One was just 20 yards from our truck. We were in prime position.

I didn’t see the signal, but at the same time all the lionesses on the flanks charged, not trying to catch the zebra, but to panic them and drive them towards the ones lying in wait. It worked perfectly.

A mother and calf were running directly towards our waiting predator. As we held our breath, the lioness timed her pounce perfectly, lunging at the zebra’s neck, right in front of us... and missed...

Two seconds of half-hearted chase and she gave up, rolled over and had a good wash. Sometimes big cats are just... cats!

Overall? What an epic day. One of the best ever.

It Never Felt Crowded

Given how famous the crater is, I expected it to feel busy. Surprisingly, it didn't.

Yes, you'll occasionally share sightings with other vehicles, but the crater is enormous and there's plenty of space to spread out.

What I remember most is the scale. You constantly feel tiny inside this vast natural amphitheatre.

One of the best things about the crater is how all the guides work together. As often as not, they know where the lions are – but if everyone turned up at once, the lions wouldn’t care but it would ruin it for us.

Nothing spoils a good photo like 10 Land Rovers in the background. So they coordinate, everyone takes their turn, so the animals are never crowded, and the photo opportunities are unspoiled.  

Why It Stayed With Me

I've been lucky enough to visit around 80 countries across seven continents.

I've seen grizzly bears in Alaska, penguins in Antarctica and lemurs in Madagascar.

Yet whenever somebody asks me about safari, my mind always goes back to the Ngorongoro Crater.

For me, it's still the best safari in Tanzania—and possibly anywhere in Africa.

It felt like Africa at its absolute best – everything you could possibly want to see, crammed into one unforgettable day. Safari perfection!

Is It Right for Your First Safari?

Absolutely.

If somebody had never been on safari before and asked me where I'd recommend, the Ngorongoro Crater would be very high on the list.

It's easy to understand why it's considered one of Africa's greatest wildlife destinations.

If you're comparing safari destinations, my Complete Beginner's Guide to Going on Safari explains the differences between South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia and can help you decide which country is right for you.

Planning a Safari to Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Crater is usually visited as part of Tanzania's famous Northern Circuit Safari, alongside the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara.

Together, they create one of the finest safari itineraries anywhere in Africa.

For a complete overview of African safari destinations, luxury lodges and itinerary ideas, take a look at my Complete Luxury Safari Guide.

My Advice

People often ask me which safari destination they should choose.

The honest answer is that there isn't one perfect safari.

South Africa might suit one person. Botswana another. Kenya someone else.

But if you asked me which single day on safari has stayed with me more than any other... It would be the day I drove down into the Ngorongoro Crater. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Stop thinking about it. Live the dream. Start planning…

Get in touch to start planning your first African Safari today!

Where Next?

If you're still researching, these guides are a great next step:

• Complete Luxury African Safari Guide — everything you need to plan the perfect safari.
• How Much Does an African Safari Cost? — realistic budgets, what's included and how to get the best value.
• Best Time to Go on Safari – month-by-month advice.

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