Serengeti National Park Vs. Ngorongoro Crater

Serengeti National Park Vs. Ngorongoro Crater : The best unforgettable safari trips in Africa are available in Tanzania. If you want an exciting African wildlife safari, then Tanzania is your ultimate destination. In Tanzania, one gets to visit the world-famous wildlife safari destinations. Among the destinations include Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.

If you are looking for attractive African wildlife destinations, then include Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in your bucket list. The two thriving destinations lie within the breathtaking Serengeti Ecosystem, one of the oldest ecosystems in the world.

Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are among Africa’s Top Ten Natural Wonders. Serengeti is well-known for hosting the Great Migration and diverse wildlife. Ngorongoro Crater is famous as the largest unbroken caldera in the world.

 

Which is better, Serengeti National Park or Ngorongoro Crater?

Everybody wants to have the best safari experience at whatever destination one goes to. Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are excellent tourist destinations. You can combine Serengeti and Ngorongoro in your safari package. You may also choose one of them. Here are some facts about world-famous destinations:

 

Animals (Serengeti vs. Ngorongoro Crater)

Do you want to go on a memorable wildlife safari? Go to Serengeti or Ngorongoro Crater. Both Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater host a diverse population of wild animals. Let’s see some key differences between Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in wildlife diversity.

In Serengeti, you are touring around 3,000 lions. These carnivores have territories in the vast plains, kopjes, and woodlands. The Ngorongoro Crater, on the other hand, is home to about 60 lions. There are about 300 lion prides in Serengeti. In Ngorongoro Crater, the number of prides is 8. So, if you aim to see lions, the best place to go is Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti hosts the Great Migration, while Ngorongoro Crater doesn’t. Animals in Serengeti National Park, especially wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles, are migratory. They migrate annually from the south of Serengeti to the north to search for food and water. Contrary to Serengeti National Park, the animals in Ngorongoro Crater are less migratory. The caldera is a self-sufficient ecosystem where animals get all their basic needs met. For this reason, they are less migratory.

You will see giraffes in Serengeti National Park, not in Ngorongoro Crater. Why are there no giraffes in Ngorongoro Crater? Sit back; we have you covered. The Ngorongoro Crater comprises steep slopes, making it difficult for these tall, gentle animals to exist. Giraffes are present in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, not in the Ngorongoro Crater.

 Activities (Serengeti vs. Ngorongoro Crater)

Big Five Safaris

Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are home to all the Big Five animals: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and black rhino. The Ngorongoro Crater is better for seeing black rhinos than Serengeti National Park. Ngorongoro Crater is small, around 8,300 square kilometers. Serengeti National Park is 14,760 square kilometers. Therefore, you can see all the Big Five in a small area.

In Serengeti, you will roam the vast plains looking for the Big Five. When driving in the Serengeti, you can occasionally see the black rhino. Moru Kopjes is always a good place for rhino sightings. This area is under the protection of rangers.

 

Trekking the Great Migration

The wildebeest migration is one of the fantastic tours you may enjoy in the Serengeti. You can be part of this never-ending mammal migration. In the northern part, there are crossings of the Mara River. The wildebeest migration does not pass through the Ngorongoro Crater. Therefore, you won’t see migrating herds of wildebeests in the caldera.

Cost

Price is another factor to consider before visiting Serengeti or Ngorongoro. Prices differ depending on the safari you are taking. The Ngorongoro Crater is perfect for day trips since it is small, while Serengeti National Park is not. You need 2 to 3 days to discover the wonders of Serengeti. Therefore, depending on the number of days, a safari to Serengeti is always more expensive than one to Ngorongoro. 

Landscape

Serengeti has vast plains, kopjes, rolling hills, and woodlands, while downsides, craters, and forests prevail in the Ngorongoro Crater. 

The best way to get there

Serengeti harbors several airstrips, such as Seronera, Ndutu, Grumeti, and Kogatende. It is, therefore, accessible by air from Arusha, Dar es Salaam, and other places. Ngorongoro Crater, on the other hand, is very accessible from Arusha. You can drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, then to Serengeti National Park. 

Accommodations (Serengeti vs. Ngorongoro)

Serengeti has a lot of accommodations, including mobile camps, lodges, and tented camps. Mobile camps migrate seasonally, following the wildebeest. Therefore, you have many options for where to stay in the Serengeti. There are no accommodations inside the Ngorongoro Crater. If you want to stay close to the crater, you can stay in lodges in Karatu or on the rim. Therefore, if you want an authentic safari where you can stay within the bush, Serengeti beats Ngorongoro Crater.

Deciding which is better between Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater is very hard. At Focus East Africa Safaris, we think you should visit both. However, if you have a few days to spend in Tanzania, you can choose one. We organize safari tours to any of the two wildlife destinations. Join us for a thrilling adventure.