Affordability is a relative thing when it comes to Ngorongoro and the other parks along the northern Tanzania safari circuit. All the parks are serviced by mid-range lodges but these tend to charge rack rates that would be considered upmarket in most other contexts. With Ngorongoro specifically, a good way to keep things affordable is to stay in or around Karatu – although it is less atmospheric than sleeping on the crater rim. Rooms in terms of quality are probably 50% cheaper outside the conservation area, and there are even a few genuine mid-range options that offer simple but comfortable accommodation at wallet-friendly rates. Accommodation and meals aside, most costs associated with an Ngorongoro or northern Tanzania safari (for instance, fuel, driver and conservation fees) are pretty much the same irrespective of whether it is labelled a budget, mid-range or upmarket safari, but the ‘per person’ cost of a safari will decrease significantly if these are split between a group of four or five like-minded friends or family rather than a solo traveller or couple.