Explore the Ngorongoro Crater

Overview

Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s most breathtaking natural wonders. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard). The crater is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), which spans over 8,292 square kilometers and serves as a key ecological and cultural zone, inhabited by the semi-nomadic Maasai people.

Key Facts About Ngorongoro Crater

• Location: Northern Tanzania, within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

• Size: 260 square kilometers (100 square miles)

• Depth: Approximately 600 meters (1,968 feet)

• Formation: Created about 2 to 3 million years ago after a massive volcanic eruption

• Wildlife: Home to over 25,000 large animals, including rare black rhinos

• Best Time to Visit: June to October (dry season for the best wildlife viewing), but it’s accessible year-round

Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater has one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa, making it an excellent safari destination.

Animals You Can See:

• Lions: One of the densest populations in Africa

• Elephants: Some of the largest tuskers in Tanzania

• Black Rhinos: One of the few places to see them in the wild

• Buffaloes & Wildebeests: Large herds roam the crater floor

• Zebras & Gazelles: Found in great numbers

• Leopards & Cheetahs: Occasionally spotted in the Lerai Forest and open plains

• Hippos: Found in lakes and swampy areas

• Flamingos: Seen around Lake Magadi, a soda lake inside the crater

Things to Do in Ngorongoro Crater

1. Game Drives

• Duration: Half-day or full-day safaris

• Best Time: Early morning for predator activity

• Highlights: Big Five sightings, stunning landscapes, birdwatching

2. Visit a Maasai Village

• Experience Maasai culture by visiting a traditional boma (homestead)

• Learn about their way of life, rituals, and cattle herding

3. Birdwatching

• Over 500 bird species, including flamingos, ostriches, and secretary birds

4. Visit Empakaai Crater (Less Crowded Alternative)

• A smaller crater with a lake, accessible by a scenic hike

• Great for birdwatching and views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano

5. Olduvai Gorge Excursion (For History Lovers)

• A significant archaeological site where fossils of early humans were found

Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater

How to Get to Ngorongoro Crater

• By Road: 3-4 hours’ drive from Arusha

• By Air: Flights to Manyara or Serengeti airstrips, followed by a short drive

Accommodation Options

• Luxury Lodges: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, The Highlands

• Mid-Range: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Rhino Lodge

• Budget Camping: Simba Campsite

Park Fees (As of 2024)

• Conservation Area Entry Fee: $70 per adult (Non-resident)

• Vehicle Entry Fee: Varies by vehicle type

• Crater Entry Fee: $295 per vehicle