Ngorongoro Crater

Why

Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s largest caldera, is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site and protected wilderness. It is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the famous Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo), making a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater essential for any safari experience in Tanzania.

Ngorongoro offers an exceptional year-round game viewing experience. Renowned for its abundant wildlife, the game drives are thrilling and provide incredible opportunities for photographers. Experiences in the Ngorongoro Crater include Big Five game drives on the crater floor, bird watching, cultural interactions with the Maasai tribe, and visits to Olduvai Gorge.

Several lodges are nestled along the crater's edge, offering phenomenal views, stunning sunsets, and convenient access to the crater floor. A short distance from the crater, Karatu offers fewer crowds, smaller and more intimate lodges, and additional activities such as walking and mountain biking.

When

Since Ngorongoro’s wildlife remains within the steep-walled crater year-round, planning your visit around maximizing game viewing opportunities isn’t crucial. However, it’s important to consider the tourist season, as the crater floor can become crowded at certain times.

Tourist activity peaks during the dry season, which runs from June to September. This period is considered the best for game viewing, as the sparse vegetation allows for better visibility around rivers and waterholes. Be sure to bring warm clothing for the chilly mornings during this season.

Tourist numbers decrease during the rainy season, from October to May, when the landscape becomes lush and green. The higher water levels in Ngorongoro Crater’s Lake Magadi attract more birdlife, including the famous flamingos. Rainfall typically occurs as brief afternoon showers, except for the heavier rains from March to May. If you wish to experience the unique calving season, plan your trip between December and February

Where

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Tanzania, continues to be a remarkable wilderness regions. The pristine expanse includes short-grass plains on the southern border of the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Highlands, featuring dramatic ancient volcanoes on the western edge of the Great Rift Valley.

The star attraction remains the Ngorongoro Crater, the Africa's largest inactive, intact volcanic caldera. The crater is home to the ‘Big Five’ as well as cheetah, serval cat, jackal, hyena, Grant's and Thompson's gazelle, and over 400 species of bird.

In addition to the rich wildlife, the crater features several natural sites, including Lake Magadi; the Lerai Forest; and the picturesque Ngoitokitok Spring, a haven for hippos, elephants, and lions.

Must-see attractions within the greater Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area include the smaller Empakaai Crater, known for large flocks of flamingos, and the spectacular Olduvai Gorge. This steep-sided ravine is one of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites with a museum that showcases replicas of the hominid and fossil discovered there.