Ngorongoro Crater is one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. It’s a magical setting, and abundant wildlife never fails to enthrall visitors. Ngorongoro is set in northern Tanzania and is often called ‘Africa’s Eden’ or the ‘8th wonder of the natural world’.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world; formed by a collapsed volcano called a caldera. It is 2,286 m above sea level therefore, can get cold in the evenings. Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610 meters from the crater floor; this natural amphitheater measures approximately 19.2 km in diameter and 250 sq km in area.
Supported by a year round supply of water and food, the crater is one of the richest wildlife viewing experiences on the African continent. The region covers 829,200 hectares and is home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Including its impressive population of predators, such as lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs, and the elusive leopard. Key wildlife: lion, rhino, hippo, wildebeest, zebra, wild dog, leopard, cheetah, crocodile, and flamingo.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Lake Ndutu and Masek are both alkaline soda lakes. They are home to rich game populations. As well as a series of peaks and volcanoes and make the Conservation Area a unique and beautiful landscape.
A UNESCO World Heritage site; the crater lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; which covers more than 8,300 sq km. No fences or boundaries border the crater walls. Animals are free to enter or leave the crater, but many of them stay. For the plentiful water and grazing available on the crater floor throughout the year.
The most numerous and recent inhabitants of the Ngorongoro Area are the Maasai, who arrived about 200 years ago. Their strong insistence on traditional customs and costumes interests many visitors. Maasai villages give visitors the chance to meet the people on their own terms and to learn more about this complex and interesting culture.
The stunning but lesser known Empakaai Crater lies some 40km northeast of Ngorongoro Crater. It offers stunning views of steep forested slopes and thousands of pink flamingos that line the shores of the soda lake on the crater floor.
Another dramatic reminder of the volcanic activity that shaped the Crater Highlands is Olmoti. Home to an abundant variety of exquisite flora and fauna.
Ngorongoro Crater/Conservation Area Activities
Spend the day exploring the vast 300 km2 crater floor with the opportunity to spot the Big 5 and the many roaming predators.
Safaris at Ngorongoro Crater/Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to up to 30 000 animals. Almost half being wildebeest and zebra. Besides these common sightings on the crater floor include buffalo, elephant, hippo, hyena, jackal, lion, ostrich, serval, warthog, bushbuck, eland, hartebeest, reedbuck, waterbuck, and huge herds of both Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle.
Ngorongoro Crater safari
Thanks to anti-poaching patrols; Ngorongoro Crater is now one of the few places in East Africa where visitors can be certain of seeing black rhinos. The rhinos emerge from the forests in the mists of early morning. Their prehistoric figures make a striking impression; surrounded by the ancient crater walls.
Large herds of giraffes live on the rim of the crater. Open grassland covers most of the crater floor, turning yellow with wildflowers in June and July.
Countless flamingos form a pink blanket over the soda lakes. More than 100 species of birds that are not found in the Serengeti National Park; can be found here.
Also on the crater floor are swamps providing water and habitat for elephants and hippos as well as; numerous smaller creatures such as frogs, snakes, and serval cats.
Game viewing around the crater lake is especially rewarding; large antelope like zebra and gazelle come to drink. Herds of hippos sun themselves in the thick lake shore mud. While predators hide in the marsh to ambush animals that come to drink.
Elephants often graze in the Lerai Forest shade on the crater floor during the midday heat. They emerge into the open plains during the early hours of the morning and in the evening. The small forest patches on the crater floor are home to leopards, monkeys, baboons, and antelope; such as waterbuck and bushbuck.
Maasai Cultural Experiences
Visit a local community to gain a rich understanding of the culture that defines this corner of East Africa. As well as learning about daily life and hearing personal narratives, guests are often asked to take part in home chores. For example, guests visiting in the late afternoon may be asked to help with the evening milking, watch the preparation of dinner, or play games with children.
Nature Walks
Enjoy gentle walks on the crater rim or in the area surrounding your camp. This is a great opportunity for birders, and to learn more about the flora and fauna.
Olduvai Gorge
Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area; is the archaeological site of Olduvai Gorge, also known as the Cradle of Mankind. It is a great stop-off between the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater for clients interested in ancient history.
in 1959, Dr. Louis Leakey and his wife Mary discovered the skull of the first Zinjanthropus Boisei. Or “nutcracker man”. And then, a year later, the remains of Homo Hablis. Or “handyman”; were at that time regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution. Many more fossils have since been discovered. The site has a small museum and an observation platform, overlooking the gorge. Where visitors can listen to an informative talk and chat with a resident expert about the current research.
It takes about 4 hours to drive from Arusha to Olduvai Gorge.
Hiking
Empakaai Crater: Start the hike with splendid views of the Empakaai Crater as well as a glimpse of Oldoinyo Lengai. Then descend into the crater through the thick, mountainous forest. The lake on the crater floor offers superb birding and the chance to see the famous flamingos. The hike takes approximately 4 hours, including time by the lake. Depending on where you are staying, this may be a full day activity including the drive to/from Empakaai.
Olmoti: The Olmoti crater climb follows an ancient Maasai cattle trail up a gentle ascent through mountain forest, grassland, and rocky outcrops. At the summit, there are fantastic views of the crater. The hike takes approximately 2 hours round trip.
Getting to Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania
The closest airstrip is Lake Manyara, which is well serviced with daily flights from most other airstrips in northern Tanzania. The drive from the airstrip to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area entrance gate takes approximately 1 hour. It is 180km west of Arusha. About a three-hour drive, or a one-hour flight, from Arusha. Or, a two-hour drive from Tarangire.
Best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater
You may visit this area any time of the year. Each season has its own special highlights with spectacular safaris all year! For lots of action from predators, the best time to visit is between January and March. This is when the wildlife gives birth. The busiest time at Ngorongoro Crater is January and February, June until October, and then again in December.
Migratory birds are best seen in March and April or September and October. April and May are the best time to see flamingos on the lake. If you are lucky you can sometimes see Mount Kilimanjaro from Ngorongoro in October.
The Empakai Crater hike is best between June and October.
Accommodation is located on its ridges and after a beautiful descent down the crater rim, passing lush rainforest and thick vegetation; the flora opens to grassy plains throughout the crater floor. The game viewing is truly incredible. And the topography and views of the surrounding Crater Highlands are out of this world.
