A natural wonder of the world, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater was declared a World Heritage Site in 1978, and in its protection of diversity it has been likened to the Noah’s Ark. It is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and covers an area of 260 sq km.

Three million years ago, the Ngorongoro Crater was an active volcano but its cone collapsed and formed a caldera. Actually, the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken caldera in the world, with a diameter of 20 km and a rim rising from 400m to 610m above the crater floor. Although a geological feature formed by the withdrawal of a molten is correctly called a caldera, many people traditionally used the term crater, and consequently Ngorongoro Caldera is described as Ngorongoro Crater in all records available.

Views from the rim are sensational, but the major attraction of the Crater is the wildlife; over 30 thousand animals live in this »natural Zoo«; every five meters you can spot an animal! With the exception of Impala and Topi (due to fierce competition with the Wildebeest) and the Giraffe (because there is not much to eat at tree level), almost every species of African plains mammal live in the Crater, including the endangered Black Rhinoceros, and the densest population of predators in Africa. It is a place, where you can see »the Big Five«: Elephant, Buffalo , Rhinoceros, Lion and Leopard. With over 100 species recorded here the bird life is impressive, particularly the seasonal arrival of Flamingos in Lake Magadi. Local Maasai tribe is permitted to lead their cattle within the Crater to water; hence Maasai cattle can sometimes be seen grazing in the middle of the wildlife.

Within the Crater there are four major habitats: open grasslands across most of the Crater floor provides food for thousands of grazers; soda Lake Magadi houses thousands of Flamingos and other water birds; the swamps accommodate the larger animals such as Hippos; and Lerai forest patches on the crater floor, consisting mainly of Acacia trees, are home to the Vervet Monkeys, Baboons, Leopards, Waterbucks, Elands, Elephant and the few remaining Black Rhinoceros. As with the people the animals are able to leave the Crater, and larger herds of grazing animals often do so in search of grazing and water in drought periods.

Entering the Crater it is allowed only with a four wheel drive vehicle! It is possible to have lunch at the picnic-area near the crater floor; but be careful with your food because at times vultures can snatch the food out of your hands.

Activities
Game viewing and Bird-watching, as walking in the Crater is prohibited. Outside the Crater: Walking safaris/Trekking in the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands, archeological findings at Olduvai Gorge, Cultural Tourism (Maasai).

Have a look at our Safari Tours!
And for more photos, take a look at our Photo Gallery!

When to go
All year round. Because of its higher altitude, the temperatures at the Ngorongoro Crater are generally lower than most of the other Parks, especially during the nights.

Accommodation
Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area there are five up-market lodges, a public and a number of special campsites. Additional campsites and guesthouses are available in Karatu town. For photographs and more information about the Lodges, have a look at our Safari Accommodation section.

Getting there
A drive from Arusha (5h), Lake Manyara or Tarangire (2h) or a flight from Arusha (1h).

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