Ngorongoro Crater

Discover the iconic Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater in Northern Tanzania, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the world. Some maintain that before it erupted, it would have been higher than Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.

Today, long since having collapsed and eroded, it is an extensive highland area with the famous 600 m deep Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point. Nearly three million years old, the ancient caldera shelters one of the most beautiful wildlife havens on earth

The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtakingly beautiful setting and the best place in East Africa to see the Big Five.  It is a great way to start your African safari adventure. However, as one of the world's most astonishing and renowned natural wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater does get busy, and at times very busy.  Due to the crowds, we recommend a two-night stay only here, then moving on to the Serengeti for a quieter, more private safari experience.  

Any Northern Tanzania Safari should ideally include a visit to Ngorongoro Crater: it is one of the most beautiful natural wildlife safari sites in the world and an exceptional place to interact with people from the Maasai tribe.

The Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding highlands together form one of Africa's most beautiful regions. Volcanic craters form stunning backdrops to some of the most fertile and richest grazing grounds in Africa. The most famous such crater is without question Ngorongoro, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and home to the highest density of big game in Africa. Ngorongoro is justifiably one of the continent's most famous safari destinations.   

How to get to the Ngorongoro Crater | Arusha to Ngorongoro

• Driving from Arusha. Depending on your party size, it may be cheaper for you to all share a private vehicle and guide from when you are picked up from your international flight at Kilimanjaro Airport all the way until you fly out of the Ngorongoro region. If you are driving, it is essential to have a night either side of your crater descent either in a camp on the crater rim, or a 20 minute drive away in the Ngorongoro Highlands. This means you can get to the gates early to avoid the crowds!
• Flying from Arusha. If you are staying at a “fly in” camp which means your guide and vehicle are provided by your camp, and not by a ground handler from Arusha, you can fly into Lake Manyara airstrip, and get picked up by the camp. This can be a good idea if there are less people in your party, making flying cheaper than driving in a private vehicle from Arusha.

Ngorongoro Crater Weather - When to go

Since the wildlife mainly stays in the crater all year round, there is really no good or bad time to visit. However given that the crater floor does get busy with vehicles, it can be more pleasant to visit during low season. Higher water levels in Lake Magadi (in the centre of the Crater) also result in higher concentrations of flamingos.  Whenever you visit to Ngorongoro, you are guaranteed excellent safari action. The beauty of an Ngorongoro safari is because of its unique micro-climate, it can be enjoyed year round. 

For a summary of the Best time to go to the Ngorongoro Crater, please follow this link.
 

How did the Ngorongoro Crater form?

Now classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater was formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed around 3 million years ago. The cone of the volcanic caldera collapsed inwards and created what we know today as one of the most unique safari parks in Africa, and indeed the world. A one of a kind safari destination teeming with life. 

Now Ngorongoro is a notoriously difficult destination to work out logistics for, but from 20 years experience organising such trips, we can guide you in the right direction - so give us a call to discuss your different options.

Ngorongoro Crater is a large, unbroken caldera located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. The crater formed around 2.5 million years ago when a large volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself. Today, the Ngorongoro Crater is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The crater is approximately 20 kilometers wide and 600 meters deep, making it one of the largest unflooded and unbroken calderas in the world. The crater is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, black rhinoceroses, and buffalo. It is also a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 400 species of birds having been recorded in the area.

Visitors to the Ngorongoro Crater can participate in game drives, guided walks, and cultural tours of the nearby Maasai villages. The best time to visit the crater is during the dry season, from June to October, when the wildlife is concentrated around the water sources and the skies are clear for optimal visibility. However, it is possible to visit the crater year-round, with the wet season from November to May offering the opportunity to see newborn animals and lush vegetation.