Ngorongoro Crater

Created by the collapse of a massive volcano, the Ngorongoro Crater is a natural paradise unlike any other. Nowhere else in Africa do so many predators live in such a small area. Around 25,000 large mammals roam the fertile crater floor. This unique protected area is surrounded by crater walls up to 500 meters high.

Elephants in the Ngorongoro Crater
Lion cub in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
View over the beautiful crater
Shy gazelle in tall grass
Zebras and wildebeests gather at the crater lake
View into the crater View into the crater
Year-round Year-round
High price level High price level
1 - 2 days 1 - 2 days

The Ngorongoro Crater lies at an altitude of over 2,000 meters and therefore has its own unique climate. In the morning, fog often hangs over the crater rim, temperatures are pleasantly cool, and it is significantly greener than in the lower-lying plains. Inside the crater, you will find many different types of landscape in a very small area: grasslands, swamps, forests, a salt lake, and small rivers. This is precisely what makes the place so special—the animals do not have to migrate because they find everything they need in one place. That is why the crater is full of life all year round.

Members of the Maasai people, who have been connected to this landscape for generations, still live around the crater today. Their presence is part of the cultural history of the region – even though their lives there are becoming increasingly restricted. The crater is also one of the most famous places for safaris in Tanzania. Almost every tour in the north of the country leads here.

animals-ngorongoro

Animals in Ngorongoro

A glance into the crater floor reveals an impressive animal world: in a small area, you will encounter herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles moving stoically across the vast plains. In between, mighty buffalos, isolated elephant bulls, and grazing antelopes make their way.

Special attention should be paid to the secretive inhabitants: with a little luck, the last wild black rhinos in East Africa can be observed from a distance. At the same time, prides of lions and groups of hyenas engage in a constant battle for supremacy.

If you look closely, you will also discover hippos, ostriches, jackals, and an astonishing variety of birds among the trees and riverbanks: from flamingos on the alkaline lake to vultures circling high above the savanna floor.

Highlights

  • 01

    Part of the Great African Rift Valley

    The Ngorongoro Crater is located on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, one of the most significant geological structures on Earth. This tectonic rift system stretches over 6,000 kilometers from Syria to Mozambique.

  • 02

    Largest intact caldera in the world

    With an area of approximately 260 km² and a depth of around 600 m, Ngorongoro is the largest unflooded caldera of a former volcano in the world – formed around 2.5 million years ago.

  • 03

    Cradle of humanity

    Just a few kilometers to the west lies Olduvai Gorge, one of the world’s most important sites for early hominid fossils. Some of the oldest human traces, dating back over 1.8 million years, were discovered here.

  • 04

    Highest predator density in Africa

    Due to the abundance of prey and the limited escape routes, the crater is home to a particularly large number of lions, hyenas, and other predators living in a confined space.

  • 05

    A paradise for birdwatchers

    Although the altitude is around 2,300 m, there are over 500 species of birds here, including flamingos, ostriches, eagles, and many migratory birds. This makes the region a hotspot for ornithologists.

Activities

Game drive

Observe elephants, lions, and other wildlife in the world-famous crater.

Game drive

Culture

Visit a traditional Maasai village on the crater rim.

Maasai village in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Bird watching

Discover flamingos, ostriches, and over 500 other species.

Bird watching in the crater

Hiking

Explore the region on foot with a guide (outside the crater).

Landscape Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Getting there

By car

By car

The crater can be reached by car from Arusha in about 3-4 hours, usually as part of a guided safari on well-maintained roads.

By plane

By plane

The Ngorongoro Crater can be reached by small plane via Lake Manyara Airstrip, followed by a 1.5-hour drive to the crater rim.

Are you ready for your adventure?

Whether you want to climb Kilimanjaro, get to know the Maasai and their culture, or float over the savannah in a hot air balloon, you'll find everything you need here!

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