Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Safari suitability: 9/10
Find your tourThe park has all of the big five, but its small, limited size means that one or two days will suffice.
What YAS members think
Highlights
- Black-maned lions
- All of the big five
- No giraffe on the crater floor
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Proximity to other great parks, such as the Serengeti and Lake Manyara.
About Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Crater was originally part of the Serengeti National Park, until it became its own park in 1959. In 1979 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most-visited regions of Tanzania and is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. The crater is actually the world’s largest intact caldera, with the walls of the crater being roughly 670m (2000ft) high and the crater floor measuring roughly 18km (10 miles) in diameter. The crater floor has its own ecosystem and environment and it is not uncommon for the temperature to be significantly warmer on the crater floor than it is at the rim of the crater. The elevation of the rim is around 2280m (7500ft) and the base is around 1680m (5500ft).
Because the crater floor is small in size, it can also become very crowded with vehicles. The high concentration of safari vehicles on the crater floor means the animals are more accustomed to seeing these vehicles and are less timid when they approach. This may make for better photo opportunities but it also can be a bit of a negative point for those looking for a more authentic safari experience.
There are no lodging options on the crater floor and all guests must overnight on the rim. In general, the standard of accommodation is extremely high, with five-star lodges overlooking the caldera. A Ngorongoro Crater safari is recommended for all levels of safari goers and it is a great addition to a Serengeti safari. It is also close to Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks.
Ngorongoro Crater wildlife
Between the crater rim and floor it is possible to see all of the big five at Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is one of the best places to see the endangered black rhino. Giraffes are absent from the crater floor. It is thought that the banks of the caldera are too steep for them to ascend. They can be spotted around the rim. Lions have adapted to the cooler temperatures of the crater by growing thicker, darker manes. Lion mane color can vary within the year, depending on ambient temperature. Mane color is thought to also darken with age. The annual wildebeest migration passes by the crater highlands around the months of December through MarchAt the base of the crater is a large soda lake called Lake Magadi or Lake Makat. It is home to thousands of brightly-colored flamingos and is very popular for photo opps.
When to visit Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater can be visited year-round. During the driest months, June through October, the lake can turn into a large, white salt bed. The crater bottom is also home to a very high concentration of wildlife, and visitors are not disappointed at the quality and quantity of animals. The annual wildebeest migration also passes by the crater highlands, and guests visiting around the months of December through March may get to witness the migration in this part of Ngorongoro Crater.
Sort by:
United States
The 4 days Ngorongoro Crater safari was an experience I will never forget. It's a unique ecosystem, and we saw so many animals that we didn't see anywhere else. I would highly recommend this safari to anyone to enjoy more in life.
This is one of the greatest park whereby you get all the wildlife together in one crater. I definitely recommend this park to all my clients and people considering visiting Tanzania for safari.
It was a lifetime experience to visit Ngorongoro Crater. I enjoyed seeing elephants, lions, zebras and varieties of birds. It was the game drive with a professional tour guide who taught me a lot about wild animals and birds.
Ngorongoro crater is the best place to see black rhinoceros, wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles. Nevertheless, one can see leopard, hyena, jackal, cheetah, elephants, hippos, waterbuck, baboons, antelope family, and small mammals. There are lots of colourful flamingos and a variety of water birds in this area too for bird lovers. The crater also has the densest known population of lions and can find the black-maned lion. This trip will give you an unforgettable memory to take home.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is considered the eighth wonder of the world. The so-called Garden of Eden is home to one of the largest permanent populations of animals in the crater/caldera of the volcano's 20-kilometer-long crater and 610 meters down, where of course, there are the Big Five and other animals that are very difficult to see, such as black rhinoceroses and not to forget the birdlife in its own Lake Magadi with flamingos.
It was a fantastic safari to did game drive at Ngorongoro Crater with my families. We really enjoyed it was amazing experience to my family because it was their first time to visit Ngorongoro crater. We saw a lot of animals including Big Five animal as we were lucky enough. The safari was very breathtaking and we did it as a day trip. My family wishes to spend a lot of time being in Ngorongoro.
We took a trip to Ngorongoro Tanzania in February of 2021 with some colleagues. This was during the Covid pandemic and we had an amazing experience coming close to wildlife during this period there are fewer travelers out on safari. On the descent road we came across two male Lions and spent quite sometime alone watching them sleep and move towards the Crater floor. The Ngorongoro Crater was amazing with lots of wildlife and the greenery and more so especially with few people in the crater meant we had the crater to ourselves. We enjoyed the serenity and this is one location i would highly recommend while in Tanzania.
This crater, now extinct, was formed following the collapse of a volcano on itself when its magma chamber emptied during a volcanic eruption. The Ngorongoro is the largest intact, unsubmerged caldera in the world.
Imagine you’re seated on your comfortable sofa on a freezing winter evening. You’re zapping furiously with your remote and then, out of the blue, you land on one of those channels full of exotic animals in a fairy tale surrounding. The setting is a vast grassy plain, the sun is shining, the animals are quite, but attentive. A pride of lions here, a group of zebras there. There’s a lake nearby and some yellow acacias. All around a rim surrounds this paradise. You are watching a documentary about Ngorongoro Crater. If you want a real emotion you have to look out from the Crater View Point at 2,200 meters over this immense caldera. There and only there you can understand what nature is capable of. What you are witnessing is the largest caldera existing on Earth, originated from the massive explosion of a big volcano which collapsed on itself and created this wonder, some 2.5 million years ago. More than three thousand mammals, birds, all the big five, including some black rhinos, the sighting of which is as rare as fortunate. Pay attention, though, to respect the strict rules of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area that allow the visits only for six hours a day in order to maintain safe the ecosystem. A great idea!
Australia
We thoroughly enjoyed our day down in the Ngorongoro Crater organized by Mgalaa Expeditions. Since the abundant wildlife is confined within the area of the crater, and since the crater area actually contains many different types of terrains (plains, woodlands, hills, lakes, etc....), you are likely to see everything during your day there, from lions chasing wildebeests, to baboons and monkeys in the woodlands, to hippos at the Ngoitokitok Springs, to rhinos in the plains, etc... A truly memorable experience. A TIP: get there at six when the park opens; there will be no lines, you will have the wildlife virtually to yourself, and you will avoid the heat of the midday.
Driving to Ngorongoro Crater from Arusha
Ngorongoro Crater is easily accessible from Arusha. The drive takes roughly three to four hours and conveniently passes by Lake Manyara NP and very close to Tarangire NP. The majority of the road is tarmacked, which allows for a relatively smooth ride. Driving from the Serengeti, depending on which part of the park you are in, takes around three to four hours.
Domestic flights to Ngorongoro Crater
In addition to charter flights, which offer the ultimate in flexibility, but at a price, a few carriers offer regularly scheduled domestic flights to the Ndutu region, which is the closest airstrip to Ngorongoro Crater and which falls inside the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.
The following airlines travel to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area
As Salaam Air has grown to be a leading air carrier between the Tanzanian Islands. Our experienced team understands that customer satisfaction is important to the creation of a successful flight operation. Thus, we go above and beyond to satisfy our clients. The airline plies eight routes to promote tourism within and outside the country. We have two fuel-efficient aircraft Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, which are good for the environment and the safety of our clients.We would like to help you discover more about our Islands here on our website and at every step of your journey Visit website
Also flies to:
Precision Air is a publicly-listed Tanzanian airline and a leader in providing scheduled flight services to over 10 destinations within and outside Tanzania from its main hub Dar es Salaam. The company operates on the principle that quick, comfortable and reliable service is the best way to serve its customers. Through its customer-focused approach, many have become part of the Precision Air family. Precision Air started with its headquarters in Arusha - the midpoint between the Cape and Cairo, which is the entry point to many of Tanzania's world-renowned landmarks and national parks. The headquarters of Precision Air are now Dar es Salaam, the business complex of the country, which is home to a vast size of traffic travelling within and outside Tanzania. Visit website
Also flies to:
Regional air is a recognized leader in the aviation industry in Tanzania, the airline began in 1997 with one pilot and one aircraft. They are affiliated to the long-established Nairobi-based domestic airline, Airkenya. We are based in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha. Arusha is the starting point of safaris into Northern Tanzania, as the airline also offers charters to these various parks and game reserves. Visit website
Also flies to:
TANZANAIR was formed in 1969 and pioneered aviation throughout Tanzania. Today it continues to live up to its slogan as theComplete Aviation Company. It was founded by Dinos J Samaras who managed the Company until he passed away in April 2010. It is now headed by his son John Samaras who was his deputy since 1983. With 45 years experience, TANZANAIR offers tailor-made air travel to suit the needs of its customers. With a modern fleet of twin and single-engine Cessna and Beechcraft turbine aircraft, TANZANAIRs well-established reputation leads the way in air charter services throughout the region. TANZANAIR operates out of its own purpose-built Passenger Terminal located between Terminal I and II at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. The passenger lounge is adjacent to the two hangars. It is housed within a secure wall enclosed compound with ample parking facilities. Visit website
Also flies to:
ZanAir Limited is a domestic airline based in Zanzibar. Since their inaugural flight in 1992, ZanAir has continued to establish a quality reputation, serving esteemed clientele. ZanAir is an acknowledged expert within Tanzania serving all destinations, including remote unpaved bush locations. Visit website
Also flies to:
Flown by an international team of pilots, Zantas Air has one of the youngest fleets of Cessna Grand Caravans in Tanzania. These are maintained to the highest safety standards and comply with the ICAO, CESSNA, and TCAA directives. We have an exclusive lounge at Arusha airport. Guests can relax in our comfortable lounge while they wait for their flight. Our operations are designed to suit our client's needs with a customized itinerary based on their schedule. Zantas Air works with its sister company, Mbali Mbali Lodges and Camps, to offer shared charter flights. We fly passengers from Northern Tanzania to Western Tanzania twice a week on Monday and Thursdays. Visit website
Also flies to:
Ngorongoro Crater map
Nearby parks and game reserves
Related articles
Latest photos
