Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Authentic Safaris. Lifetime Memories.

Overview

Your first glimpse of stunning Ngorongoro will likely come from the heavily forested viewpoint that looks down upon its sun-drenched, cloud-dappled magnificence. Ringed on all sides by the tropical forest-draped walls of the caldera, Ngorongoro looks like something out of myth. One of the best places in the country to see the endangered black rhinoceros, the park is home to the entirety of the big five and is a particularly good place to see lions and cape buffalo year-round

Info

Size: 8,300 square kilometres.

Location: Between Lake Manyara National Park and Serengeti National Park.

Best Time: Year-round.

To Do: Game drives, Olduvai Gorge, visits to nearby Empakaai Crater or Olmoti Crater, and cultural visits.

Known For: Rhinoceros, the starting point of the Great Migration, and stunning views.

Park Gallery

Explained Ngorongoro National Park

The Ngorongoro Crater is a unique geological feature located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a protected area in Tanzania. It is the largest unbroken and unflooded caldera in the world, and it was formed over two million years ago when a massive volcano collapsed in on itself.

The crater is roughly 12 miles (19 kilometers) in diameter and its walls rise to a height of around 2,000 feet (610 meters). The crater floor covers an area of about 100 square miles (260 square kilometers) and is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife, including over 25,000 large animals such as elephants, lions, hippos, and giraffes. The crater is also one of the few places in Africa where visitors have a chance to spot the highly endangered black rhino.

The Ngorongoro Crater has a unique ecosystem that supports a diverse range of plant and animal life. The crater’s walls act as a natural barrier that helps to keep the wildlife within the confines of the crater, making it a natural enclosure. As a result, the animals in the crater are protected and have thrived for thousands of years.

The crater floor is mostly covered by grasslands, which provide food for the grazing animals such as wildebeest and zebras. The alkaline Lake Magadi is also found on the crater floor, which is home to large flocks of flamingos and other water birds.

Due to its unique landscape and abundant wildlife, the Ngorongoro Crater is a popular destination for safari tours in Tanzania. Visitors can take guided game drives on the crater floor to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat, and also take in the stunning panoramic views of the crater walls. Overall, the Ngorongoro Crater is a must-see destination for anyone interested in African wildlife and natural wonders.