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The Highlands Ngorongoro View Point

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

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Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in northern Tanzania is home to one of the most spectacular safari experiences on the continent.

Part of the Serengeti ecosystem – definitely one of Tanzania’s must-see places – the landscape of this 829,200-hectare  UNESCO  World Heritage Site ranges from short-grass plains, grazed by dazzles of zebra and large herds of wildebeest, to placid crater lakes and volcanic peaks wreathed in cloud.

The famous Ngorongoro Crater  —  one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the feature from which the NCA takes its name  —  is the world’s largest inactive and empty volcanic caldera, formed 2 to 3 million years ago. Around 25,000 large animals live in the 30,000-hectare crater, including lion, black rhino and elephant. 

Spend a day on safari in the crater, pausing for a special lunch in the bush.  Visitors  can also hike up the Olmoti volcano, trek down to the Empakaai Crater lake (where pink flamingos flock in the shallows) or visit a Ngorongoro village to learn about Maasai culture . 

The NCA is a year-round destination, though birders may want to visit when the migratory birds are in the area and photographers , around the rains, when the landscape tends to be more photogenic. 

The NCA has a mild, temperate climate. Due to the altitude, it’s possible for night-time temperatures to drop below freezing. Even during the day, the crater never gets very hot , so make sure to  bring layers. 

  • Oct, Nov, Dec
  • Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
  • Feb, Mar, Apr, May

June to October

During the dry season, you’ll find the vegetation in the crater to be less dense, making wildlife spotting much easier — especially when it comes to big cats. At this time, a lot of the animals clustered around permanent water sources, again resulting in more frequent sightings.

The days are usually sunny without being too hot; the crater floor only reaches a high of 20˚C (68˚F). The afternoons tend to be quite dusty, which results in a soft light that can make for beautiful photographs.

October to December

The short rains usually last for around a month, any time between October and December. The afternoon showers won’t have a huge impact on your safari.

February to May

Migratory wildebeest herds calve around February, which attracts plenty of predators. Shortly after, the long rains begin, with thunderstorms and showers in the afternoon. The days tend to be warmer than those of the dry season, with the crater floor averaging 23°C (73°F) and dropping to approximately 6°C (43°F) around the rim.

Ngorongoro Climate

June to October; December to January

26-29°C/79-84°F

March to May (long rains); October to December (short rains)

8-12°C/47-54°F

March to May

Ngorongoro Wildlife

With more than 25,000 large animals and hundreds of bird species, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area lives up to its reputation for incredible wildlife viewing. The Ngorongoro Crater is home to wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle. From the crater rim, watch the herds journey across the base in long columns. Keep an eye open for black rhinos in the bushes and old bull elephants with long, majestic tusks around the Gorigor Swamp. Leopards lurk in the Lerai forest, while prides of lions prowl the plains. On the northern flank of the Olmoti volcano, you may spot buffalo, zebra and hyena. Hike down to the Empakaai Crater to see thousands of pink flamingos around the edges of the soda lake.

Species of Ngorongoro Conservation Area

lion1.jpg (4)

Golden jackal

Elephants Mother Baby Encounter Mara HR

Thomson's gazelle

Buffalo 4418676 1920

Spotted hyena

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As featured in

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Where the world began: Ngorongoro, Tanzania

By Stanley Stewart

Ngorongoro Tanzania  a guide to the best safaris camps and lodges in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Africa

Spectacular new safari camps in the Crater Highlands of Tanzania are changing the way we experience this prehistoric phenomenon

Flamingos line a soda lake in Empakaai Crater in Ngorongoro Tanzania

Dawn at Entamanu and the world seemed newborn. Mists unfurled from the depths of Ngorongoro Crater. Three giraffes materialised like ghosts from behind acacias. Two golden jackals trotted past, and somewhere a hyena barked as the day, and the world, shed their darkness.

From the veranda of the mess tent, nursing a bowl of milky coffee, I watched as a Maasai woman appeared among the long grass, wrapped against the morning chill in her red cloak. She wore the elaborate jewellery of the Ilkisongo clan - long dangling earrings and a white beaded collar gleaming in the early light. On her back, bound in the cloak, was a baby. Only its tiny head showed between her shoulder blades.

She approached an ancient fig tree, a few yards from our tents. First, she spat on the trunk, a traditional Maasai greeting or benediction. Then, lying a handful of grass at its base, she began to murmur prayers. Finally she unwrapped a small beaded bracelet, a votive offering, and tied it to a branch. A moment later she was gone as the hornbills set up a clattering racket along the crater's edge.

To the great writer and naturalist Peter Matthiessen, the Crater Highlands were 'the most beautiful of all the regions that I have seen in Africa '. To the Maasai, this is God's country; the Almighty himself lives here, a useful, if occasionally troublesome, neighbour.

Extinct volcanos dominate the highlands, marching northwards towards sulphurous Lake Natron: Oldeani, Lemagrut, Ngorongoro, Olmoti, Loolmalasin and Embagai. The Maasai god Ngai lives on the last and most beautiful of these: Ol Doinyo Lengai. Its silhouette is like a child's drawing of a mountain - solitary, pointed, symmetrical - the blue of its flanks running over the lines to merge with the sky. Alone of these volcanoes, Ol Doinyo Lengai is still active. When God is displeased with his people, he blows his top; the eruptions can blight the pasture for miles around. When he is pleased, he sends the Maasai rain and children.

Some years ago I walked across these highlands, a week's trek from Ngorongoro to Lake Natron on the Kenyan border, with two Maasai warriors - fine fellows, but appalling cooks - and a couple of dogged baggage donkeys. My return this time felt like a kind of homecoming. It is a common feeling, even for those who have never been here before, for this is where humanity was born.

Away to the west lies Olduvai Gorge, where Mary and Louis Leakey first came in the 1930s looking for evidence of our earliest ancestors. Some 48km long and 90 metres deep in places, Olduvai is a cavernous ravine between steep escarpments where layers of volcanic ash from the highland volcanoes have been laid down over millions of years.

Salt lakes in Ngorongoro Crater

The gorge is really an enormous book about early life on Earth. From time to time, earthquakes, floods, or simple erosion disturb the binding and another page falls open: the fossils of an extinct three-toed horse, the bones of dinosaurs, stone tools used by hominids, a jaw fragment of a Homo habilis . But nothing is as remarkable as the footprints, the earliest imprint of our kind on this planet.

About 3.7 million years ago, two or three early hominids walked upright across this gorge through soft volcanic ash. They marched more or less in line, following so closely that one often stepped into the footprints of the one ahead. When the ash hardened to rock, the interweaving footprints were preserved; the remarkable plaster casts can be seen in the little museum above the gorge. Their footprints, so individual, prompt a rush of questions. Not the big academic ones about their stage in the development of Homo sapiens , but the smaller, more personal ones. What was the relationship between these three, and where were they heading? Perhaps they were on their way to water in the late afternoon, the time of day when animals drifted across the gorge towards a water hole. We can never know the answers, of course, but for a moment human curiosity has connected me to some of our earliest ancestors, across almost four million years.

On that first morning, in the earliest light, I followed the rim of Ngorongoro past strutting ostriches and solitary Maasai stepping in and out of clouds. As we turned down the old track leading into the caldera, I saw great provinces of light and shadow gliding over the crater floor far below. Scanning the grassland with binoculars, I spotted a pair of lions padding patiently after them.

A giraffe emerges in Ngorongoro Crater

Surrounded by steep escarpment walls, Ngorongoro's caldera, 12km across and more than 600 metres deep, contains one of Africa's richest concentrations of game - an enclosed Eden of grass and animals. Humanity has been banished from this place for several generations, and the density of wildlife here can hardly be exaggerated.

Thousands of wildebeest trailed back and forth across the space like lost souls with their hopeless, dopey expressions. Among them, handsome Thomson's gazelle, poised on dancer's legs, suddenly lifted their heads and darted away, zig-zagging through the grassland. Warthogs trotted past, their tails aloft like flags. A quartet of hyenas appeared, tongues lolling greedily in their ghastly death heads. I picnicked by a lake where hippos surfaced while sacred ibis waded in the shallows. Beyond the lake a pair of ostriches were mating.

Dawn breaks over Ngorongoro Crater

The day's best sighting came at the end as we made our way homeward. In a woodland of yellow-bark acacias, I spotted a herd of elephant, browsing with a kind of delicate slow motion. A toddler elephant peeped between his mother's legs. A huge bull uprooted a tree as if he were picking a flower. Then suddenly he paused, raised his trunk and trumpeted. The great rolling bellow seemed to shake the woodland and reverberate against the escarpments. It was a memory of another age, long before three of our distant ancestors walked across Olduvai Gorge.

Forming the eastern flanks of the great rift valley, the Crater Highlands roll away beneath tall skies. Westward lie vast, lion-coloured plains that tip towards the Serengeti . This is Maasai land, a world of grass, a landscape for nomads. The Maasai know it as Siringet, 'the place where the land runs on forever'. Their round bomas , or homesteads, and their spiky cattle stockades are the only marks of man here - huddled together beneath columns of wood smoke, like the world's first human inhabitants.

In a place where herds of animals are so common, the Maasai are proud of their cows. Cattle are part of their identity, not just a sign of wealth and status, but also a kind of romance. They sing to their cows and have dozens of words to describe them. They believe that when Ngai, the Maasai god, gave them these lands he was kind enough to throw in all the world's cattle. So if the tribe has a reputation as cattle thieves, it is only because they are retrieving what is rightfully theirs.

A Maasai woman in Ngorongoro

In the late afternoon, I walked down to the village beneath Entamanu camp with my guide. From pastures all along the crater rim, the Maasai were bringing the cows home along ancient droving trails. Centuries of cattle have worn these paths into deep ravines, sunk into the landscape.

We fell in behind a large herd in the charge of a 10-year-old boy, armed with a herding stick and a proprietorial swagger. A group of women appeared, driving donkeys laden with firewood. It was that golden hour when a low sun rakes through the grass. In the still air, voices called back and forth, the banter of day's end.

Our arrival at the village was a moment of confusion. Dogs barked, donkeys brayed and men shouted as the women untied firewood with a clatter and boys herded milling cattle into their corrals. People spat on me by way of welcome while older women carrying decorated gourds emerged from houses to milk the cows.

With their red togas and glinting spears, the Maasai are one of Africa's more iconic tribes. They keep their hair carefully braided and oiled, and wear more jewellery than a dowager on Coronation Day. And that is just the men. Women shave their heads and favour wide beaded neck bands, which quiver seductively when they dance. They also do everything, from lambing to house construction. The modern age has eroded most of the traditional male pursuits - stealing cattle, fighting neighbouring tribes, killing lions - so the men tend to spend their days drinking honey beer while their wives nag them to take another wife to lessen their workload. One of the women invited me home for the Maasai equivalent of afternoon tea. A visit to a Maasai house can be a bit like that nightmare in which you have to run back into a burning building to rescue the family cat. The tribe remain unconvinced of the merits of windows and chimneys, and their small, low houses are dark and filled with thick smoke from the cooking fire.

As my eyes adjusted to the gloom, I could just make out my hostess, a baby at her breast. The bowl of milk that was proffered had a curious metallic taste. When I tipped it towards the light of the fire to have a look, I could see the milk was pink - they had added fresh cow's blood as a special treat.

Several warriors had turned up while I had been drinking blood. The pride of Maasai society, the warriors, or moran , are admired for their courage, stoicism and fancy hair.

They were dancing in a semi-circle, accompanying themselves with breathy chant. One by one the warriors stepped into the centre of the circle to jump straight into the air. The most accomplished, who seemed to hang for a moment at the peak of the jump, performed a nifty shoulder shimmy.

Like pop stars, Maasai warriors are relieved of the bother of chasing women because the women chase them. A gang of young girls had now gathered, their shaved heads shining. Sidling up to the moran , they shook their shoulders, which set their wide necklace collars vibrating flirtatiously. The air was rich with the aroma of Africa - a mixture of wood smoke, cow dung and dust. The men chanted and leapt higher and higher, the girls shimmied closer and closer, while a new moon hung over the rim of Ngorongoro. A royal ball would not have been this glamorous.

The following morning I went to look at the tree where the woman had paused with her offering. Twisted with age, it was sacred to the local Maasai. The trunk was embedded with personal tokens - metal rings, bits of jewellery, scraps of cloth - left here over the course of generations.

The tree was possibly a couple of hundred years old, but the fig, as a species, is one of the oldest in Africa. It grew in these parts some 80 million years ago, when God presided over a pristine Eden, when dinosaurs still roamed this country, and when the world was still young, long before man was born.

Flamingos fly over a soda lake in Empakaai Crater

THE BEST CAMPS IN NGORONGORO

Nomad Tanzania , the ace safari enterprise, owns and operates some of the best camps and lodges in the country, from Sand Rivers deep in the Selous Game Reserve to Greystoke Mahale on a white-sand beach on Lake Tanganyika. And now there's Entamanu, a wonderfully intimate camp of just six tents, which opened in August 2016. Here, the classic safari look has been given a sophisticated, contemporary shake by the brilliant, Arusha-based designer Joanna Cooke, using a calming palette of muted earth tones, furnishings you'll want to take home and traditional African pieces displayed as artwork.

A dust devil in Ngorongoro

The tents are huge, and it is possible to contemplate the finest views in Africa from the loo. Nomad is set on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater and the panoramas from here are truly humbling. Below lies the vast bowl of the crater, while behind is the Serengeti, so you can watch the sunrise in one direction and the sunset in the other. Near neighbours are nosy giraffes browsing in the open acacia woodland, snobbish ostriches and the occasional Maasai herdsmen. This may be a smart, stylish camp, beautifully executed, but its environmental footprint is almost nil. When the Maasai elders think it time to return the site to nature, the whole gorgeous creation can be taken away without leaving a trace.

A geodesic dome in The Highlands

The Highlands

Asilia Africa has gone for something completely different here: eight pods set on the edge of a mountain forest to the north of Ngorongoro. The geodesic domes may look like something from Mars, but they are extremely practical. Wood-fired stoves keep the pods warm and most of the dome fabric is transparent, bringing views to the foot of your bed. Elegant wood-lined public spaces - a circular reception around a fire pit; a cosy bar and restaurant - are linked by boardwalks with panoramas of the Embulbul plains. Cape Town -based design outfit Artichoke is responsible for the rooms, which have Graham Springer's magnificent portraits of the Maasai, reminding you whose land this is.

Asilia means 'authentic' in Swahili, and the team has thought carefully about this. 'It is not just what you see,' says guide trainer Pietro Luraschi, 'it is how you see it.' Game drives are available in the afternoon, a dramatic departure from African tradition but one which allows guests to savour the place in complete peace. It is the sensitive way it has nurtured relations with the surrounding communities that is most impressive. Visits to local villages feel meaningful and mutually beneficial. Nobody will be swamped by pestering jewellery sellers, but you may end up herding cattle or chatting with a young wife inside a Maasai boma , without feeling your presence is part of wider cultural erosion.

Natural High Safaris offers a six-night safari trip to Ngorongoro Crater and the Highlands of Tanzania in Africa from £5,800 per person, with three nights each at Nomad Tanzania 's Entamanu Camp and at Asilia Africa 's The Highlands . The price includes international flights, one night in Arusha, local transfers, meals, drinks, game drives, walking/hiking, park and camping fees, one Ngorongoro Crater fee, a private guide and use of a four-wheel-drive.

This feature first appeared in Condé Nast Traveller April 2017

article image

By Peter Browne

Flamingos line a soda lake in Empakaai Crater in Ngorongoro Tanzania

Flamingos line a soda lake in Empakaai Crater in Ngorongoro, Tanzania

The Maasai in Ngorongoro

The Maasai in Ngorongoro

Dawn breaks over Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

Dawn breaks over Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

Flamingos fly over a soda lake in Empakaai Crater in Ngorongoro Tanzania

Flamingos fly over a soda lake in Empakaai Crater in Ngorongoro, Tanzania

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A giraffe emerges in Ngorongoro Crater

A giraffe emerges in Ngorongoro Crater

Salt lakes in Ngorongoro Crater

Salt lakes in Ngorongoro Crater

Dawn breaks over Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

An elephant spotted in Ngorongoro

A geodesic dome in The Highlands

A geodesic dome in The Highlands

A dust devil in Ngorongoro

A dust devil in Ngorongoro

Flamingos line a soda lake in Empakaai Crater

Flamingos line a soda lake in Empakaai Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania: The Complete Guide

ngorongoro safari portal

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Located in Tanzania ’s northern Crater Highlands, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and one of the country’s most famous safari destinations . Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it covers 8,292 square kilometres of magnificent grass plains, acacia woodlands and crater-filled highlands. It is named after the world’s largest intact and unfilled caldera, the Ngorongoro Crater, and provides a home for Maasai pastoralists who live in relative harmony alongside the region’s abundant wildlife. 

Ngorongoro's History

The area now known as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has been occupied by hominid species for approximately three million years - an astonishing fact proven by fossil evidence found at Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli. Around the time that our ancient ancestor, Australopithecus afarensis , was leaving footprints that would become one of the most important anthropological discoveries in history, the Ngorongoro Crater was formed by a major volcanic eruption. 

For the past 2,000 years, the area has been the province of pastoralist tribes, including the Mbulu, the Datooga and most recently, the Maasai. The first Europeans arrived in 1892, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established as a sanctuary for wildlife in 1976. Three years later, the area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as the only conservation area in Tanzania that protects wildlife while allowing human cohabitation. 

A Wildlife Haven

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to an incredible abundance and diversity of wildlife, including Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, wildebeest, zebra and large herds of buffalo. The Ngorongoro Crater alone sustains around 25,000 large game animals, all of whom live at close quarters in the natural enclosure of the caldera. This density of wildlife makes the crater the best place in Tanzania to see the Big Five . It also supports the only viable population of black rhino left in the country, while its tusker elephants are some of the largest on the African continent. 

Every year, the grass plains around the crater play host to the herds of the Great Migration , usually numbering close to two million wildebeest, zebra and other antelope. This sudden abundance of prey attracts many different predators, including lion, cheetah, hyena and the endangered African wild dog. The crater’s Lerai Forest is a sun-dappled thicket of yellow-barked acacias, which provide the perfect habitat for the elusive leopard. 

Amazing Birdlife

Around 500 bird species have been recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, of which 400 can be found in the crater itself. The region’s dense acacia woodland is home to the world’s largest known population of the near threatened Fischer’s lovebird, while the Gorigor Swamp is an important habitat for aquatic species like the whiskered tern and African rail. Many of the birds found in the conservation area are unique to Tanzania or East Africa, including endemics and near-endemics such as the Jackson’s widowbird, the Hartlaub’s turaco and the rufous-tailed weaver. All seven East African vulture species are represented here, while Lake Magadi, Lake Ndutu and the Empakai Crater lake host vast flocks of lesser and greater flamingo. 

Ngorongoro Crater is the conservation area’s biggest drawcard. Covering an area of approximately 260 square miles, its spectacular scenery and prolific wildlife make it the ultimate destination for game-viewing safaris. There are plenty of opportunities to see animals outside the crater itself, too. In the Crater Highlands, the smaller calderas of Olmoti and Empakai offer the chance to embark on a walking safari, hiking adventure or climbing expedition. The former is known for its waterfalls, and the latter for its flamingo-filled soda lake. 

From December to March, the Ngorongoro grasslands welcome the herds of the Great Migration. Wildebeest and zebra arrive by the thousands to graze and give birth, and big cat sightings are common. Many tour operators and lodges offer dedicated migration safaris at this time of year. 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area also has its fair share of human interest activities. A visit to a Maasai cultural village is a must, as is a trip to Olduvai Gorge . Here, one can follow the story of world-famous archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey, who made several discoveries in the immediate area that changed our understanding of human evolution. These included the first known fossil evidence of Homo habilis , and a set of fossilized footprints that proved hominid species were already walking on two legs some 3.7 million years ago. Casts of the footprints can be seen at the Olduvai Gorge Museum. 

Where to Stay

There is a wide choice of accommodation options in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, ranging from luxury lodges on the rim of the crater itself to budget-conscious tented camps. For ultimate decadence, consider a stay at the iconic andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge , where 30 sumptuous suites boast Versailles-inspired decor and breathtaking crater views. In-room massages, private butler service and banquets on the crater floor are all part of the experience. For a more affordable option on the crater rim, try 75-room Ngorongoro Serena Lodge . 

Elsewhere, top choices include The Highlands and Ndutu Safari Lodge . The former is nestled on the slopes of Olmoti volcano, and features unique perspex and canvas dome suites complete with wood-burning stoves and floor-to-ceiling bay windows. The latter is a comfortable 3-star option located at the head of Olduvai Gorge with 34 stone cottages and a central lounge and dining room. Each cottage has a private verandah facing Lake Ndutu, famous for its flamingos. 

Weather & Health

Ngorongoro Conservation Area enjoys a subtropical climate with the winter dry season lasting from June to August, and the summer rainy season lasting from November to April. There is no bad time to travel, as each season has its own unique set of pros and cons. For the best weather and prime game viewing, plan to visit during the dry season. To catch the Great Migration, you’ll need to be travel between December and March; while summer also yields impressive numbers of rare migrant birds. November and April may be rainy, but benefit from fewer crowds and lower prices. Flamingo populations on the region’s soda lakes are greater when the water levels are high. 

Regardless of when you travel, the CDC recommends that all visitors to Tanzania are vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid. Cholera, hepatitis B and rabies vaccines may also be necessary. Because of Ngorongoro’s relatively high altitude, malaria is less of a risk here than elsewhere in Tanzania. However, prophylactics are still a good idea, especially if you’re traveling during the rainy season when mosquitoes are more prevalent. 

Getting There

Most visitors to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area pass through the regional gateway of Arusha, which can be easily accessed via domestic transfer from Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam. From Arusha Airport (ARK), it’s a three-hour drive to the conservation area. Usually, your lodge or tour operator will arrange for you to be picked up in Arusha and driven to your final destination.  

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Experience the Ngorongoro

Book an unforgettable safari with Asilia Africa in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO Heritage Site

What people say about our camps

"My wife and I had a fantastic honeymoon here! Richard and the whole team is so nice and we felt be at home in Highlands Asilia. And also, the staff prepared a lot of surprise for us! Highly recommend!"

February 2023

"Amazing experience superb staff and accommodation. Asilia goes all out to make your dry special. Experienced guides to make your safari one of a kind. I would highly recommend Asilia if traveling in Tanzania."

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The Highlands Camp, Ngorongoro

Why travel with asilia africa.

Positive Impact

Protecting our wilderness areas and the surrounding communities is a key part of who we are.

Prime Locations

Situated in the very best locations within prime game-viewing areas.

Rich Experiences

Our safaris are immersive, authentic and engaging.

Warm Hospitality

Our team welcomes you with warmth and makes you feel at home with genuine African hospitality.

Depend On Us

Our expert on-the-ground teams will safeguard your trip, ensuring all runs smoothly.

Commitment To Quality

Rely on us to arrange anything you may need, with superb level of quality throughout.

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Our internationally recognised team has a genuine passion to share Africa with you.

Are you ready to start planning your safari?

The famous Ngorongoro Crater — one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and the feature from which the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) takes its name — is the world’s largest inactive and empty volcanic caldera. Around 25,000 large animals live in the crater, including lion, black rhino and elephant. Part of the Serengeti ecosystem, the landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site ranges from short-grass plains, grazed by dazzles of zebra and large herds of wildebeest, to placid crater lakes and volcanic peaks wreathed in cloud.

The Highlands has redefined the Ngorongoro Crater experience, offering an array of activities afforded by the camp’s exclusive location and a combination of comfort and contemporary style. 

We create tailor-made itineraries for every traveller. From unique scenery, wildlife and cultures to the unrivalled hospitality in our camps, we cannot wait to tailor your journey to suit your every need. Here are some of our best African safari packages to get you started:

Great Migration Adventure

Destinations: 

  • Lake Manyara

The Ngorongoro Crater offers an entirely unique game drive experience and is not something that should be omitted from a northern circuit itinerary. Coupled with the Serengeti National Park, this itinerary presents the key attractions, neatly bundled into a six-night package featuring three different game viewing locations, with price points to suit various budgets.

FROM US$4,309

Tanzania Highlights

Tanzania classic north.

FROM US$5,390

Travel through northern Tanzania’s iconic national parks, home to some of Africa’s best wildlife densities as well as the changing landscapes of the Great Rift Valley and the rich culture of the Maasai. Enjoy game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater looking for rhino, watch herds of elephant in the verdant swamps of Tarangire and explore the vast savannah plains of the Serengeti on this experience-rich safari. 

FROM US$7,171

With countless combinations available throughout Tanzania’s “Northern Circuit”, this short but carefully curated bush and beach combination offers the perfect introduction to a Tanzania safari. From the Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti and Zanzibar, Tanzania offers the ultimate “safari and beach” destination.  In this itinerary, we have given you two different options of the same basic routing. 

January 2023

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Why Travel to the Ngorongoro?  

Every year two million wildebeest and zebra complete the 1800 mile circuit from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, through the Serengeti, across the border into Kenya's Maasai Mara and back again. Many safari goers consider this to be the greatest wildlife show on earth.

Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration

Unique destination for viewing wildlife, excellent game viewing year-round.

The Ngorongoro Crater is home to some of the richest wildlife viewing on the continent. The mineral-rich floor of the spectacular bowl is covered with nutritious grass, creating a paradise for both herbivores and carnivores. The conservation area also offers access to the Empakaai Crater and Olmoti volcano. 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is known for having some of the richest wildlife viewing on the continent, thanks in part to the Great Migration. This combined with the open plains of the savanna and mild climate results in wildlife viewing being excellent year round, even in the green season.  

Add Kenya onto your itinerary with ease 

Exquisite and exclusive camps, combine safari with a beach holiday.

Asilia operates 14 camps in Tanzania including one in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Our camps promise you excellent game viewing, unrivalled hospitality, and a range of activities for a complete immersion into your safari experience.

The tropical beaches, turquoise waters, and colourful coral reefs that form Zanzibar Island are worlds away from life on a safari. Short and relatively cheap internal flights make it easy and inexpensive to extend a safari and enjoy some rest and relaxation on the beach. 

Nearby are Tanzania's Serengeti and Kenya's Masai Mara. Travel between these  protected areas is straightforward with fly-in itineraries. Flying eliminates the need for long road transfers, meaning you spend more time on safari!

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of Tanzania’s must-see places. The crater itself is the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera, formed  2  to  3  million years ago. Today it has around 25,000 large animals living in the 30,000-hectare crater, including lion, black rhino, elephant, and giraffe - making for a great safari.  A peaceful co-existence between wildlife and people led to the NCA’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is listed as one of the International Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme. 

Highlights:

  • The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and is home to some of the richest wildlife viewing on the continent. 
  • From December to March, the Great Migration is active in the southern Serengeti/Ngorongoro Conservation Area as wildebeest gather for calving season.
  • Visitors can hike up the Olmoti volcano, trek down to the Empakaai Crater lake where pink flamingos flock in the shallows or visit a Ngorongoro village to learn about Maasai culture. 
  • The conservation area contains archaeological and palaeontological sites located at Oldupai Gorge, and early human footprints discovered at Alaitole in the Ngarusi area.

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Olmoti Nature Walk

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Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tours & Holidays

A Ngorongoro Crater tour is usually combined with a safari in neighboring Serengeti National Park. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area protects the volcanically formed Crater Highlands, which are dotted with deep volcanic craters. The best known, Ngorongoro is the world’s largest intact caldera and a natural wildlife reserve with few peers. Ngorongoro safari tours offer your best chance in Tanzania of spotting all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino) in one game drive. The crater is also notable for the spectacularly scenic combination of the verdant plains of the lake-studded crater floor and imposing 600m-/1,968ft-high cliffs that enclose it on all sides.

8-Day Mid-Range Serengeti Wildbeest Migration Tour

8-Day Mid-Range Serengeti Wildbeest Migration Tour

$2,530 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Tented Bush Camp

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Central Serengeti, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Kilimanjaro Airport (End)

Meru Slopes Tours & Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  300 Reviews

7-Day Luxury All-Inclusive Epic Safari

7-Day Luxury All-Inclusive Epic Safari

$3,240 to $3,867 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Lion King Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  1008 Reviews

7-Day Combine - Safari, Trek and Cultural Experience

7-Day Combine - Safari, Trek and Cultural Experience

$2,090 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro, Materuni (Highlight) , Moshi (End)

See Endless Adventures Tanzania   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  27 Reviews

8-Day Great Migration Safari

8-Day Great Migration Safari

$3,135 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro, Arusha (End)

Safari Soles   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  241 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

3-Day Jewels of Tanzania - Mid-Range

$1,260 to $1,620 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Unlimited Expeditions: The Soul of Tanzania   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  435 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

3-Day Serengeti & Ngorongoro (Shm-3Snb)

$1,295 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Mid-range Tented Camp

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Shemeji Safari Tanzania   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.8 /5  –  280 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

5-Day Best of the Northern Circuit Experience

$1,791 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)

Kilimanjaro Adventure Safari Club   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  145 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

5-Day Comfort Safari Experience

$1,837 to $1,914 pp (USD)

Tour operator has an office in United States

5.0 /5  –  350 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

7-Day Big Five Safari - Serengeti, Ngorongoro & Others

$2,750 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Karatu District, Arusha (End)

Savannah Explorers   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  478 Reviews

6-Day Private Wildlife and Cultural Tourism Safari

$1,595 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Budget Camping & Hotel

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Mto wa Mbu (Town) , Central Serengeti, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Serengeti Wakanda Tours and Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  462 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

7-Day Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti Luxury Safari

$4,457 to $5,665 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

10-Day Luxury Kenya & Tanzania Safari

$5,290 to $7,380 pp (USD)

Kenya & Tanzania: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Lake Nakuru NP, Masai Mara NR, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)

Spirit of Kenya

4.9 /5  –  474 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

5-Day Great Migration at the Mara River Crossing

$2,153 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Central Serengeti, Northern Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Serengeti Smile   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  189 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

3-Day Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara - Std

$990 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)

Connect African Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.9 /5  –  32 Reviews

9-Day Fly-in & Drive Safari Northern Tanzania

$3,666 pp (USD)

You Visit: Zanzibar (Start) , Central Serengeti, Serengeti NP, Northern Serengeti NP, Ndutu (Southern Serengeti) , Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Natron, Arusha (End)

Paradise & Wilderness   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.8 /5  –  112 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

3-Day Golden Safari and Cultural Tour Experience

$1,012 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Lake Eyasi, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Full Package Adventures   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  63 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

4-Day Safari - Camping Adventure (Wildbeest Migration)

$2,277 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Budget Camping

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Northern Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Benson Safaris Tanzania   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

4.8 /5  –  212 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

6-Day Wild is Life

$2,255 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Mid-range Tented Camp & Hotel

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Arusha NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara NP, Arusha (End)

Safari Goats Adventure   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  25 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

7-Day Serengeti Migration -Experience River Crossing

$2,442 pp (USD)

You Visit: Kilimanjaro Airport (Start) , Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Tanzania Juvenile Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

5.0 /5  –  37 Reviews

ngorongoro safari portal

6-Day Private Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Camping

$1,925 pp (USD)

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Tarangire NP, Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha (End)

Dallas Africa Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Tanzania

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8 Questions About Ngorongoro Safaris

Philip Briggs

Answered by

Philip briggs.

ngorongoro safari portal

When is the best time to visit Ngorongoro?

“It’s worth booking Ngorongoro safari packages for any time of year. June to October is the Dry season, which offers good visibility and wildlife viewing, but the crater is at its most beautiful in the wetter months of November to May. This period broadly coincides with the arrival of large numbers of migrant waterbirds from the northern hemisphere. Most of the crater’s more charismatic wildlife (elephants, rhinos, lions) are more or less resident. Migrant grazers, such as wildebeest and gazelle, tend to be higher in numbers in the rainy season. April and May are the low season, but it’s actually a great time for Ngorongoro holidays due to the relatively low tourist numbers. Safari prices may also drop over April to June as lodges offer discounted rates to attract more business.”

What opportunities are there to meet local Maasai people?

“Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not a national park but a biosphere reserve where a diversity of wildlife lives alongside the iconic Maasai. These traditional pastoralists are recognizable by their trademark toga-like red checkered shuka cloths and fondness for elaborate beadwork jewelry. You won’t need to spend long in Ngorongoro before you encounter Maasai cattle herders walking alongside the road. But if you want to interact with Maasai people, and especially to photograph them, it’s customary to visit one of several manyattas (groups of huts within an enclosure) that now welcome tourists for a fixed fee. Sadly, many visitors tend to disparage these manyattas as touristy, but this assessment is way off the mark. In most cases, the Maasai manyattas visited by tourists are long-standing pastoral settlements. Their inhabitants still live a traditional lifestyle but are very poor by any measure other than cattle ownership, and they make a large portion of their living from tourist visits.”

Is there accommodation inside the crater?

“No. It is forbidden to overnight on the crater floor. The best base for Ngorongoro safari tours is the crater rim. Options here range from simple campsites through to mainstream Sopa and Serena lodges, a few exclusive tented camps and the legendary ‘bush baroque’ of the unique &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Alternatively, an ever-growing cluster of lodges and hotels can be found just outside Ngorongoro in the pretty hills around Karatu. Accommodation on the rim is typically more scenically located (the views over the crater are amazing) and better positioned for game drives, but the premier location means they tend to charge a lot more than lodges around Karatu.”

What animals can I see as part of a Ngorongoro safari?

“In a word, lots. There are few places where you can so reliably see such large numbers of wildlife, including all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino), with a bit of luck, all year. The crater floor credibly claims to support the densest concentration of predators in Africa, with lions and spotted hyenas being particularly plentiful. Leopards are also seen regularly, but require a bit more luck. The fever-tree-covered Lerai Forest and adjoining Gorigor Swamp are the main haunt of the crater’s elephant population, which is dominated by old male tuskers. Ngorongoro is the one place in Tanzania where black rhinos are easily seen, usually in the vicinity of Lake Magadi. The open grassland that covers most of the crater floor also supports large herds of wildebeest and zebra, and smaller numbers of buffalo, Coke’s hartebeest, and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle. Lake Magadi normally harbors large flocks of flamingos, while other less-salty bodies of water are home to plentiful hippos.”

How long is the drive to the crater?

“The 150km/93mi road from Arusha to the main gate of Ngorongoro Conservation Area is surfaced in its entirety and can be covered in two hours or less. The short ascent to the crater rim and associated lodges is unsurfaced but in reasonably good condition. Allow 30 minutes to an hour from the gate, depending on the location of your lodge. The descent and ascent roads to the crater floor are short but very poorly maintained. They require a 4WD and some caution behind the wheel. Many people break up the drive from Arusha with a night or two in the vicinity of Lake Manyara National Park, which makes a great addition to Ngorongoro safari trips.”

Does it get cold while camping on the crater rim?

“Yes. Despite the equatorial location, most of the camps and lodges on the crater rim stand at an altitude of around 2,300m/7,545ft and can be very cold at night. You’ll feel it most if you are camping or staying in a tented camp. However, most accommodation on the crater rim comprises built-up lodges and fires are lit at night to keep it warm and cozy. Still, don’t forget to pack some warm clothing.”

How is Ngorongoro different from other parks?

“The park’s wildlife-viewing showpiece is the Ngorongoro Crater. The world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, it encompasses 260km²/100mi² of moist savannah hemmed in by sheer 600m-/1,968ft-high walls topped by a cover of dense montane forest. Even without the wildlife, the crater would rank among the world’s most stunning natural wonders. But it also doubles as a unique sanctuary within a sanctuary whose prolific wildlife and immense scenic scale regularly draws comparisons to the biblical Garden of Eden. There is nowhere else in Africa quite like it.”

What lodges or camps do you recommend for a Ngorongoro safari?

“If your budget stretches to it, try to stay on the rim. It is better placed for game drives and offers a more immersive Ngorongoro experience than staying outside the conservation area. Of the built-up lodges, I tend to favor the Sopa as a base for Ngorongoro safaris. This is not because it is inherently better than its competitors, but because it lies very close to a combined descent and ascent road that is convenient for early morning game drives. If you prefer to sleep under canvas, Lemala Ngorongoro stands close to the same road and has a wonderful location in a stand of lichen-stained flat-topped red-thorn acacias. For unrestrained all-inclusive luxury (including excellent guided activities), &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is hard to beat. Of the many (mostly cheaper) lodges outside the park, personal favorites include the upmarket Gibb’s Farm, the mid-range Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge, the more affordable Eileen’s Trees Inn and the few-frills but very budget-friendly Karatu Forest Tented Camp.”

Ngorongoro Crater In Tanzania – A Complete Guide

Posted on Last updated: 4 March 2024

Categories Tanzania

An Ngorongoro crater safari is one of the most amazing experiences in Tanzania. One of the few places to spot the big five, here’s a complete guide.

Table of Contents

How To Get To Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected 8,292 km² area and a World Heritage Site, located in the Eastern (Great) Rift Valley, northern Tanzania. It lies 150 km west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania.

The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera, measuring between 10 and 12 miles (16 and 19 km).

The crater can be reached via paved road from Arusha in just over four hours, which is also the closest domestic airport.

Kilimanjaro is the closest international airport (250km away), a 5 hour drive from Ngorongoro Crater.

Transport to Ngorongoro Crater will be included in your safari, so just be sure to let your chosen safari company know which accommodation you’re staying at, in advance.

When you arrive for your Ngorongoro safari, it’s a 30 minute descent from the entrance.

Who To Book Your Ngorongoro Crater Safari With

For our first ever African Safari, we chose to go with Shadows of Africa , and here’s why we highly recommend them.

Over a 4 day period, we explored Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater, visited local Maasai and Hadzabe tribes, plus stayed at some unbelievable accommodations.

Seeing the animals up close and personally was obviously incredible, but the organisation and service by the whole team was definitely the cherry on top of the whole experience.

Shadows Of Africa was born in 2010 and consists of a team of like-minded people, who have spent an extensive amount of time living and traveling around Africa.

The guides at Shadows of Africa were our eyes and ears of the experience, and our main driver Moody was such a knowledgeable and likeable guy.

All of the guides speak fluent English and have a real passion for the wildlife of Africa. They were happy to answer any questions we had, and made the trip a memorable one for sure.

Ngorongoro Safari Animals Ngorongoro Crater Safari Ngorongoro National Park Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater Safari Entrance Fee

All safari prices differ depending on whether you choose to customise your package or what type of experience you’re looking for.

We opted for the  Four Day Tanzania Express Safari where we visited Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater, a local Maasai Tribe and the Hadzabe Tribe. As well some insane accommodations!

This tour is priced at roughly $2,275 USD per person based on a two person group  and we cannot recommend it enough!

However, you can send Shadows Of Africa a free enquiry, as well as check out the vast range of fully customisable safari packages they offer.

Ngorongoro Safari Animals Ngorongoro Crater Safari Ngorongoro National Park Tanzania

What’s Included In The Ngorongoro Crater Safari?

Below, you will be able to see what exactly is included in a typical Shadows of Africa safari:

  • All meals on the safari – When staying at lodges, you will be on full board basis so when you’re budget camping then the accompanying chef will prepare delicious warm meals.
  • All park entrance fees & taxes.
  • Flying Doctors rescue insurance for the time of the tour with Shadows of Africa.
  • Hotel/lodge/camp accommodation for the duration of the safari.
  • Private 4×4 wheel drive vehicle with a roof hatch and sliding windows. This allows a 360 degree view of the wildlife surrounding you.
  • First aid kit – Every safari vehicle comes standard with a fully stocked first aid kit. Shadows of Africa guides are all trained in providing basic first aid.
  • Spare tyres – For any unforeseen issues that may arise in the bumpy African outback
  • Charging station – Each car includes a charging station so you can charge your phone, camera battery, or laptop while on the road.
  • WIFI – The Tanzanian vehicles come standard with WiFi so that you can stay connected while on the road.
  • Tea & Coffee – Every safari departs with a box, which includes coffee and tea that can be enjoyed at any point during your safari.
  • Binoculars – 1 pair per car.
  • Professional English speaking safari and tour guide/driver.
  • Unlimited drinking water.

Lunch With Shadows Of Africa Ngorongoro Safari Animals Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tanzania

Best Times To Visit Ngorongoro Crater

Best Times:

June, July, August, September, October, November

Good Times:

December, January, February

March, April, May

In terms of value for money, the periods just on the edge of peak season and low season are when you can get the best deals.

Travelling around November is a great time to go, because all the accommodations drop their rates as of the 1st November. 

Between June and October, which is the solid dry season in Tanzania, is when the animals are easiest to spot.

This is when the undergrowth has receded and animals tend to gather conveniently around waterholes and rivers.

The only advantages the wetter months offer are fewer people and low-season accommodation rates. 

However wildlife can be spotted all year round. Most camps and lodges are open all year round too.

A number of luxury lodgings are available on the rim of the crater, plus more affordable options are available in the nearby town of Karatu.

Weather & Climate

Conditions at Ngorongoro vary depending on the altitude.

Higher up, at the crater itself, it can get quite cold at night, particularly up on the rim. But down in the crater it stays quite warm. During the area’s dry season (June to October), there’s barely a cloud in the sky.

In the wet season (November to May), you’re likely to experience rain and a brief dry spell.

Lunch With Shadows Of Africa Ngorongoro Safari Animals Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tanzania

Animals Found In The Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater is home to the Big five and is also densely populated with other wildlife, including an estimated 6,000 wildebeest.

Black Rhino ,  Elephants, Hippo, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Lion, Cheetah, Hyena, Warthog, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, Eland.

Giraffe, Leopard.

Giraffes are not present in the in the crater because of the steep descent/lack of trees, but easy to spot on the way in along the crater rim.

It is possible to spot the Big Five on a Ngorongoro Crater safari. The big five being, rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard. However, leopards are more difficult to find.

The area contains over 25,000 large animals, including 26 black rhinos. There are 7,000 wildebeests, 4,000 zebras, 3,000 eland and 3,000 Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles. The crater also has the densest known population of lions, numbering at 62.

A visit to the Ngorongoro Crater is an experience of a lifetime. There are few places that have wildlife variety on this level and it is not so unusual to see the Big Five in one day at Ngorongoro crater.

Not only that, it has the most amazing setting, with the backdrop of a 600m high crater wall. The crater is the only intact caldera in the world.

The Black Rhino

Black rhinos in Ngororongoro crater are a rare species, whose presence has made a huge impact on the tourism industry in Tanzania. 

It’s extremely common for tourists to choose the Ngorongoro safari, specifically to see black rhinos.

There are currently 26 rhinos living in Ngorongoro crater.

Rhinos Ngorongoro Safari Animals Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tanzania

Ngorongoro Safari Packing List

We’ve put together a simple check list of items you will probably want to pack prior to your Ngorongoro Crater Safari.

Bags: Suitcase/Backpack Day Bag (For Cameras & Personal Items)

Clothing: T-Shirts Long Sleeve Shirts Long Pants Lightweight Rain Jacket Comfortable Shoes/Walking Boots Sweatshirt/Fleece Sweatpants (for wearing around camp) Sandals/Flip Flops (for wearing around camp) Dress/Jeans (For evening dinners) Swimsuit Pyjamas

Weather Dependant: Thermals/Leggings (for layering if it’s cold) Snood Beanie Hat

Sun Protection: Sunglasses Hat Sunblock

Safety/First Aid: Hand Sanitiser Deet (Mosquito Repellant) Anti Malaria Tablets First Aid Kit

Tech Gear/Accessories: Camera Spare Battery Zoom Lens Portable Powerbank Binoculars Money Belt Kindle Headphones US Dollars (for local markets/tips) Travel Insurance

Ngorongoro Safari Animals Ngorongoro Crater Safari Ngorongoro National Park Tanzania

Where To Stay In Ngorongoro

Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge – All Inclusive

Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge is located in the Karatu district, surrounded by the highlands of Tanzania.

It features a swimming pool as well as a sundeck and a spa.

Each luxury suite features a spacious viewing terrace and an open fireplace. It has a living room with a sofa and dining area.

The Acacia Restaurant has a formal dining room with an outdoor terrace and serves a la carte meals along with a buffet. Dinner at the pool or in the bush can also be arranged.

Wi-Fi is available in the public areas of the lodge too.

Karatu Tented Lodge

Karatu Tented Lodge is a 4 star hotel that offers room service, family rooms and a tour desk. 

The accommodation features a restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, and a bar and garden in Karatu. 

At the hotel, every room includes a closet. Karatu Tented Lodge provides certain units that include a patio and garden view.

However, every room comes with a private bathroom and a desk along with a fully equipped seating area. Continental breakfast is also available daily.

Lilac Elevate Inn

Lilac Elevate Inn provides accommodation, free private parking and a restaurant and bar.

Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, in addition with free WiFi throughout the property.

Guests can also enjoy city views from this hotel. All rooms have a desk, as well as a private bathroom that is equipped with a shower and free toiletries.

Some units at Lilac Elevate Inn also have a seating area. Guests at the accommodation can also enjoy a Full English/Irish breakfast.

For more places to stay in Ngorongoro, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.

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Ngorongoro Safari In Tanzania Guide

  • Vision & Mision
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  • Nasera Rock
  • Ndutu Plains
  • Gol Mountain and Sale Plains
  • Amboni Caves
  • Mbozi Meterorite
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  • Engaresero Footprints Site

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hadzabe

The United Republic of Tanzania

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY

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Tourism Activities

What to do in nca.

In NCA, tourists are admired by numerous activities attached to natural and cultural attractions, areas of archaeological interest, mountains, culture and arts and festivals and events.  

Having an abundance of flora and fauna, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is undoubtedly the best tourist destination you will ever discover. The Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve, is home to spectacular volcanic craters, landscapes, and an array of wildlife species. Game drive destinations within NCA are the Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu Plains, Sale Plains, Gol Mountains, Nasera Rock, Embulbul, and Olkarien Gorge.

While each destination is unique in every detail, a game drive in the Ngorongoro crater is by far the tourists’ most popular and favorite destination. A gradual descent into the Ngorongoro Crater through a lush highland forest, provides countless opportunities to spot magnificent birdlife among various tree species. Once on the grassy crater floor, you may encounter a wide range of grazing herbivores, as well as predators drawn to the plentiful supply of prey.

Walking Safaris

A walking safari in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with nature in a more intimate and personal way. You not only walk through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s natural areas, which have spectacular landscapes, wildlife, and people, but you also synchronize with your surroundings and become one in every detail. During this remote walking safari, you will explore extinct volcanoes, diverse landscapes, wildlife, and meet the local Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe.

This all-inclusive scenic walking safari takes place in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, wherein is the world’s largest unbroken caldera; the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Destinations for this wonderful activity include; the Ngorongoro Crater rim, Empakaai Crater, Olmoti Crater, Mount Makarot (Lemagarut), and Mount Lolmalasin, Ndutu, Nasera Rock, Gol Mountains, Olkarien Gorge, Olduvai Gorge, Endorro waterfalls and Elephant Caves in the northern highlands forest reserve of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The average short walk basically takes less than four hours, while the long walk takes more than four hours along with other multi-days walks. All the walking activities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area must be accompanied by an armed ranger with prior booking and arrangement.

Archaeological Tours

Archaeology in the Ngorongoro Conservation area is well-justified. Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, there are tremendous opportunities provided by numerous archaeological sites visited for the purposes of learning, researching, or solely for leisure in the NCA.  

The site comprises the world’s best archaeological locations with prehistoric remains, preserved materials and some interesting information that are worthy of researching, learning, and exploring more about.

The Archaeological sites in the Ngorongoro Conservation Are include the World’s famous Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli Footprints, Engaresero Footprints (hosting traces of the ancient hominid), Mumba Caves and Engaruka.

olduvai tabaka

Cultural Tours

A cultural tour in Ngorongoro Conservation Area is yet another iconic activity you don’t want to miss. It provides room to learn and experience the lifestyle of the most famous and ancient ethnic groups; Hadzabe Datoga and the Maasai. The most prominent being the Maasai people who migrated southeast from the Nile area in the 18th century.

The Datoga are pastoralists. The Hadzabe Tribe are an indigenous ethnic group residing near Lake Eyasi. They are hunter-gatherers with a population of less than 1000 and famously known for their absolutely unique lifestyle compared to any other ethnic group in the area.

You can visit the designated Maasai Bomas of the Ngorongoro, where you will learn about a culture that stands out, take photos, and purchase souvenirs.

Guided Nature Walks

Take the time out and go on a nature walk in NCA. This fascinating tour is uniquely designed to allow tourists and other visitors to learn, focus their attention, and take in the details of everything around them; it is the most peaceful and reflective experience type of tour.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a large geographical area endowed with numerous tourism attractions, most of which offer guided tours on a daily basis, all year long. This type of tour is provided by the NCAA through qualified and well-trained guides and rangers who are available to serve you whenever you visit the Conservation Area. A tourist can easily pick their own area of interest and activities they would like to engage in. Whether it’s a private-solo tour or a group tour, we promise to provide balanced information for each individual group member.

NCAA offers this type of tour because it is a safe and dependable way to learn about many new places in the area. Nature walking trails, archaeological and paleontological sites, official Cultural Bomas, hiking and mountain climbing are all part of guided tours and each include multiple interpretations, narrations, and discussions. 

Botanical Tours

Botany, in particular, has long been linked to environmental conservation and education. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is distinguished by hundreds of flora species with colorful blooming flowers and leaves.

 This collection contains unique and typical catalogs that are essential for education, scientific purposes, exhibition, and tourism. It depicts important lessons and responsibilities concerning global environmental change and conservation issues, as well as the conservation struggle in managing and conserving all the plants and grass species within the area.

Bird Watching

Do you love birds? We bet you do. We gladly welcome you to Ngorongoro Conservation Area – the bird paradise. This is an ideal site for keen ornithologists hosting over 550 bird species, some of whose NCA is a permanent settlement while some are migratory.

The diversity of vegetation in the area and the topography, which includes grassland plains, lakes, marshes, and highlands provide habitats for a wide range of birdlife. The wet months see the arrival of the Eurasian migrants at the pools; white storks, yellow wagtails and swallows mingle with the local inhabitants; flamingos, stilts, saddle-billed storks, ibises, rufous and various species of duck. Lake Magadi, a salt lake on the floor of the Ngorongoro crater, is often inhabited by thousands of lesser flamingos and other water birds.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s forests are also teeming with birds, such as turaco and hornbill species. Raptors and scavengers are common on the conservation area’s plains. Watch out for distinctive grassland birds such as ostriches, kori bustards, and crowned cranes.

Photographic Safaris

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is perhaps one of the most photographer-friendly destinations in the world. From its dense woodlands, grassland plains, craters, high and low lands, pre-historic sites, and waterfalls, the Ngorongoro provides a great deal of opportunities for photographic safaris – creating lasting memories.

Photographers are advised to come with all of the essential equipment required for photography. Cameras with telescopic lenses are recommended because off-road driving is strictly prohibited. This type of safari tends to be most successful when you have control over the vehicle and where it goes. Taking photos of the indigenous community along the road is strictly prohibited. It can be done under a special permit at designated places such as community cultural Bomas.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is best visited all year long, including the rainy season.

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  • Ngorongoro Crater Safari

The ultimate guide to your next Ngorongoro Crater Safari

Get to know ngorongoro crater.

This is where vast herds of the Great Migration come to give birth in a 3-million-year-old collapsed volcano, Masai people live and fossils abound 

Ngorongoro Crater – a Unesco World Heritage site – is 600 meters deep, 20 kilometres wide and the largest unflooded, unbroken caldera in the world. It's an extraordinary ecosystem where you can find the Big Five or even, if you're lucky, the endangered black rhino on the Crater floor.When it was still active, the volcano deposited its volcanic ash on what's now the Serengeti plains towards the west, preserving many fossils in Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge, discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey. The greater Ngorongoro Conservation Area conserves the fragile Ngorongoro Crater ecosystem and serves as an important space for the animals of the Great Migration to give birth at Lake Ndutu, which borders the southern Serengeti.

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Why Ngorongoro Crater?

  • Unesco World Heritage Site
  • Great Migration calving season
  • Biggest concentration of wild mammals in the world
  • Walking safaris on the Crater rim or to Lake Natron
  • Black rhino
  • The Big Five

Where to go in Ngorongoro Crater

  • Empakaai Crater

the highlands game drive lion ngorongoro tanzania safari

The second-largest crater in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Empakaai is almost 8km in diameter and its floor is dominated by a saline crater lake and enclosed by sheer 300m high walls that rise to an elevation of 3,200m on the eastern rim. On of East Africa’s most underrated and seldom-visited scenic gems, the crater lies about 90 minutes’ drive northeast of Ngorongoro Crater via the Embulbul Depression, a grassy bowl that which dips to below 2,350m at the base of the 3,260m Mount Losirua and 3,648m Lolmalasin (the highest point in the Crater Highlands). The view from the forested crater rim is fabulous, whether you look inward to the emerald green crater lake, its shallows frequently tinged pink by thousands of flamingos, or east across the Rift Valley to the ashen slopes and smoking fumaroles of volcanic Ol Doinyo Lengai, a scene that also takes in Lake Natron and snow-capped Kilimanjaro on a clear day. Empakaai offers a welcome opportunity to break the safari regime of twice-daily game drives with a stiff steep guided hike to the crater floor. The steep but scenic descent along a tolerably well-maintained footpath takes 45-60 minutes, longer if you’re looking out for the plentiful birds that inhabit the forested crater walls, and there’s also a chance of spotting bushbuck, buffalo, blue monkey and even elephant. Good walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended.

  • Heroes Point

flamingos tanzania safari naona moru camp

Coming from the direction of Arusha, the road from Lodware Entrance Gate to the crater rim switchbacks uphill through fertile slopes swathed in Afromontane forest to Heroes Point, which is where most visitors catch their first breathtaking view to the crater floor. It is here that German conservationist and filmmaker Michael Grzimek (son of the legendary Professor Bernhard Grzimek of Serengeti Shall Not Die fame) was buried in 1959 after his tragic death in an aeroplane crash over the Serengeti at the age of 24. Look closely at the crater floor below and you should pick out a few hundred-strong herds of wildebeest, zebra and buffalo moving across the crater floor, as well as elephants on the edge of Lerai Forest or flamingos in the shallows of Lake Magadi.

  • Lake Eyasi and the Hadzabe

lake eyasi ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Bounding the southern Ngorongoro Conservation Area at the base of the Rift Valley Escarpment, remote Lake Eyasi is a shallow soda lake prone to large fluctuations in area and level depending on local rainfall. Possessed of a certain desolate beauty, the surrounding dry savannah is home to the Hadza, or Hadzabe, a tribe of nomadic hunter-gatherers that numbers fewer than 100 individuals today and speaks a similar click language to the San people of Southern Africa. The overgrown village of Mang’ola is the most important settlement in the area, and the base from which it is usually possible to visit a family of these traditional nomads, who resolutely refuse to be coerced into a more settled agricultural or pastoral lifestyle, and join them on a hunting expedition in search of baboons, dik-dik or even mice, all of which are despatched with a traditional bow and arrow.

  • Lake Natron and Ol Doinyo Lengai

lake natron flamingos ngorongoro tanzania safari

Set within the Rift Valley on the eastern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Natron is perhaps the most starkly beautiful of all the Rift Valley lakes south of Turkana. Almost 60km long but nowhere more than a metre deep, this primordial alkaline sump is renowned for its caustic and unusually viscous waters, which are enclosed by a crust of volcanic ash and salt, as well as a few isolated swamp patches fed by bubbling hot springs. There is some large wildlife in the area, but Natron’s main faunal claim to fame is as the only known breeding ground for East Africa’s 2.5 million lesser flamingos, which congregate at an inaccessible part of the lake between August and October. Natron also attracts up to 100,000 migrant waders during the European winter. The main attraction close to the Natron is Ol Doinyo Lengai, the Maasai ‘Mountain of God’, a textbook volcano that rises more than 2km above the surrounding Rift Valley floor to an altitude of 2,960m. Probably the most active volcano in East Africa, Lengai has erupted at least a dozen times in the past 150 years, experienced almost continuous low-key activity over the last past century and a half, the most dramatic in recent years being over 2007, when it emitted an ashen steamy plume that travelled almost 20km downwind. The steep ascent of Lengai, ideally undertaken overnight to avoid sun exposure on the black shadeless slopes, is a popular hike with fit and adventurous travellers, at least when the volcano is sufficiently placid. It should only be undertaken with an experienced local guide, ideally leaving shortly before midnight to reach the crater rim for sunrise.

  • Lake Ndutu and the Serengeti Plains

wildebeest migration calving season tanzania safari

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is essentially an eastern extension of the vast Serengeti-Mara ecosystem – indeed, it formed part of the original Serengeti National Park as it was gazetted in 1951 but was split off shortly afterwards to appease Maasai protests against being evicted from their traditional grazing lands. Today, the southeast of the conservation area, around Oldupai Gorge, remains an important component of this migratory ecosystem, a fact of which you will be in no doubt should you pass through the area en route to the Serengeti National Park during the rainy season (late November to early May), when large herds of wildebeest and other ungulates disperse across the short grass plains and calve en masse in February. At other times of year, the area is a good place to look for cheetah, bat-eared fox, eland and ostrich. The game viewing centrepiece of the region is Lake Ndutu, which straddles the Serengeti-Ngorongoro boundary at the epicentre of the wildebeest dispersal, when it offers truly dramatic game viewing.

  • Oldupai Gorge

serval pouncing ngorongoro tanzania safari

Two million years ago, the landscape of Ngorongoro Conservation Area looked very different to how it does today. Ngorongoro itself would have been an active volcano, taller perhaps than Kilimanjaro is now, and the seasonally parched plains at its western base were partially submerged beneath a seasonal lake that formed an important watering hole for our hominid ancestors. The fluctuating nature of this ancient lake led to a high level of stratification, one that accentuated by sporadic deposits of volcanic ash from Crater Highlands, creating ideal conditions for the fossilisation. Then, tens of thousands of years ago, fresh tectonic activity caused the land to tilt, leading to the formation of a new lake to the east and the creation of a seasonal river that cut through the former lakebed to expose layers of stratification up to 100m deep and a continuous archaeological and fossil record of life on the plains over the past two million years. Named after the Maasai word for the wild sisal that grows in the area, Oldupai Gorge is one of the richest palaeontological sites in East Africa. First excavated in 1931 by Professor Louis Leakey, it was here, in 1959, that Louis’s wife Mary Leakey unearthed a critical landmark in the history of palaeontology: the discovery of a fossilised cranium that provided the first conclusive evidence that hominid evolution stretched back over more than a million years and had been enacted on the plains of East Africa. Nicknamed ‘Nutcracker Man’ in reference to its bulky jawbone, the cranium belonged to a robust Australopithecine that had lived and died on the ancient lakeshore around 1.75 million years earlier, and while its antiquity would later be superseded by more ancient fossils unearthed in Ethiopia and Kenya, it rewrote the perceived timespan of human evolution, shot the Leakeys’ work to international prominence, and led to an a series of exciting new discoveries, including the first fossilised remains of Homo habilis. At nearby Laetoli, in 1976, four years after Louis’s death, Mary Leakey discovered footprints created more than three million years ago by a party of early hominids that had walked through a bed of freshly deposited volcanic ash – still the most ancient hominid footprints ever found.

oh5 nutcracker man ngorongoro tanzania safari

Today, the original diggings can be explored with a guide, but the main attraction is an excellent site museum that lies a short distance off the main track connecting Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park. Displays include replicas of some of the more interesting hominid fossils unearthed at the site as well as the Laetoli footprints, along with genuine fossils of a menagerie of extinct oddities: a short-necked giraffe, a giant swine, an aquatic elephant and a bizarre antelope with long de-curved horns. Outside the museum, look out for colourful dry-country birds such as red-and-yellow barbet and purple grenadier.

  • Olmoti Crater

travel buckhead hike ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Another dramatic relic of the volcanic activity that shaped the Crater Highlands over the past ten million years, Olmoti – a Maasai name meaning Cooking Pot – is a sunken caldera whose rim is reached along a 30-minute footpath from the ranger post at Nainokanoka. Covered in grass and bisected by a river valley, this shallow crater doesn’t quite match Ngorongoro or Empakaai for scenery, but it is very pretty, and it offers good grazing to the local Maasai cattle and various antelope. Look out for pairs of augur buzzard cartwheeling high in the sky, and the cliff-loving Verreaux’s eagle. From the main viewpoint, a short footpath leads to the seasonal Munge Waterfall, where the eponymous river cascades out of the crater.

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When is the best month to travel to ngorongoro crater.

  • Ngorongoro in January

kusini camp serengeti tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater has a temperate climate characterised by rather chilly nights throughout the year but January is one of the warmest months, with an average daily maximum of 23°C and average minimum of 10°C. January generally marks the end of the so-called short rains, so it shouldn’t be all that wet, but the landscape retains a lush green appearance and the air tends to be crisp and clear. Ample resident mammal populations in the crater are further boosted by migrant herds of wildebeest as they disperse into the south of the Serengeti-Ngorongoro ecosystem, and the month also offers top notch bird watching thanks to the presence of large numbers of Palaearctic migrants and the tendency for many resident birds to display colourful breeding plumages during the rains.

  • Ngorongoro in February

hyena wildlife ngorongoro crater

As with January, February is one of the warmest months in this temperate destination, with an average daily maximum of 23°C, but night time temperatures typically drop around 10°C on the crater rim, so be prepared for cool evenings. February is the main cusp month between the so-called short rains and long rains, so rainfall is relatively low (the monthly average is 55m) but the landscape is lush and green. February is also the main calving season for the million-plus wildebeest that congregate in Serengeti-Ngorongoro border area at this time of year, and event that is not only spectacular in itself but that also tends to attract high concentrations of large predators (lion, spotted hyena and cheetah). Birdwatching is excellent to the presence of large numbers of Palaearctic migrants. For those combining a safari with a Kilimanjaro climb, February is one of the best times to tackle the great mountain. The one drawback of visiting in February is that this combination of positive factors attracts a high influx of tourists and corresponding volume of safari vehicles in the crater floor.

  • Ngorongoro in March

zebra pair ngorongoro

March is a relatively warm month in Ngorongoro, and one of the wettest. The average daily maximum is 22°C, night time temperatures on the crater rim typically drop to around 10°C, and the average annual rainfall is 135mm, though this tends to fall mostly in stormy bursts rather than long bouts of drizzle. The crater floor is lovely and green at this time of year, and there is plenty of wildlife around, not only on the carter floor itself, but also in the more westerly Serengeti border area, where the wildebeest migration is still concentrated in the immediate aftermath of the main calving season. For birders, most of the Palaearctic migrants are present, and many resident species are sporting colourful breeding plumages. Tourist volumes tend be slightly down from February, partly because the calving is over, partly because the monsoon season usually hits Zanzibar – the region’s most popular beach destination – in late March.

  • Ngorongoro in April

tarangire national park

April is the wettest month in most parts of Tanzania, and Ngorongoro is no exception, with the crater rim receiving an average monthly rainfall of 220mm. This has no direct effect on wildlife viewing – on the contrary, wildlife populations within the crater are very high in April – but it does mean that a significant proportion of game drives are likely to be partly rained. Taking other parts of the country into account, April is also the peak of the monsoon season on Zanzibar and the coast, and the worst possible month for Kilimanjaro climbs. On a brighter note, at least for those who’ve no intention of climbing Kilimanjaro or exploring the coast, this weight of negative factors mean that tourist numbers on Tanzania’s northern safari circuit tend to bottom out in April, which makes it an excellent time to experience Ngorongoro and the Serengeti at their least crowded.

  • Ngorongoro in May

serengeti tanzania safari landscape green

The long rains that peak in April usually continue into early to mid-May, but overall it tends to be a lot dryer that the two months that preceded it. Wildlife viewing is usually excellent, and the scenery is lovely and green, though the wildebeest that amass in the west of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area usually start to head northwest and deeper into the Serengeti at some point before the start of June. That said, for those whose visit to Tanzania is all about the northern safari circuit, May is a pretty good choice, as it tends to be very uncrowded, many hotels and lodges offer discounted rates.

  • Ngorongoro in June

hyena ngorongoro crater wildlife tanzania safari

June is arguably the optimum month to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The long rains should be over, but the scenery will still be green and lush, and the safari circuit remains relatively uncrowded, as peak tourist season only starts to kick in towards the end of the month or into July. Looking further afield, it is also a good month for Zanzibar beach holidays and Kilimanjaro climbs, and for catching the Serengeti migration as it moves northwest towards the Grumeti River. There are no real negatives other than that the crater rim will be pretty chilly (average daily maximum 19°C and nightly minimum 8°C) and the avian variety is relatively low.

  • Ngorongoro in July

migration kenya

July is a good month to visit Ngorongoro Crater. The long rains will be a distant memory, but the crater shouldn’t have dried out completely, and wildlife is prolific as ever. Further afield, July is also a good month for Zanzibar beach holidays and Kilimanjaro climbs, as well as for optimistic travellers hoping to catch the dramatic Grumeti river crossing as the Serengeti wildebeest march northward through the Western Corridor. Those hoping for an uncrowded safari should be aware that July usually marks the start of the high season in northern Tanzania. Together with June, it is the chilliest month on the crater rim (average daily maximum 19°C and nightly minimum 8°C) but this shouldn’t be a deterrent – just bring plenty of warm clothing.

  • Ngorongoro in August

zebra wildlife ngorongoro crater

August is one of the driest months in Ngorongoro Crater, and with the long rains having ended two to three months ago, the landscape will be looking parched, yellow and dusty. This makes it easier to see predators on the open plains, so it is great for wildlife spotting, but the hazy skies and starker scenery tends to be less rewarding than wetter time of year for photography. It is also peak safari season, with the wildebeest migration now dispersed along the Mara river in the northern Serengeti and plenty of wildlife activity in Tarangire National Park, whilst also being popular for Zanzibar beach holidays, so things tend to be quite crowded. August is the one of the chilliest months on the crater rim (average daily maximum 20°C and nightly minimum 8°C) so bring plenty of warm clothing.

  • Ngorongoro in September

rhino and calf ngorongoro crater

The dry season that started in May or June should continue into August, leaving parts of the crater floor looking like a dust bowl and the remaining grassland all parched and yellow. The low vegetation is great for spotting animals, with predators being at their most conspicuous, and wildlife tends to congregate close to the few remaining sources of drinking water. This is peak safari season in northern Tanzania – as is the case in August, the wildebeest migration will be concentrated around the Mara river in the northern Serengeti and there’s plenty of wildlife activity in Tarangire National Park – as well as popular for Zanzibar beach holidays, so things tend to be quite crowded. The crater rim is quite chilly in September (average daily maximum 21°C and nightly minimum 8°C) so bring plenty of warm clothing.

  • Ngorongoro in October

giraffe wildlife ngorongoro crater

October is a month of transition in Ngorongoro Crater. The start of the month is the height of the long dry season, and much of the crater floor resembles a barren dust bowl of fine volcanic soil, while what grass remains will be low and yellowing, making it easy to spot larger predators, while grazers tend to congregate close to the few remaining sources of drinking water. The first of the short rains usually fall towards the end of October, providing welcome alleviation to the dryness, but unlikely impact negatively on tourist activities. October is peak safari season in northern Tanzania, with the wildebeest migration usually concentrated in the northern Serengeti at the start of the month but starting to travel south once the rains arrive. For those including nearby Tarangire National Park on their activity, wildlife numbers here generally peak in October. Ngorongoro tends to be quite crowded during this time. The crater rim is warms up a bit in October (average daily maximum 22°C and nightly minimum 9°C) so you should still bring plenty of warm clothing.

  • Ngorongoro in November

zebra ngorongoro crater wildlife

Ngorongoro Crater tends to be relatively warm and wet in November, with an average daily maximum temperature of 22°C, a nightly minimum of 10°C, and around 110mm of rainfall. These short rains are usually not so heavy as to have a negative impact on tourism, and they create an spring-like aura of regeneration to the landscape following the long dry season. Wildlife is plentiful, with the migrating herds of wildebeest and zebra pouring into the Serengeti-Ngorongoro border area after spending the dry season further north, and many animals start breeding at this time of year. For birders, the first of the Palaearctic migrants usually arrive in November. Further afield, November isn’t the greatest month for a beach holiday on Zanzibar or for climbing Kilimanjaro, so Ngorongoro tends to be less crowded than average.

  • Ngorongoro in December

weather tanzania safari

The short rains that started in October continue into December, which is actually the third wettest month in Ngorongoro, receiving an average annual rainfall of 135mm. It is also relatively warm, with average daily temperatures ranging from a minimum of 10°C to a maximum of 22°C. Coming after the long dry season, the rain tends to feel rejuvenated, lending a fresh spring-like feel to the crater and initiating plenty of breeding activity among mammals and birds alike. Wildlife is plentiful, with the migrating herds now concentrated in the Serengeti-Ngorongoro border area, and the influx of Palaearctic migrants is delightful for birders.

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Faqs about ngorongoro crater.

  • This magnificent Ngorongoro crater is over 600 meters (2000 feet) deep, with high walls towering around the crater edge and a massive area of 259 km2.
  • With Ngorongoro wildlife remaining in the steep-walled crater all year, the question of when to go on a Ngorongoro Crater safari is more about how many other people and vehicles you want to share the crater with.
  • High visitor numbers can be expected during the dry peak season of July to September, as well as the December to February calving season that follows the November rains.
  • With this in mind, the main rainy season of April to May is often regarded as the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater because there are far fewer visitors and the crater is lush and green in comparison to the dusty dry-season landscape.
  • The Ngorongoro Crater is a massive caldera formed over 2.5 million years ago when a volcano the size of Mount Kilimanjaro erupted and then collapsed on itself.

Our Recommended Activities in Ngorongoro Crater

  • Maasai Visits

maasai people-tanzania-safari

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the last places in Africa where large herds of wildlife still roam alongside people. The people in question are the pastoralist Maasai, staunch traditionalists renowned for their ongoing adherence to a cattle-herding lifestyle and distinctive attire of toga-like red blankets, ochre-dyed hair and beaded jewellery. Several Maasai ‘cultural villages’ scattered in and around Ngorongoro Conservation Area now cater to tourists, and while these manyattas admittedly offer a slightly contrived the experience, all are longstanding Maasai settlements whose inhabitants live a largely traditional lifestyle – and the opportunity to meet, interact with and photograph these proud and charismatic people (whose traditional respect for the local wildlife is the main reason why so much of it still survives in Maasailand) is not to be missed.

See Ngorongoro Crater in Your Comfort

  • Affordable Safari in the Ngorongoro

tree climbing lion tanzania safari

Affordability is a relative thing when it comes to Ngorongoro and the other parks along the northern Tanzania safari circuit. All the parks are serviced by mid-range lodges but these tend to charge rack rates that would be considered upmarket in most other contexts. With Ngorongoro specifically, a good way to keep things affordable is to stay in or around Karatu – although it is less atmospheric than sleeping on the crater rim. Rooms in terms of quality are probably 50% cheaper outside the conservation area, and there are even a few genuine mid-range options that offer simple but comfortable accommodation at wallet-friendly rates. Accommodation and meals aside, most costs associated with an Ngorongoro or northern Tanzania safari (for instance, fuel, driver and conservation fees) are pretty much the same irrespective of whether it is labelled a budget, mid-range or upmarket safari, but the ‘per person’ cost of a safari will decrease significantly if these are split between a group of four or five like-minded friends or family rather than a solo traveller or couple.

  • Budget Ngorongoro Safari

weaver birds ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

The Ngorongoro Crater cannot be considered a budget destination. The conservation authority charges a high daily entrance fee and crater service fee and access is only realistic in a sturdy and well-maintained 4×4 with an experienced local driver, and accommodation on the crater rim and in nearby Karati is all pretty pricey. The best way to keep down costs is to camp, either at the official campsite on the crater rim (stunning location, but expensive, with limited amenities, and very cold at night) or at one of several equipped but less attractive private sites close to Karati. It will also cut the price significantly if you join or try to put together a group of four of five like-minded travellers, so that transport-associated costs can be split between several people, bearing in mind that most itineraries would also take in a couple of other safari destinations, for instance Serengeti, Tarangire and/or Lake Manyara National Park.

  • Luxury Safari in Ngorongoro

wildlife ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Northern Tanzania boasts some of the most luxurious, exclusive and expensive lodges anywhere on the African safari circuit. Typically, these offer packages inclusive of world-class cuisine, house wines and beer, and game drives with guides who boast a higher level of expertise and far greater local knowledge than the average jobbing safari driver. These all-inclusive lodges also tend to cater to a clientele willing to pay more to fly between lodges rather than to drive along the long, bumpy, spine-jarring roads characteristic of the region. It should be noted that exclusivity and luxury are not always synonymous in northern Tanzania: some of the region’s most prestigious camps and lodges are truly world class in every respect, but others are semi-permanent or mobile tented camps whose main selling point is their remote, down-to-earth and exclusive atmosphere rather than five-star amenities.

Who is Travelling to Ngorongoro Crater with you?

  • Family Safari in the Ngorongoro

family safari ngorongoro crater bush walk

Ngorongoro and the other reserves that comprise Tanzania’s northern safari circuit are well suited to family and small group safaris. Cost-wise, since almost all safaris are undertaken in 4x4s with pop-up tops, the optimum group size is four or five individuals, though larger groups can always be split between two or more vehicles. It is generally a good idea for groups to be reasonably compatible in terms of previous safari experience and special interests – repeat safari goers often have different priorities than first-timers, while passionate birdwatchers or photographers are likely to get up the noses of less dedicated fellow passengers. For this reason, unless your budget absolutely dictates it, we would recommend against joining a group safari with strangers.

  • Honeymoon Safari in the Ngorongoro

ngorongoro crater camp honeymoon safari

Bespoke safaris are the name of the game in Tanzania, and probably half of the open-topped 4x4s you see in Ngorongoro and elsewhere on the northern safari circuit are occupied by one couple. In many respects, the best way to explore the area is with a like-minded partner rather than a larger group with more divergent interests and temperaments. It is also a more spacious arrangement than cramming four or more passengers into one vehicle. For honeymooners, the Ngorongoro Crater rim must one of the most romantic and memorable settings imaginable. While long dusty game drives on a chilly highland morning watching lions devour gazelles or elephants depositing their heavyweight stools on the roadside might not be everyone’s cup of romance, the crater rim does boast a couple of lodges whose honeymoon facilities live up to the superb setting. A popular option with honeymooners to Tanzania is a few days on safari taking in Ngorongoro and the greater Serengeti area, or even a sojourn into Kenya if you have the time and budget.

  • Solo Travel to the Ngorongoro

sanctuary ngorongoro crater camp tanzania safari

Very few people visit Ngorongoro solo. The main reason for this is presumably because a solo safari in northern Tanzania works out to be so much more expensive per person than it does for a couple or a small group. That said, if cost is not an obstacle, there is absolutely no reason why you couldn’t do a solo safari to Ngorongoro and elsewhere in Tanzania. Those actively seeking company along the way might do best to fly between the sort of exclusive lodges that offer all-inclusive packages, shared game drives and a common dining experience. Those that prefer their own company might prefer to book a bespoke road safari with their own driver/guide throughout. Special interest groups for which a solo safari might be preferable to joining a group safari are photographers and birdwatchers who want to pursue their passion without having to compromise to allow for the requirements of more generalist safari goers.

What You Need To Know

  • Welcome to the Ngorongoro Crater

ngorongoro crater rhino wildlife tanzania safari

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the largest unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera in the world. It is a scenic showstopper that extends across an astonishing 260 square kilometres. The crater is hemmed in on all sides by sheer craggy walls that rise up to 600m above the floor. The view from the lushly forested rim is utterly stupendous and would justify a visit to Ngorongoro in its own right. But this spectacular crater also stands as one of Africa’s most alluring safari destinations, supporting solid populations of all of the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, black rhino and buffalo), plus a host of other iconic large mammals, in a lush and scenic landscape that frequently draws comparisons to the metaphorical “Garden of Eden”. Extending eastward from its border with the Serengeti National Park, the 8,292-square-kilometre Ngorongoro Conservation Area forms part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, and its western plains lie along a migration route followed annually by some 2,5 million wildebeest and other ungulates. The eastern part of the conservation area comprises the Crater Highlands, a geologically spectacular region of volcanic peaks and craters formed by the same tectonic forces that created the Great Rift Valley below. Most of the crater highlands stand above the 2,000m contour, and while the loftiest peak, Lolmalasin, only ranks third among Tanzania’s mountains (after Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru), there is no higher summit in any of the dozen African countries that lie to its south.

ndutu safari lodge birds lake

Ngorongoro Conservation Area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It is one of only 38 such sites worldwide to be listed on mixed natural and cultural criteria. In addition to its staggering volcanic scenery and profuse wildlife, the conservation area contains many archaeological sites of great international importance. Most notable among these is Oldupai Gorge, where Richard and Mary Leakey discovered the game-changing , 1,75 million-year-old fossil jawbone nicknamed Nutcracker Man in 1959. Nearby, the three-million-year-old Laetoli footprints are the most ancient hominid tracks ever found. Another striking feature of Ngorongoro Conservation Area is that among African game reserves of comparable stature, it still supports significant human communities, comprised mainly of traditionalist Maasai and Datoga pastoralists and Hadza hunter-gatherers, all of whom co-exist reasonably harmoniously alongside the prodigious wildlife.

  • Wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater

hyena in the serengeti tanzania safari

The game viewing centre piece of Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the grassy floor that stands at an altitude of 1,800m. T he crater is dominated by a cover of open savannah that looks lush and green during the rainy season but is altogether dustier and more windswept during drier months. Important micro habitats within the crater floor include the fever-tree forest at Lerai, the shallow saline Lake Magadi, the lush reed-fringed Gorigor Swamp, and a permanent hippo pool fed by Ngoitokitok Springs. The open grasslands of the crater floor is home to immense concentrations of grazing antelops all year through, with numbers peaking between December and May, the main rainy season. Most common are blue wildebeest and Burchell’s zebra, resident populations of which are estimated at 10,000 and 5,000 respectively. Wildebeest and zebra are commonly seen together and/or in the company of other grazers such as the diminutive Thomson’s gazelle, the larger and longer-horned Grant’s gazelle, and the rather doleful looking topi and Coke’s hartebeest). Other less numerous antelopes include the handsome Defassa waterbuck (which differs from the common waterbuck in having a redder tinge to the coat and a full white rump), the secretive bushbuck, and the massive eland, all of which are most commonly seen in the vicinity of Lerai Forest or swampy areas.

The crater floor supports significant populations of all the Big Five. Most commonly the African buffalo, large herds of which are often seen marching across the crater floor in search of grazing or water. Least likely to be seen is the leopard, which is resident on the crater floor, but only in small numbers due to a lack of suitable habitat, and tends to be retiring and secretive. Ngorongoro Crater serves as something of a retirement ground for old elephant bulls, many of which sport outsized tusks to dimensions now seldom seen in parts of Africa that have suffered from commercial poaching in recent decades. Lerai Forest and the nearby Gorigor Swamp are the favoured haunt of these mighty male tuskers, up to 70 of which are resident at any given time. Oddly, no elephant breeding herds are resident on the crater, though females and family herds do pass through from time to time.

elephant group ngorongoro tanzania safari

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in East Africa to look for the black rhino, an endangered species with a very restricted presence in Tanzania. Between 1964 and 1992, the crater’s resident population of these cumbersome beasts decreased from an estimated 100 individuals to no more than 10 as a result of poaching. Since then, the local rhino population and the diversity of the gene pool has been boosted by the introduction of several individuals from South Africa, though the authorities are reluctant to publicise actual numbers. All the crater’s rhinos have been fitted with a tracking device in their horns, in order to monitor their movements and to discourage poachers. They tend to range between the Lerai Forest and Lake Magadi, browsing in the latter by night and then moving into more open terrain by day. Their unusually pale coloration is attributable to a predilection for bathing in saline Lake Magadi and rolling in the fringing salt flats. The floor of Ngorongoro Crater reputedly supports Africa’s densest concentration of lions, with up to 100 individuals present in suitable conditions. That said, lion numbers do fluctuate somewhat, due to a combination of disease (the closed nature of the crater makes its inhabitants particularly vulnerable to epidemics), emigration from and immigration to the surrounding highlands, and occasional pride takeovers that often result in the new dominant male killing all unrelated cubs and adolescents. It would be unusual to spend a day in the crater and not see any lions, which are generally very relaxed around vehicles, though they might be encountered just about anywhere so it is difficult to predict where you might find them.

lion pride entamanu ngorongoro tanzania safari

Other predators are well represented too. Most populous is the spotted hyena, which is Africa’s second largest carnivore after the lion, and tends to be less dependent on scavenging than is popularly assumed. An estimated 400 individuals are resident in the crater, so you are unlikely to spend long there without stumbling across one. If you specifically want to seek out a hyena, head to the eastern shore of Lake Magadi, where they often rest up during the day, occasionally trying to sneak up and snack on the flamingos that flock the shallows. The open grasslands of the crater floor are the perfect cheetah habitat, and there are also plenty of small antelope for these feline speedsters to feed on, so it’s a bit surprising that none were present as recently as the 1990s. The most likely explanation for this is competition with the dense populations of lion and spotted hyenas, both of which will routinely chase a cheetah off a fresh kill. Since 2000, however, cheetahs have recolonised the crater floor and they are now quite commonly seen stalking through the plains in search of gazelle.

cheetah pair wildlfie ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Other common predators are the golden jackal, black-backed jackal and bat-eared fox, with the former being most likely to be encountered due to its relatively diurnal habits. By contrast, giraffe and impala, both common on the surrounding plains, are totally absent from the crater floor. In the case of the giraffe, this is possibly attributable to a lack of suitable browsing fodder, or to the difficulty of descending the steep crater walls, but the absence of impala is a mystery. ### Birds A high proportion of the 550-plus bird species recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area inhabit the crater floor. For casual visitors, a highlight is the large flocks of lesser and greater flamingo that aggregate in Lake Magadi, tinting its margins pink from a distance. Common grassland specialists include ostrich (the world’s largest bird), Kori bustard (the world’s heaviest flying bird, known for its spectacular mating dance) and a host of smaller ground birds including the exquisite rosy-throated longclaw, the babbler-like rufous-tailed weaver (a species endemic to the Tanzanian interior) and various larks, wheatears and pipits. Moist grassland often supports flocks of the lovely grey crowned crane and (in the rainy season) huge flocks of migrant white, black and Adbim’s storks. Lerai forest is the place to seek out striking woodland specialists such as Hildebrandt’s starling, green wood hoopoe and Fischer’s lovebird.

rosy tailed longclaw ngorongoro crater tanzania safari african bird club

Raptors are abundant. The most conspicuous species is the handsome augur buzzard, sometimes seen here in its unusual melanistic form, but always distinguishable by its reddish tail. The crater floor is ideal habitat for the secretary bird, an anomalous long-legged terrestrial hunter that stands up to 1.5m tall and feeds mainly on snakes, which it stamps to death in a bizarre flailing dance. The most interesting of seven vultures recorded in the crater is the Egyptian vulture, a localised species whose who know to crack open ostrich eggs by holding a stone in its beak, making it the only avian tool-user. Finally, on the subject of scavenging birds, watch out for the black kites that haunt the picnic site at Ngoitokitok Springs, swooping down on unprepared tourists to snatch the food from their hands! The Afromontane forest that swathes the crater rim supports a very different flora and fauna to the crater floor. Mammals are thinly distributed, but the forest does support a dense population of elusive leopards, plenty of blue monkeys and bushbuck, as well as the secretive bushpig and the localised tree hyrax (which is more difficult to see than the rock hyrax, but reveals its presence with an far-carrying eerie nocturnal call that sounds like it comes from a much larger creature). Colourful forest birds often seen in lodge gardens on the crater rim include bar-tailed trogon, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, baglafecht weaver, tacazze sunbird, malachite sunbird, golden-winged sunbird and Schalow’s turaco.

gibbs farm ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Elsewhere the crater highlands support a cover of open Afromontane grasslands where low volumes of grazers such as buffalo and zebra coexist with domestic cattle owned by the red-robed Maasai who still pursue their traditional pastoral lifestyle in the area. Game is rather more prolific in the relatively low-lying short-grass plains that stretch west from the base of the Crater Highlands to the Serengeti border. Indeed, this Serengeti-Ngorongoro border region is the main focal point of the annual Serengeti migration of more than two million wildebeest and other ungulates during the rainy season (typically from late November to early May) and it is also where the wildebeest calving takes place over February.

  • Ngorongoro Travel Tips

lion wildlife ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Ngorongoro Conservation Area can only realistically be explored in a solid 4×4. The 150km road from the northern Tanzanian ‘safari capital’ Arusha to Lodware Entrance Gate, the only access point along the eastern border, is now surfaced in its entirety, and can be covered in less than three hours. All roads within the conservation are unsurfaced, however, and most – including the bumpy descent and ascent tracks to the crater and corrugated strip of fine compacted ash running west to Serengeti National Park – are pretty rough going. Tanzania’s safari industry is not really geared towards a self-drive approach, and the roads are unsuited to large coach tours, which means that almost all visitors to Ngorongoro either join a bespoke or small-group safari with a local driver-guide, or fly from Arusha to a camp offering a package inclusive of game drives. In theory, Ngorongoro Crater could be visited on a standalone one or two-night safari out of Arusha, but in practice it usually forms part of a longer (5-14 day) safari taking in some or all of the other highlights of the northern Tanzania safari circuit i.e. Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park and Arusha National Park. – A day trip to Ngorongoro Crater is worth planning carefully. Vehicles are forbidden from entering the crater before 07h00, and they must leave before 18h00, and a hefty ‘crater service fee’ is payable every time a vehicle enter the crater. This combination of rulings has forged a situation where most safaris breakfast at their lodge before going on a game drive and carry a picnic lunch. Far preferable, however, to take a packed breakfast and lunch, allowing you to get down into the crater as early as possible, partly because early morning offers the best photographic light, but also because the place is at its most magical before the tourist hordes descend, with the main procession usually starting the descent from 08h00 onwards.

credit the highlands ngorongoro tanzania safari 4x4 drive

The conservation authority forbids tourists from staying overnight within Ngorongoro Crater. But several tourist lodges and tented camps are perched on the lofty crater rim, offering fine views over the floor and its teeming wildlife, and there is also a campsite. Plenty of accommodation is also available in and around the town of Karatu, which straddles the main surfaced road from Arusha about 15 minutes’ drive from Lodware Entrance Gate. The lodges on the crater rim are preferable in terms of views and for placing you as close as possible to the heart of the action, but accommodation in and around Karatu tends to offer better value for money. Either way, the elevated altitude of the crater rim and Karatu largely negate their near-equatorial location and nights can be decidedly chilly, so bring plenty of warm clothing to wear in the evening and early morning game drives.

  • Weather in Ngorongoro

sunset ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Although Ngorongoro and the Crater Highlands stand in the heart of the tropics less than 200km south of the equator, the high elevation (mostly above 2,000m) means the climate is surprisingly cool, seldom rising above 25°C by day and more often than not dropping to below 10°C by night. It tends to be sunny by day, but cloudy weather is far from unusual and the gap in altitude between the crater floor and rim usually results in a significant build-up of mist in the early mornings. Ngorongoro’s tropical location means there is relatively little seasonal variation in average minimum and maximum temperatures, though the period from October to March tends to be a few degrees warmer than the closest months of May to August. Rainfall is far more seasonal, since it is largely associated with the moist trade winds that blow inland from the Indian Ocean over November to May. More than 80 percent of the annual precipitation of 1,000mm falls over these months, with December. March and especially April being the wettest months. By contrast, rainfall over June to September stands at less than 20mm per month. Despite this, it is fine to visit Ngorongoro at any time of year and there are several more compelling factors in deciding your timing than climate. Because the crater can get quite crowded with safari vehicles during peak seasons, those seeking a relatively untrammeled atmosphere might consider aiming for April and May, which are the quietest months for tourism, not only both in Ngorongoro but in all the other reserves along the northern Tanzania safari circuit.

lion stalking zebra ngorongoro crater tanzania safari

Since Ngorongoro is usually just a one- or two-night stop on a more extended holiday in Tanzania, the timing of a visit should also allow for seasonal factors at other sites on the itinerary. Those continuing on to the Serengeti might opt to time their safari to try to catch the wildebeest calving season in the south (February) or the peak period for river crossings in the north (August and September), while beach lovers on a safari-and-sand package would almost certainly want to avoid peak monsoon season on Zanzibar and the coast (April and May) and hikers tackling Kilimanjaro should aim to climb during one of its dry seasons (January to March or June to October).

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Everything You Need to Know to Visit Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide

LAST UPDATED: 1/31/24 – Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide

Without any doubt, the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited.   In my opinion, a Ngorongoro Crater safari is the best wildlife travel experience you can have anywhere in the world.

Nowhere else can you find such an abundance of wildlife, all within a relatively small location, to view all year round.  Beyond the sheer beauty of the crater itself, that is what makes the Ngorongoro Crater so special.  More than anywhere else, you are almost guaranteed to see the wildlife you come to see when you visit Ngorongoro.

Ngorongoro Crater

Unlike Anywhere Else in Africa

Unlike other wildlife regions across Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is unique because there is water present inside the crater year-round.  This means that the grazing animals that are found inside the crater are mostly resident, and do not migrate.  Because there are grazing animals that stay year-round, there are also predators inside Ngorongoro year-round.

In fact, the crater is such a unique and providing environment that many of the region’s bull elephants spend the majority of the year there. They only migrate out of the crater to mate, then return. Some of the biggest elephants we saw while in Tanzania we saw while on our Ngorongoro Crater Safari.

Ngorongoro Crater

An All-You-Need Safari Ngorongoro Crater Guide

In this guide, I give you all the information you need to plan a Ngorongoro Crater Safari. I discuss the best times to visit this beautiful place and what you should bring along. You can expect to learn which animals you are likely to see, and which tours I recommend you use.

If you are wondering what time of year to plan your visit, I cover that as well. Not only that, but I explain what fees you need to pay for your visit and give you some safari tips. Most importantly, I outline the important things you need to do before you even leave.

Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide Navigation Menu

Tanzania entrance requirements.

Ngorongoro Crater

Before you can even start to think about your Ngorongoro Crater safari, you need to make sure that you can meet the Tanzania entrance requirements.

If you don’t meet the requirements, you will not be allowed entry into the country. This will put a huge damper on your safari plans. To assist you in ensuring you meet the requirements, I have outlined the passport and VISA requirements for you to review.

Tanzania Passport Requirements

One of the most important Tanzania entrance requirements you need to consider when planning your trip is Tanzania’s passport requirements.

According to the US State Department website , your passport needs to be valid for at least 6-months after your date of arrival. So, if your passport is set to expire within 6-months of your arrival date, you will need to renew your passport before you travel to Tanzania.

Tanzania VISA Requirements

You will also need to purchase a VISA to be allowed into Tanzania. This VISA can either be purchased ahead of time via as an e-VISA or be purchased upon arrival at your port of entry. The cost of a 90-day VISA for Tanzania for a US Citizen is USD 100. For a summary of the Tanzania passport and VISA requirements, please refer to the table below.

Tanzania Travel Immunizations

Travel Medical Records

Important Note: I am not a medical doctor and do not have any medical experience. The information provided in this section is a summary of information that I got from the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States for travel to Tanzania . I am providing you this information to help bring awareness of the necessary vaccinations to you. However, consultation with my guide should not replace a discussion about your travels with your doctor or a travel medical clinic.

Before you leave for your trip to Tanzania to go on your Ngorongoro Crater safari, you need to make sure you have all of the proper vaccinations.  Not only to protect yourself but to protect others.  In fact, depending on where you are visiting from and whether you are making any stops before visiting Tanzania, you might not even be allowed in the country without the proper vaccinations.

Travel Vaccination Advice

You may have questions on what immunizations you will need and what to look out for when you go to get them. In this case, I have included some general guidelines from my experiences below.

  • Most specialized travel clinics will not accept insurance, so you will have to pay for your travel consultation and immunizations and then request reimbursement from your insurance company later.
  • Some immunizations aren’t accepted by every insurance company, so check with your insurance provider before getting your immunizations.
  • Check with your regular doctor first, as often they can do a travel consultation for you and write you the necessary prescriptions for your immunizations, even if they aren’t able to give them to you.  This way you can ensure that at least your travel consultation will be covered by your insurance up-front.
  • Check with  Walgreens  or other drug stores that give flu shots to see if they have any of the immunization shots that you require before going to a specialized clinic that doesn’t accept insurance to get them.  Walgreens can give you many of the immunizations necessary for international travel, and they accept insurance up-front.
  • The  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website   can be a great resource for answering any travel immunization questions that you have.

Tanzania Vaccination Recommendations

You will need to consult with your doctor or a travel clinic on recommended vaccinations before you leave. I have compiled a list below of some of what you might expect your physician to recommend.

  • Antimalarial  (Aralen, Qualaquin, Plaquenil, Mefloquine, or Doxycycline).
  • Typhoid  (either a shot, which is good for 2 years, or a live virus pill, which is good for 4 years).
  • Yellow Fever  (be aware that some countries require a yellow fever vaccination if you are traveling from another country that is high risk, even if your stay in that other country was short).
  • Hepatitis A & B  (if you haven’t had them).
  • Tetanus  (if you aren’t current).
  • Rabies  (if you are going to be working in close contact with animals).
  • Dukoral  (gives you 3-month protection against travel diarrhea).

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements

Depending on which country you are arriving from, you may need to have a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter the country.  If you are traveling to Tanzania from another country in Africa, please use the  US Centers of Disease Control (CDC) website  to determine if you will be required to have proof of the Yellow Fever vaccination to enter.

What to Bring to Your Ngorongoro Safari

Safari Packing

If you are going on safari for the first time, you might not know what to bring with you. To help prepare for your Ngorongoro Crater safari, I have developed several guides that you should review.

What to Expect When Visiting Africa for the First Time

First, my article on the “20 Tips for Those Visiting Africa for the First Time” will help get you prepared. The article outlines what you can expect when you visit Africa for the first time. It outlines what you should and should not do while visiting. It also gives you some tips on what to expect during your first visit to Africa.

Then, as you prepare for your trip, you will want to review my “Essential Safari Packing List”. This guide will ensure that you have all the gear you need for your safari. It also outlines what you should not bring with you.

Finally, my last article covers taking pictures while on safari. My “Tips for Photography on African Safaris” guide will help you take the best possible photos of your epic adventure. Not only does it include photography gear I recommend, but it also covers my recommended camera settings.

Getting to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is part of the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area. It sits just south of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.  Located due east of the major city of Arusha, and just south of the Kenyan border, the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area is in the heart of wildlife territory in Eastern Africa.

Tanzania Parks Map

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In addition to being located just South of the Ndutu Plains of the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area is also located close to several other national parks and wildlife areas in Tanzania and Kenya. 

Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, the Maswa Game Reserve, Arusha National Park, and Kilimanjaro National Park are all close enough to work into one safari adventure trip. 

In addition, the Masaai Mara in Kenya is located just north of the Serengeti National Park, which means that it can also easily be incorporated into a safari trip to the area.

Ngorongoro Crater Area Map

There are two main gates by which to enter and leave the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area.  There is the Naabi Hill Gate, which is located just below the Ndutu Plains to the North. Then there is the Lodware Gate, which is located just West of Lake Manyara National Park in the South. 

If you are coming to Ngorongoro from the Serengeti, you will use the Naabi Hill Gate.  On the other hand, if you are coming from Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, or one of the parks near Arusha, you will use the Lodware Gate.

Recommended Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tours

Ngorongoro Crater

We used Tanzania Choice Safaris for our safari, and we absolutely loved them. We have relatives who lived in the country and had used them on multiple occasions and had a lot of really great things to say about them.

They were very courteous, well-organized, and extremely knowledgeable about the parks and the wildlife. We would absolutely recommend them to anyone considering a safari in any of the national parks in Tanzania. If you are looking for a safari tour for the Ngorongoro Crater, here are some good ones I can recommend:

My Top Recommendation

Best time to visit the ngorongoro crater.

Ngorongoro Crater

One of the most incredible things about the Ngorongoro Crater is that there really isn’t a bad time to visit. Even during the wet season, which typically runs between March and May, the crater still delivers as a safari destination.

When you visit will ultimately depend on what you want to see. Are you coming to see baby animals? Is seeing the great wildebeest migration at the top of your list? These are the things you need to consider when deciding when to visit the Ngorongoro Crater for a safari.

Average Temperature (℉)

Thanks to the mid-temperate climate, the average temperatures inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are fairly consistent throughout the year. The Ngorongoro Crater is at a higher elevation, so you can expect cooler weather when you are on safari.

Overall, it doesn’t get much warmer than the mid-70s inside the crater. This is a nice change of pace from the swelteringly hot safari days you could see elsewhere. However, it does get very cool in the mornings and at night. You will want to be sure you have a jacket with you when you visit.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

The wet season in Tanzania is between March and May. During this time, the country can get quite a bit of rain. This is especially true for March, which is the height of the rainy season.  Most of the roads in the conservation area and the crater are made of dirt and gravel. As you can imagine, the roads can get quite sloppy when it rains quite a bit.

Though it can be quite wet between March and May, visiting during this time isn’t all bad. This is the offseason for safaris in Tanzania, so there are fewer crowds to deal with. This means fewer safari vehicles parked around the animals and obstructing your view.

In addition, the baby animals are typically born in February, so you will have a chance to see plenty of baby animals at this time. If you are willing to roll the dice with the weather, planning a trip during this time can have big rewards.

Best Months to Visit

If you are planning a Ngorongoro Crater safari, there really isn’t a horrible time of year to visit. However, depending on what you want to see, some months are better than others. For more information on what to expect in the crater throughout the year, please refer to the information I provided below.

June thru October

  • There is typically a lot of sun and very little rain.
  • Because the weather isn’t as wet, malaria-carrying mosquitoes are less prevalent.
  • You will want to dress warmly as the mornings can be cold at this time of year.

November through May

  • It is typically the least crowded in April and May, which is the park’s low season.
  • Bird watching is best as the migratory birds are visiting the park at this time.
  • There may be a lot of mud on the roads because of heavy rains.
  • March is the height of the rainy season.
  • December through March is the Great Wildebeest Migration. This matters more if you will also be touring the Serengeti National Park.

Where to Stay Near Ngorongoro Crater

Rhino Lodge Ngorongoro Crater

There are several very nice lodges inside and just outside the Ngorongoro National Conservation area to stay at, and I have highlighted the most popular options for you below. 

When we went on our Ngorongoro Crater Safari, we stayed at the Rhino Lodge, which is located just outside the rim of the crater.  This allowed us to get up bright and early and have plenty of time to see the wildlife inside the park. 

Really, you can’t go wrong with any of these options as they are all very nice, but if you have an option, I suggest choosing one of the lodges just outside the rim.

Ngorongoro Crater Map

Ngorongoro Crater Park Fees

Ngorongoro Crater

Important:   Make sure you read the section below carefully. You need to understand how long your permit for the Ngorongoro Crater is good for.  I have heard stories about people who had their trips ruined because they did not properly understand the rules.

If you are interested in knowing what the fees for visiting the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area are, refer to the Tanzania Parks website for the current fees .  Keep in mind, that once you enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, your permit is good for 24 hours.  Because of this, I would make sure you plan your time inside the conservation area wisely.

For instance, if you arrive in the Ngorongoro National Conservation Area at 2pm and then check into your lodge expecting to have a full day of wildlife viewing inside the crater the next day, you will be surprised to find that your permit is only good until 2pm that next day.  You can stay longer than 2pm, but you will need to pay for an additional full-day permit.  So, make sure you maximize the time that you have.

If you are taking a guided Ngorongoro Crater Safari, your safari guide is well-versed in the rules and regulations, and they are very good at working out the logistics to make sure you have ample time inside the crater.  Just make sure you listen to their instructions as they know what they are doing.  This may mean you need to leave a different park earlier than you would have thought, but there is likely a good reason for that.  It’s likely to maximize the time spent on safari in other parks.

Wildlife You Might See in the Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is such a special area. Few other areas in Africa, if any, offer such a large variety of animals in such a small space.  While leopards can be more difficult to spot inside the crater, they are elusive animals and are difficult to spot pretty much everywhere you go. 

The Big Five of Africa are in the Crater

The other animals in the “Big Five” of Africa (elephants, lions, rhinoceros, and cape buffalo) are pretty hard to miss.  It is absolutely crazy how much wildlife you see when you descend into the crater on your Ngorongoro Crater Safari.

In addition to the Big Five, other animals you can expect to see in the park while on your Ngorongoro Crater Safari include spotted hyenas, zebras, and wildebeest, which are very abundant in the park. 

It is not unheard of to see giraffes inside the crater, but you are most likely to see them just outside the rim of the crater, which is where we spotted them when we visited. 

However, you do stand a relatively good chance of seeing cheetahs, hippos, Thomson’s gazelles, waterbucks, warthogs, ostrich, jackals, and a variety of other small animals in the park.

Ngorongoro Crater

Large Bull Elephants are Common in the Crater

As I mentioned previously, the bull elephants in the area tend to spend a great deal of their time in the Ngorongoro Crater, which means that you also have a great chance to see some very large and impressive elephants when you go on your Ngorongoro Crater Safari. 

We spotted the big guy above feeding on the hills near the rim of the crater.  You are going to want to make sure you bring binoculars and long lenses with you when you visit, as these guys don’t typically hang out near the roads inside the crater.  I cover this and some other helpful tips in the Safari Tips section below.

Ngorongoro Crater

More than anything else, the best tip I can give you is to just have fun.  A Ngorongoro Crater Safari should be a trip of a lifetime, and you should enjoy every single second of this adventure.  Don’t get caught up on the little things that might go wrong.  Before you know it you will be back at home and left with just the memories and pictures of your adventure.  Make those memories great ones!

Lake Magadi

Lake Magadi

One of the most notable landmarks within the Ngorongoro Crater is Lake Magadi, which is a permanent, year-round lake that supplies water to the animals of the crater.  There are no crocodiles in the Ngorongoro Crater, but there are plenty of hippos.  Lake Magadi is one of the crater hippo’s favorite spots to hang out and avoid the sun.

Ngorongoro Crater

There is also a picnic site near Lake Magadi, which makes it a popular lunchtime stopping point for most safari tours inside the crater as well.  When you are out of your vehicle near the picnic site, make sure you always listen to your safari guide and keep safety at the top of your mind.

Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tips

Ngorongoro Crater

When you are on safari, especially while on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari where animals seem to be everywhere around you, it is easy to get lost in the experience.  Being on safari is such an amazing experience and you should enjoy every single second of it.  However, if you aren’t careful, you might not get everything out of the experience that you could have.

To make sure that you get everything out of your Ngorongoro Crater Safari that you possibly can, I have provided some general safari tips below for you to review.

Be Patient and Open Minded

When you are on safari, everything isn’t going to go according to plan.  The weather, the animal’s behavior, and other factors are going to impact where you go and what you see.

Safety First

It is really easy to get caught up in the safari experience and want to get the best pictures you possibly can.  However, safety should always be the primary concern.  To give you some help in how to remain safe while on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, I have outlined some general safety tips for you to review later in this guide.

Don’t Get Stuck Behind Your Camera

Everyone wants to get great pictures while on safari, and you should absolutely bring your camera and take a lot of pictures.  However, if you spend your entire time in the Ngorongoro Crater looking through your camera, you are going to miss out on some of the experience.  I would recommend setting your camera down every once in a while and just enjoy being in such an amazing place.

Ask Lots of Questions

Make sure you ask your guide a lot of questions while you are in the Ngorongoro Crater.  It is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to ask which type of animal you are looking at or why they are doing what they are doing, but your safari guide is there to answer these questions for you.  And believe me, they enjoy answering these questions.  Don’t get home and regret not asking those questions.

Be Conscious of Time

You are going to see some amazing things while you are on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater.  However, as I mentioned before, the time that your daily permit is good for is limited. 

Don’t get too caught up in one place within the crater for too long as you might regret not having time to do other things later.  By no means am I suggesting that you should rush through the crater, but you might not want to linger watching one thing for hours upon hours either.

Safari Safety Tips

Ngorongoro Crater

Being on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari can be an amazing and exciting experience, but it can also be a very dangerous experience if you don’t follow the proper safety rules.  To ensure that your safari experience is a memorable and safe one, I have outlined some general safari safety rules for you to review below.

Obey Your Safari Guide at All Times

The most important safari safety tip of all is to listen to your safari guide and obey them at all times.  They are there to keep you safe, so let them.

Don’t Stick Anything out of the Safari Vehicle

It is never a good idea to stick to anything outside of a safari vehicle.  Whether this be your arms, your feet, or your camera as you try to get a great picture, keep them inside the vehicle at all times.

Don’t Make Frantic Movements

When you are in the safari vehicle, the animals tend to think of the vehicle, and everything associated with it as one homogeneous entity.  However, if you make sudden and frantic movements, or do something else to make you stick out as apart from the vehicle, you may become an object of interest to them.

Never Get Out of the Vehicle

This point cannot be stressed strongly enough. Never, and I mean never, get out of your safari vehicle unless your safari guide explicitly instructs that it is safe.

Never Leave Your Tent or Lodge at Night

This is another point that I cannot emphasize strongly enough.  You should never leave your tent or lodge room at night without a chaperone.  The African bush can be a dangerous place, especially at night, so make sure you follow whichever procedures your safari guide gives you for getting assistance at night.  If they don’t mention this, make sure you ask ahead of time.

Walk, Never Run

If you do find yourself outside of your vehicle and confronted by an animal (hopefully this never happens), then make sure that you stay as calm as possible, walk away slowly (never turning your back on the animal), and NEVER, EVER run away.

Be Careful Around Lakes and Rivers

Unless you are explicitly told by your safari guide that the waters are free of hippos and crocodiles, you should never attempt to swim in a lake, river, or pond.  Even then, I would think twice about doing it.  Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal, and crocodiles are not far behind on the list, so you always have to be safe when even approaching bodies of water.

On Safari in the Ngorongoro Crater

Being on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  If you would like to get a sense of what it is like, we put together a short video of our safari experience in Ngorongoro for you below.  Come along with us as we explore this amazing place!

Ngorongoro Crater Safari Photo Gallery

The Ngorongoro is both beautiful and special.  With both beautiful landscapes and amazing wildlife surrounding you, it is a wildlife photographer’s dream.  Below is a gallery of just some of the images we were able to capture while on our Ngorongoro Crater Safari.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram . Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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Published by Josh Hewitt

Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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4 comments ›.

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Thanks a bunch for this. I am too old now to go to Ngorongoro but I had my fun seeing wildlife in Africa ‘while on the job’ for the World Bank, like driving almost into a hippo crossing the small airport road at night near Bujumbura, seeing elephants in the Wild Life corner of Central African Republic, Congo Braza and Cameroon, or having to visit the CAR rainforest. In Zimbabwe, I nearly missed a huge elephant who had elected to use an asphalted road as its pathway. And I visited some parks in Tanzania and Kenya as well. Most striking were the crocodiles (caimans they called them) in the groove around Houphouët’s palace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivire, not exactly a zoo, but still wild as they devoured a gardener once who fed them. johnschwartzauthor.com/blog

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You are very welcome!! Sounds like you have had some absolutely amazing adventures! That is what is so wonderful about travel!

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So true!!!! Such an underrated wildlife destination for sure!!! It is on my list of places to visit!

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it’s actually disappointing how most of the subsaharan region or East African countries mentioned & not see Uganda any where…readers,…

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></center></p><p>Check Availability</p><h2>Lodge Overview</h2><p>Is located in the south of the ngorongoro conservation area, approx 50km south-west of karatu town. the lodge is composed of 10 comfortable luxury tents to accommodate 2guest each, as well as large dining and reception area. where is the ngorongoro conservation area the ngorongoro conservation area spans vast expanses of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodlands, and forests..</p><p>Established in 1959 as a multiple land use area, with wildlife coexisting with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists practicing traditional livestock grazing, it includes the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest caldera. The property has global importance for biodiversity conservation due to the presence of globally threatened species, the density of wildlife inhabiting the area, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and other animals into the northern plains. Extensive archaeological research has also yielded a long sequence of evidence of human evolution and human-environment dynamics, including early hominid footprints dating back 3.6 million years.</p><p>Highlights; • Unique birdlife • All the members of ‘The Big Five’ • Wildlife and wilderness talks nightly • Maasai dance and cultural displays • Action-packed game drives and safari programme • A ringside seat at the annual Ngorongoro migration of the wildebeest and Zebras</p><h2>Accommodation</h2><p>($Billed  Per Nights)</p><p>Double Room</p><p>Single Room</p><p>Our guests benefit from the total sum of the whole tour that includes best pricing for the level of tour services, excellent communication with your dedicated safari expert, knowledgeable/experienced planning services, tour customizations, jig-saw fit flexibility for travel in Africa, top-notch guided safari experience and more importantly superlative customer care and service during and after your safari, tour and travels in Tanzania.</p><h2>Dining and Bar Activities</h2><ul><li>Multi Cuisine Restaurant</li><li>African Theme Bar</li><li>Special dietary request catered for (e.g. Vegetarian, Kosher, Gluten. free) with advance notification</li><li>Sundowner Cocktails</li><li>Bush breakfast at a private site</li><li>Bush Barbecue lunch and Dinner</li></ul><h2>Transportation to/from Lodge</h2><p>140kms (2 – 3 hours’ drive).</p><p>from Arusha on a dry weather road through Makuyuni, Mtowambu & Karatu Area.</p><p>from Arusha Airport to Lake Manyara Airstrip.</p><h2>Manyara Airstrip is 10Kms from the Camp,</h2><p>‘Meet and greet’ and transfer services can be provided (Please advise arrival time in advance).</p><p>Talk/Chat with our Representative</p><h2>Clients Reviews</h2><p><center><img style=

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Safari destinations: karatu, ngorongoro conservation area.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is characterized by a highland plateau with volcanic mountains and craters, vast savannah, and forest. It is one of the top safari destinations in Africa.

Since the whole zone is classified as a “conservation area”, and not a national park, wildlife, humans and livestock cohabit together. Ground cultivation is prohibited, but the Maasai are allowed to bring their cattle down on the crater floor for water sources and minerals.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the world’s largest intact caldera. This three million year old caldera is considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

The crater (19 km wide, its rim rising from 365 to 490 m, total superficy of 265 km²) is the largest unflooded, intact caldera in the world. Due to its immensity and singular beauty, as well as abundance and concentration of wildlife, it constitutes for many the Garden of Eden.

An estimated 25 000 large mammals are resident in this bowl of plenty, including lion, buffalo, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, and elephant. Leopard are most often encountered in the bountiful Lerai Forest, while cheetah move in and out of the crater.  It is also the home of the most endangered black rhino.

  Best time to visit: all year round

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AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge

Renowned as a UNESCO world heritage site and protected wilderness area, Ngorongoro Crater is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the famous Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo) and for this reason is a popular choice amongst safari enthusiasts. A safari in the Serengeti or reserves in northern Tanzania is not complete without a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater.

Encompassing volcanic craters and fertile grazing grounds, Ngorongoro affords incredible game viewing all year round. Renowned for its big game and plentiful predators, game drives in this region are exciting and offer great photo opportunities. Experiences to be had in the Ngorongoro Crater include big five game drives on the crater floor, bird watching, interactions with people from the Maasai tribe, and visits to Olduvai Gorge.

There is a selection of lodges that nestle on the rim of the crater, offering phenomenal views, gorgeous sunsets, and convenient access to the crater floor. A short distance away from the crater is Karatu which offers fewer crowds, smaller and more intimate lodges and additional activities such as walking and mountain biking.

Due to the fact that the Ngorongoro wildlife remains within the confines of the steep-walled crater throughout the year, your decision as to when to visit is not likely to revolve around maximising your game viewing experience. What is likely to influence your decision, however, are the highs and lows of the tourist seasons as the crater floor can become rather crowded with visitors at certain times of the year.

Visitor numbers tend to be at their highest during the dry season from around June to September as this is generally considered to be the best period for wildlife watching. The game usually gathers around rivers and water holes during the dry season and the vegetation is at its thinnest, making the animals much easier to spot. The dry season’s days tend to be warm and sunny but early mornings and evenings can get cold, so be sure to pack plenty of warm clothing.

Visitors numbers then typically decrease significantly during the rainy season which begins around the end of October and continues until the end of May. Tourist rates are generally reduced during this time and the landscape becomes beautifully lush and green. The higher water levels in the Ngorongoro Crater’s Lake Magadi also result in higher concentrations of both resident and migratory water birds including large numbers of flamingo for which the area is known. Aside from the months of March, April and May, when the rains are at their heaviest, the rains are usually short afternoon showers and are unlikely to affect your safari experience. Note that travellers who are eager to experience the wonders of the calving season, should plan their trip during the wet season, particularly during the months of December, January and February.  

Forming part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Tanzania . This pristine expanse of wilderness is comprised of a large area of short-grass plains on the southern border of the Serengeti National Park as well as the exquisite Ngorongoro Highlands region, featuring a range of dramatic ancient volcanoes on the western side of the Great Rift Valley.

The area’s star attraction is undoubtedly the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest inactive, intact volcanic caldera, which forms a unique 300 square kilometre natural enclosure for around 30, 000 wild animals. The crater is renowned for containing the highest density of big game in Africa including all of the ‘ Big Five ’ as well as cheetah, serval cat, jackal, hyena, Grant's and Thompson's gazelle, and over 400 species of bird. In addition to its astonishing array of wildlife, the crater features the wonderfully scenic Lake Magadi; the Lerai Forest, considered one of the best places in Africa for leopard sightings; and the lovely Ngoitokitok Spring area, inhabited by countless hippos, elephants, and lions.  

Other popular attractions within the greater Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area include the smaller Empakaai Crater, known for its exceptionally large flocks of flamingos, and the spectacular Olduvai Gorge. This steep-sided, 50-kilometre-long ravine is one of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites boasting a fascinating museum displaying replicas of some of the hominid and animal fossils unearthed at the site.

Must see: The magnificent Ngorongoro Crater containing: an impressive abundance of resident wildlife, an acacia forest crawling with leopards, a beautiful lake teeming with waterbirds, and the Ngoitokitok Spring area, inhabited by countless hippos, elephants, and lions.

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Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania- Wildlife Safaris in Tanzania

Welcome to Visit ngorongoro crater in Tanzania , the official & authentic guide offering information about the fees and how to get there , what to see, guides.

The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is the largest unfilled inactive volcanic crater, or caldera, in the world. However, it’s not entirely empty as a wildlife spectacle unfolds in this dramatic setting. At the base of 610m cliff faces elephants trumpet, lions roar, and antelope…eat grass. The crater is arguably the best place in Tanzania to see the big five. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most mesmerizing natural features in the world.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area and a World Heritage Site covers an area of 8,288 square kilometers and is located 180 km west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania, Ngorongoro lies just 60 kms NW of Lake Manyara, 190 km W of Arusha and 145 km SE of The Serengeti. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area. This caldera is 18km wide and 1km deep, making it the largest in the world.

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most famous sites and has one of the highest densities of wildlife in Africa. The Crater has achieved world renown, attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors each year.  You are unlikely to escape other vehicles here more so in the peak season, but you are guaranteed great wildlife viewing in a beautiful environment.

You now understand what all the hype is about, that Ngorongoro is ground zero for a millions-year-old volcano that blasted off like a rocket, was supplanted by a huge caldera and stuffed with more lions and rhinos and wildebeest than you could ever possibly imagine. You’re in.

But before you drop into the Ngorongoro Crater, here are ten essential factoids you should know. Cram these in your noggin before arriving and your awe for this place will quadruple, promise.

The crater floor consists of a number of different habitats that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat a central soda lake filled by the Munge River.  The entrance to the conservation area is a thick forest made up of a mixture of Strangler Fig, Red Thorn Acacias and Rub Vines and shrubs which attract a variety of bird species. The crater floor is commonly known for its soda lake, Lake Magadi.

All these various environments attract wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb.  Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil, lush forests and spring source lakes on the crater floor (combined with fairly steep crater sides) tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain throughout the year. The conservation area is a habitat to about 30,000 large mammals, some of which include; Lion, Leopard, zebras, elephants, Buffalo and various antelope species. Primates like; Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys and Bushbabies. Olduvai is famed for its fossil finds – about 150 species of prehistoric mammals including the Leakey’s discovery of 400 fragments of a skull. Discovery here began by accident back in 1911. Olduvai gains its name from the Masai word for the wild sisal that is prolific here.

The high numbers of herbivores supports the densest populations of predators found anywhere in Africa. The reliable presence of these predators has helped to make an Ngorongoro safari so popular. The Crater’s lion population varies significantly over time, the one constant being their complete disregard of vehicles; they will hunt within yards of a vehicle, and when exhausted even seek shade beside them. Spotted hyenas are even more common here, often competing with the lion, and there’s are a small but growing number of cheetah. Leopards are around, especially in the vicinity of the Lerai Forest. Side-striped and the lovely golden jackal are often seen skulking around, whilst bat-eared foxes are a rarer sight.

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  2. 3 Days Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Safari

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  4. A Safari Guide to the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania

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  5. What to Expect on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari: Ultimate Guide

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  6. Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari

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COMMENTS

  1. Log in

    Tour operators should effect their payments prior to safari date, not at NCAA entrance gates. Password expires every 90 days. You are advised to change it periodically. For enquiries and assistance reach us through [email protected]. You can also call through +255 734 160 014 / +255 734 160 015.

  2. Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA)

    The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) is a well-established wildlife management entity under the Tanzanian government, dedicated to managing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (also known as NCA) and conserving its stately-natural splendor while striving to make it the world's top tourism destination - Your best option for a future holiday is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

  3. Sp-v2

    SP-V2 is the latest version of the Safari Portal, a system that allows tour operators and visitors to book and pay for their entry to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tanzania. SP-V2 offers improved features, such as vehicle registration verification, e-payment integration, and licence validation. To access SP-V2, you need to register and log in with your ...

  4. Information

    There is much variation in the weather within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, mainly because of the difference in altitude. Temperatures vary from 3oc to 35oc. Normally, temperatures are always lower along the rim of the craters than on the crater floor and usually the night time temperatures are cold. The coldest months are from June to August.

  5. Help Desk

    THE NGORONGORO LENGAI UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK Geopark; Location; Geo-Routes; Community; X. LIVE STREAM. Help Desk. Get in Touch. Help Desk Telephone: +255734160014/15 Email: [email protected] Safari Portal Telephone: +255769046450 Email: [email protected] Emergency Services Telephone: WhatsApp: NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY ...

  6. What to Expect on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari: Ultimate Guide

    The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is the largest unfilled inactive volcanic crater, or caldera, in the world. However, it's not entirely empty as a wildlife spectacle unfolds in this dramatic setting. At the base of 610m cliff faces elephants trumpet, lions roar, and antelope…eat grass. The crater is arguably the best place in Tanzania to ...

  7. Ngorongoro Tanzania Safaris

    Ngorongoro. The NCA is a year-round destination, though birders may want to visit when the migratory birds are in the area and photographers, around the rains, when the landscape tends to be more photogenic. The NCA has a mild, temperate climate. Due to the altitude, it's possible for night-time temperatures to drop below freezing.

  8. PDF NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY USER GUIDE FOR ...

    For any support related to Safari Portal System, please contact us through email [email protected] or mobile numbers 0787111848, 0767 837832, 0763291179 ISSUED BY: Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority Postal Address: P.O. Box 1, Ngorongoro, Arusha, Tanzania Hotline: +255 27 2537019 Fax Nō: +255 27 2537007 Email Address: [email protected]

  9. PDF Introduction

    ii. Suspended customers will not be able to access Safari Portal and the reactivation of the suspended customer will require a valid TTLB licence. iii. Suspended customers with valid entry permits will be required to renew their TTLB licences before consuming their permits. Issued by, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority 15th October 2021

  10. Ngorongoro Crater

    And all this is in the most amazing setting with a backdrop of the 600m-/1,968ft-high crater wall. View Photos (24) Open Map. Best Time To Go June to October (Wildlife viewing is best) High Season Most of the year - July to March (Expect crowds) Size 260km² / 100mi². Altitude 1,027-3,522m / 3,369-11,555ft.

  11. Where the world began: Ngorongoro, Tanzania

    THE BEST CAMPS IN NGORONGORO Entamanu. Nomad Tanzania, the ace safari enterprise, owns and operates some of the best camps and lodges in the country, from Sand Rivers deep in the Selous Game Reserve to Greystoke Mahale on a white-sand beach on Lake Tanganyika. And now there's Entamanu, a wonderfully intimate camp of just six tents, which opened ...

  12. Ngorongoro Conservation Area: The Complete Guide

    Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Located in Tanzania 's northern Crater Highlands, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the Serengeti ecosystem and one of the country's most famous safari destinations. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it covers 8,292 square kilometres of magnificent grass plains, acacia woodlands and ...

  13. Experience the Ngorongoro

    The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of Tanzania's must-see places. The crater itself is the world's largest inactive volcanic caldera, formed 2 to 3 million years ago. Today it has around 25,000 large animals living in the 30,000-hectare crater, including lion, black rhino, elephant, and giraffe - making for a great safari.

  14. Ngorongoro Crater Safari Tours & Holidays

    Ngorongoro safari tours offer your best chance in Tanzania of spotting all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and black rhino) in one game drive. The crater is also notable for the spectacularly scenic combination of the verdant plains of the lake-studded crater floor and imposing 600m-/1,968ft-high cliffs that enclose it on all sides.

  15. PDF Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority

    A Guideline on the above changes will be available on Safari Portal home page and will also be shared via your email accounts. For any inquiry, please contact our helpdesk at [email protected] or +255 734 160 014 / +255 734 160 015. Thank you for your continued cooperation. Issued by Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority

  16. Ngorongoro Crater In Tanzania

    The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected 8,292 km² area and a World Heritage Site, located in the Eastern (Great) Rift Valley, northern Tanzania. It lies 150 km west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera, measuring between 10 and 12 miles (16 and 19 km).

  17. Tourism Activities

    A walking safari in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with nature in a more intimate and personal way. You not only walk through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area's natural areas, which have spectacular landscapes, wildlife, and people, but you also synchronize with your surroundings and become one ...

  18. Ngorongoro Crater Safari

    Get to Know Ngorongoro Crater. This is where vast herds of the Great Migration come to give birth in a 3-million-year-old collapsed volcano, Masai people live and fossils abound. Ngorongoro Crater - a Unesco World Heritage site - is 600 meters deep, 20 kilometres wide and the largest unflooded, unbroken caldera in the world.

  19. Everything You Need to Know to Visit Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide

    LAST UPDATED: 1/31/24 - Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide. Without any doubt, the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. In my opinion, a Ngorongoro Crater safari is the best wildlife travel experience you can have anywhere in the world.

  20. Ngorongoro Safari Lodge

    The Lodge is composed of 10 comfortable luxury tents to accommodate 2guest each, as well as large dining and reception area. Where is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area? The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodlands, and forests. Established in 1959 as a multiple land use area, with wildlife ...

  21. Nature Discovery Safari Destinations: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

    The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is characterized by a highland plateau with volcanic mountains and craters, vast savannah, and forest. It is one of the top safari destinations in Africa. Since the whole zone is classified as a "conservation area", and not a national park, wildlife, humans and livestock ...

  22. Ngorongoro Crater Safaris

    10 Day Bush and Beach Safari. A professional driver/guide. 2 nights at Mount Meru Hotel in Arusha. 1 night at Eileen's Trees Inn in Karatu. 2 nights at Serengeti Kati Kati Camp. 1 night at Rhino Lodge Ngorongoro Crater. View safari to see all inclusions.. $ 500 USD. Per person per night.

  23. Ngorongoro Crater

    The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area and a World Heritage Site covers an area of 8,288 square kilometers and is located 180 km west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania, Ngorongoro lies just 60 kms NW of Lake Manyara, 190 km W of Arusha and 145 km SE of The Serengeti. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater, a ...