Ngorongoro Crater: Africa’s Garden of Eden

Why

The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact caldera, is the crown jewel of Tanzania's northern circuit. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains one of the finest places on Earth to witness the Big Five in a single day.

It is one of the best places in Tanzania to see the famous Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), making a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater essential for any safari experience in Tanzania.

Ngorongoro offers an exceptional year-round game viewing experience. The crater is renowned for its abundant wildlife; here, game drives offer photographers unparalleled opportunities to capture predators and prey in close proximity. Experiences in the Ngorongoro Crater include Big Five game drives on the crater floor, birdwatching, cultural interactions with the Maasai tribe, and visits to Olduvai Gorge.

While lodges perched on the crater’s rim offer iconic views, the nearby town of Karatu provides a quieter, more intimate alternative with boutique stays and local walking trails.

When

Because the crater’s steep walls act as a natural enclosure, game viewing is world-class throughout the year.

Tourist activity peaks during the dry season, which runs from June to September. This period is considered the best for game viewing, as the sparse vegetation allows for better visibility around rivers and waterholes. Be sure to bring warm clothing for the chilly mornings during this season.

Tourist numbers decrease during the rainy season, from October to May, when the landscape becomes lush and green. The higher water levels in Ngorongoro Crater’s Lake Magadi attract more birdlife, including the famous flamingos. Rainfall typically occurs as brief afternoon showers, except for the heavier rains from March to May.

Where

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Tanzania, continues to be a remarkable wilderness region. The pristine expanse includes short-grass plains on the southern border of the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Highlands, featuring dramatic ancient volcanoes on the western edge of the Great Rift Valley.

The star attraction remains the Ngorongoro Crater, Africa's largest inactive, intact volcanic caldera.

The crater is home to the ‘Big Five’ as well as the following wildlife:

• cheetah,
• serval cat,
• jackal,
• hyena,
• Grant's and Thomson's gazelle,
• and over 400 species of bird.

In addition to the rich wildlife, the crater features several natural sites, including Lake Magadi; the Lerai Forest; and the picturesque Ngoitokitok Spring, a haven for hippos, elephants, and lions.

Must-see attractions within the greater Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area include the smaller Empakaai Crater, known for large flocks of flamingos, and the spectacular Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge. This steep-sided ravine is one of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites with a museum that showcases replicas of the hominid and fossil discovered there.