Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Tanzania Safaris

Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the biggest volcanic caldera in the world. it’s 610 meters deep and covers 260 km small-scale version of East African scenery and wildlife. The crater is part of the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which also includes Olduvai Gorge, forests, mountains and remote highlands to the north. The crater is found in northern Tanzania and very close to the southern border of Kenya. The Ngorongoro crater was formed when a giant volcano, about the size of Mount Kilimanjaro, erupted and collapsed against its own weight 3 million years ago. Some scientists think the crater used to be about 19,000 feet tall, but others believe it might have been even taller than Kilimanjaro. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s most well-known and is famous for having one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. It’s also a great place to meet with the Maasai people. The area is home to over 30,000 large mammals and has been called a “garden of Eden” for wildlife. Long ago, a huge volcano about the size of Mount Kilimanjaro erupted and then collapsed, forming the crater we see today.

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The Crater is considered the best spot in East Africa to see the Big Five (lions, buffalos, leopards, elephants and rhinos. Other wildlife that can be spotted here includes cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs, impala, hartebeest, eland, reedbuck and Thompson gazelles, as well as different bird species like White Storks, swallows, Yellow Wagtails and more.

Amazing activities to do at Ngorongoro Crater

Game drives

Game views are undoubtedly the best way to see wildlife in the Ngorongoro Crater.  these game drives are usually done in standard tour van and takes place in two shifts:  morning and afternoon. Most of the game drives happen inside the are crater itself, where you can go down into the caldera floor and spot a lot of animals, including big 5, thanks to the crater’s natural enclosure. Another popular spot for game drive safaris in the Ngorongoro Crater is the “Ndutu area” especially during the wildebeest migration when large herds come together to give birth.

While on your game drive in Ngorongoro Crater, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of animals such as Lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, hippos, jackals, reedbuck, waterbuck, wildebeest, warthogs, hartebeests, servals, zebras, cheetahs, East African wild dogs, Grant’s gazelles, giraffes, Thomson’s gazelles and crocodiles as well as different species of birds. A safari drive in Ngorongoro Crater is a memorable experience that offers a glimpse into the incredible variety of wildlife and stunning natural scenery of this special conservation area.

Maasai village visit

Visiting a Maasai community in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a truly enriching experience. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the lively culture of the Maasai people, one of East Africa’s most well-known tribes. Recognized for their bright clothing and deep traditions, the Maasai have a unique and captivating way of life.

During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the Maasai people and learn about their customs, traditions, and daily routines. You might participate in traditional activities such as traditional dances, beadwork demonstrations, and visiting local markets will provide you with a deeper understanding of their way of life.

Additionally, these proud cattle-herding people have a great history as warriors. Although they’re no longer allowed to build villages inside the crater, they continue to herd their cattle into the area for grazing and drinking water, even with the predators nearby.

Ngorongoro Crater rim walk

Visitors to Ngorongoro Crater are not able to walk down into the crater itself, but they can take guided walks along the edge of its towering rim. These walks offer stunning views oof the wide crater below, where many animals and plants live.  During your walk, you might spot zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles, making the experience even more exciting. The refreshing mountain air and tranquil surroundings create a calm and revitalizing experience, ideal for those who love nature or photography. While exploring, you’ll get a good look at the size and shape of the crater, which was formed by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. Walking along the Ngorongoro Crater rim is a memorable experience that visitors to Tanzania won’t forget.

Hiking up the Gol Mountains

Hiking up the Gol Mountains is an exciting adventure that anyone can enjoy. Located in Serengeti National Park, these mountains provide a great chance to see wildlife and meet the local Maasai herdsmen, who have lived peacefully in this area for many generations. At the bottom of the Gol Mountains, you’ll find Nasera Rock, a popular place for birdwatching and watching groups of baboons. The region also has a rich history, as the famous Leakey family

 Explore the Empakaai Crater

Discovering the Empakaai Crater is a wonderful experience for anyone who loves nature and enjoys outdoor walks. The Empakaai Crater was formed when a volcano collapsed, creating large caldera about 6 kilomates across. Although it’s bot as well-known as other craters, it has a lot of offers. The area remains largely untouched and is full of different plants and animals. As you walk through the crater, you’ll be treated to amazing views of the bright, sparkling Empakaai Lake below. The vibrant greenery that covers the crater floor stands in sharp contrast to the steep cliffs that surround this beautiful area. Along the way, you might see various birds, blue monkeys, water bucks, bush bucks, buffaloes, elephants and hyenas that call this area home, adding a symphony of sounds to your hiking experience.

One of the best parts of visiting the Empakaai Crater is reaching the lookout point, where you can see the entire crater spread out before you. From there, you also get a great view of Mount Kilimanjaro and Ol Doinyo Lengai in the distance.

Birdwatching

The Ngorongoro crater is one of the best places for birding in Tanzania.  Birding is a popular activity during safaris in this area, where visitors enjoy exploring the scenery and observing various bird species. The crater is home to more than 500 bird species that can be seen throughout the Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari. These bird species include both migrant and native bird species that can be seen around the crater area and in its stunning highlands. Birds that can spotted in the Ngorongoro crater. While birdwatching in the Ngorongoro crater, you’ll have the opportunity to spot many stunning bird species, ostriches, Kori Bustards, Secretary Birds, and other birds. Gray-delegated Cranes, Northern Anteater Chat Capped Water, Fischer’s Sparrow Lark, Red-covered Lark, Grassland Pipit, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Greater and Lesser Flamingos Turtle-dove, Dusky Black Crake, Black-bellied Bustard, Emerald-spotted Wood-dove Abdim’s Stork, Yellow-charged Stork, White Stork, African Sacred Ibis, Superb Starling, Rufous-rested Lark African White-backed Vulture, Augur Buzzard, Long-peaked Eagle, Rufous Tailed Weaver, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Hottentot Teal, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Eastern Crested Guinea Fowl among others. Birdwatching is best done during the wet season from November to April, when the local birds and then the migrant bird species can all be seen during bird watching in the Ngorongoro crater.

Photographic Safari

If you previously gone on a game drive at the Ngorongoro crater before and enjoyed the experience, you might consider planning another safari focused mainly on capturing stunning wildlife phots. A photographic safari isn’t just about the animals, it also includes birds, lakes and savanna vegetation. Near the crater, you’ll find Maasai tribespeople who may be happy to join your photography adventure and add more local flavor to your pictures.

Enjoy Picnic Lunch

Have you ever imagined having a lovely picnic in the African wilderness with wildebeest grazing close by? The Ngorongoro Crater is the perfect place that won’t disappoint.

Hot Air Ballooning

Hot Air Ballooning is costly but very exciting way to see the large crater and the lands around it. Hot air ballooning is highly recommended especially during the migration – when the wildebeest are roaming or calving outside the crater and the nearby Serengeti. One of the best parts about hot air balloon rides is that they give visitors a unique chance to enjoy and take in the stunning views inside the crater from above.

Visit Olduvai Gorge

The Olduvai Gorge often called the “Cradle of Mankind”. It is famous site where some of the earliest human ancestors were found. It was here that Richard Leakey and his family made important discovers of ancient remains of the early 1900s. Many of these findings are over 2 million years ago. The fossils include bones of animals that once lived in the area and early humans from the stone age. Do not forget to check out the hominid footprints in Laetoli. These footprints were discovered on a volcanic rock and are over 3 million years old. There’s also a small museum nearby that shows fossils and artifacts from the excavations, giving visitors a chance to learn more about this fascinating history.

When is the best time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater

Visiting Ngorongoro Crater is excellent throughout the year. However, the dry season from December to March and also June to September offer the best wildlife experiences. During this season, the animals congregate at the few remaining waterholes hence allowing tourists to see most of them in one place. Note that, the dry season is when most tourist come to the crater. 

Best accommodation options to stay while on a Tanzania adventure safari in Ngorongoro Crater

Choosing where to stay is an important part of planning your Tanzania adventure safari in Ngorongoro Crater. There are many options to suit different budgets and preferences. If you’re looking for luxury, you might consider places like Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Gibbs Farm, Lemala Ngorongoro Lodge, Lions Paw Camp Ngorongoro, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, the Ngorongoro Farm house and the Plantation Lodge.

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