About Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro is a collapsed volcano whose walls rise some 600 metres above a grassland floor of roughly 260 square kilometres. Within this natural amphitheatre live thousands of large animals, and because the crater is permanent home to so many of them, wildlife viewing is rewarding in every month of the year.
A descent into the crater at first light is one of Tanzania's great experiences. Lion prides patrol the plains, hippos wallow in the central pools, flamingos gather at the soda lake, and the crater is one of the few places in northern Tanzania where you have a realistic chance of seeing the endangered black rhino.
The surrounding highlands are just as memorable. Cloud forest, cool evenings and lodges perched on the rim give Ngorongoro a completely different atmosphere to the plains, and you can arrange a respectful visit to a Maasai community whose people still graze their cattle across this landscape.
Highlights
- Full-day crater floor safari with a private vehicle and picnic lunch
- Chance to see lion, elephant, hippo, buffalo and black rhino in one day
- Lodges with sweeping views from the crater rim
- Optional cultural visit to a Maasai village
- Cool, misty highland scenery that contrasts with the plains
At a glance
- Region
- Northern Tanzania, Crater Highlands
- Crater floor
- Approx. 260 km²
- Best time
- Year-round; driest Jun – Oct
- Suggested stay
- 1 – 2 nights
- Recognition
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit Ngorongoro your way
Tell us your dates and interests and we will build a private itinerary around this destination.