Ngorongoro Crater
a collapsed volcano with a whole ecosystem living on its floor
About Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is the shell of a volcano that collapsed in on itself some two to three million years ago, leaving one of the largest unbroken calderas in the world. Its walls drop about 600 metres from a misty, forested rim to a floor of grassland, swamp and soda lake. It lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where Maasai herders still graze their cattle alongside the wildlife.
Descend at first light and the crater floor feels like a sealed world. Lions sleep in the open, hyenas trot between buffalo herds, and a small population of black rhinos makes this one of Tanzania's best places to see them. Old bull elephants with heavy tusks wander the Lerai fever-tree forest, hippos wallow at the Ngoitokitok springs, and flamingos gather on Lake Magadi when the water suits them. Beyond the rim, Olduvai Gorge tells the story of our earliest ancestors.
The crater rewards a visit in any month, but June to October is dry and clear, and in January and February the plains to the west around Ndutu fill with calving wildebeest. The rim sits above 2,000 metres, so pack a warm layer for early mornings. It is a few hours' drive from Arusha via Karatu, between Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti on Tanzania's northern circuit. A Tanzanian e-visa is required.
Where it is
Safaris through Ngorongoro Crater
9 days
9 Days Kenya & Tanzania Women's Safari
Women rangers, beadwork cooperatives and big cats, travelling in an all-women group
13 days
13 Days Rift Valley Lakes & Serengeti Birding Safari
A specialist-guided run from Rift Valley lakes to Tarangire's baobabs, chasing 400+ species
9 days
9 Days Maasai Mara & Lake Natron Walking Safari
Track with Maasai guides, sleep out in a fly camp and hike down into Empakaai Crater
10 days
10 Days Maasai Mara & Lake Eyasi Cultural Safari
Walk with a Maasai warrior, hunt at dawn with the Hadzabe and meet Datoga blacksmiths
13 days
13 Days Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari
See Kibo from Amboseli, climb it via Machame to Uhuru Peak, then rest your legs in the crater
11 days
11 Days Ol Pejeta, Lewa & Serengeti Rhino Safari
Track black rhino with rangers, meet the K9 unit and see conservation from the inside