Gosheni Destination
Ngorongoro Crater
Overview and Wildlife Habitat
The crater spans 260 km² (100 mi²), with its rim 610 metres (2000 ft) high. An eruption enriched the area with mineral-rich dust, fostering fertile soils. Underground rivers feed springs, bringing nutrients to the surface.
This environment supports permanent water sources, attracting animals. Their presence enriches the soil further, creating a productive grassland. Over time, swamps and forests emerged, hosting the planet’s densest concentration of large mammals.
Conservation History and Tourism
Ngorongoro Crater, named after the resonant sound of cattle bells once filling its expanse, has evolved from human habitation to a premier wildlife sanctuary. The removal of settlements enabled its transformation into a globally celebrated wildlife haven. It now stands as the core of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a World Heritage Site since 1959, lauded for its rich biodiversity and archaeological significance, including the pivotal Olduvai Gorge.
Flanked by the Serengeti and game-controlled zones, it forms a vast conservation mosaic where the Maasai people continue their traditional nomadic life, albeit without cattle grazing within the crater to protect its ecosystem. The crater, a biodiversity hotspot, shelters an estimated 25,000 large mammals.
Regulation and Access
Highlights Within Ngorongoro Crater
Picnic
There is a picnic area at the Ngoitokitok Springs where visitors can stretch and enjoy a meal.
Game Viewing
With an incredible diversity and abundance of game, visitors are all but assured of great sightings year-round.
Bird-watching
Over 500 species are represented in the overall conservation area, ranging from waterbirds to raptors.
Ngorongoro Tours
- 5 Days
- Tanzania
- 10 Days
- Tanzania
- 6 Days
- Tanzania
- 13 Days
- Tanzania
- 10 Days
- Tanzania
- Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti
Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Olduvai Gorge
The site of some of the most significant finds relating to human evolution were made at this site, with a museum and guided tours.
Maasai or Hadzabe Cultural Experience
Guided tours can be arranged to gain insight into the history and traditions of these fascinating cultures.
Hiking
Guided walks on the crater rim and the surrounding landscape of the NCA can be arranged.
Hot Air Balloon Trip
Drift quietly over the savanna – a special treat when the Great Migration is underway.
Different areas of the Ngorongoro Crater & Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Beyond the Crater
Activities
Game Drives
With half and full-day options available, visitors accompany an experienced guide to search the crater floor for the Big 5 and other wildlife species. All vehicles must exit the crater by 16h30
Cultural Visit
Gain an insight into the indigenous cultures of the area, with visits to local homesteads.
Picnic
Arrange a catered picnic at a designated site on the crater floor.
Bird-watching
Over 500 species await discovery by the avid birder visiting these parts.
Hot Air Balloon Trip
This tranquil experience offers a unique perspective of the landscape surrounding the crater.
Hiking
Numerous hiking trails criss-cross the landscape from the crater rim to nearby mountains. Note: walking trails are not permitted within Ngorongoro Crater.
Archaeological Excursions
Visit nearby archaeological sites to learn more about the evolution of humankind.
Wildlife
The Ngorongoro Crater is a prime wildlife viewing destination year-round, unaffected by the Great Migration, thanks to its ample food and water. Home to an estimated 25,000 large mammals, its flat terrain and sparse vegetation make spotting animals, especially after rains, easier. The crater boasts one of the highest densities of lions in Africa, though it faces challenges like inbreeding.
Spotted hyenas are common, while cheetahs, leopards, and African wild dogs are rarer, with leopards mostly in the Lerai Forest. Mega-herbivores such as hippos, buffalos, elephants, and black rhinos are prevalent, except giraffes. It also hosts wildebeest, zebra, warthogs, antelopes, and a rich variety of birds, making it a hub of East African wildlife diversity accessible throughout the year.
Landscape
The scenery throughout the conservation area is classic Africa. Gently rolling grasslands give way to hill country, with a few volcanoes rising high above the surroundings. Ravines are often thickly wooded, and numerous rivers snake across the landscape, their banks lined with large trees and lush floodplains.
Within the crater, surrounded by the steep caldera wall, one has the impression of being in a land that time forgot. At the foot of the slopes, forest surrenders to mixed woodland, and as the trees thin out, the flat savanna is a golden sea of grass. Around the lakes, a ring of green vegetation adds colour beneath the crisp blue sky.
Weather and Climate
Overall, the weather across the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is warm throughout the day, cooling significantly through the night, and becoming cold at times. Little rainfall is expected between June and October. From November to May, two periods of rain bring isolated showers, but it seldom rains for the whole day.
Best Time To Go
- Dry Season
- Wet Season
- Shoulder Season
During the Dry Season (June-September), short grass makes spotting the wildlife easier.
That said, during the Wet Season (November-May) the lush grass enhances the visual appeal.
Tourist numbers are high all year round, with a slight dip in numbers in April/May.
