Ngorongoro Crater, Africa’s largest caldera, is located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site and protected wilderness. 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. Renowned for its abundant wildlife, the game drives are thrilling and provide incredible opportunities for photographers. Experiences in the Ngorongoro Crater include Big Five game drives on the crater floor, bird watching, cultural interactions with the Maasai tribe, and visits to Olduvai Gorge.
Several lodges are nestled along the crater's edge, offering phenomenal views, stunning sunsets, and convenient access to the crater floor. A short distance from the crater, Karatu offers fewer crowds, smaller and more intimate lodges, and additional activities such as walking and mountain biking.
Since Ngorongoro’s wildlife remains within the steep-walled crater year-round, planning your visit around maximizing game viewing opportunities isn’t crucial. However, it’s important to consider the tourist season, as the crater floor can become crowded at certain times.
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. If you wish to experience the unique calving season, plan your trip between December and February
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Tanzania, continues to be a remarkable wilderness regions. 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, the Africa's largest inactive, intact volcanic caldera. The crater is home to the ‘Big Five’ as well as cheetah, serval cat, jackal, hyena, Grant's and Thompson'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 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.
Sep 16, 2024
First time to Cape Town
We are a group of ten friends traveling together to Cape Town for the first time. Safari.com was our top choice for travel agents. Leché and Tracy were incredibly helpful and prompt with our questions and bookings. The trip to Sanbona Wildlife Reserve was fantastic, and everything went off without a hitch. We highly recommend Safari.com for your safari plans!
Sep 15, 2024
Very responsive
Very responsive, I sent an email and got a response almost immediately (I checked it’s like 11pm their time…on a Sunday)
Sep 15, 2024
Shann was amazingly helpful
Shann was amazingly helpful! After spending several days online on our own trying to find good accommodation or even available rooms and lodges, we reached out to safari and to shann, who set us up in record time with a beautiful destination, flights and transfers. I absolutely recommend this dite and the incredible service
Sep 15, 2024
Safari booking
Fadiel was very prompt in responding to my emails. Despite a double booking for our Safari - not his fault - everything worked out well in the end.
Sep 14, 2024
Sara Van Coillie
Sara Van Coillie, representing Safari.com, has gone above and beyond in assisting with a custom booking for an African safari experience I wanted arranged for my colleagues visiting Namibia for the first time. I highly recommend reaching out to her—she’s a true champion! It’s been a pleasure working with her.
Sep 14, 2024
Had such an amazing experience working…
Had such an amazing experience working with Leigh-Ann. She was able to get me everything I wanted at the price I wanted. Could not recommend more.
Sep 13, 2024
Sara curated a trip of a lifetime
Sara curated a trip of a lifetime. Met all our requirements and exceeded our expectations all within our budget!
Sep 13, 2024
South Africa Here We Come!!!
We had the inclination to take Rovos Rail through part of South Africa and found Safari.com online. Nicole Van der Merwe, the friendly agent who connected with us was amazing! We connected on WhatsApp and were handled with absolute care. Nicole answered our questions in detail and within one day, were were booked on the train in the Royal Suite! We look forward to completing the additional details of our fabulous train/safari trip with her! As we have never been to SA, Nicole and Safari.com took away ALL of the concerns we had about making our trip a reality. to tell you the truth, it has been a long time since we have been treated this way by such a wonderful travel firm. Safari.com makes makes traveling to SA simple! We look forward to having them assist us with the additional details.
Sep 13, 2024
Jayson is polite and knowledgeable…Highly recommend
Jayson was a polite and knowledgeable person. He was never 'pushy' and gave us a lot of options. He was very understanding when we had to 'delay' our plans due to an aging mother-in-laws health and wellbeing. We have every intention of pursuing our dream of visiting Africa in the 2025/26 season and we will certainly be in-touch with Jayson. Many thanks to Jayson