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Tanzania safari destination
Ngorongoro Crater, a world within walls
A vast volcanic caldera filled with wildlife, from black rhinos to lion prides.
Quick facts
Park at a glance
Location
Arusha Region, Tanzania
Crater floor
About 260 sq km
Ideal stay
1 to 2 nights
Best time
June to October
Crater overview
One of Africa’s natural wonders
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, its walls rising around 600 metres above a floor of grassland, swamps and a soda lake. Thousands of animals live inside this natural amphitheatre, making it one of the most rewarding single game drives in Africa.
The crater is part of the wider Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Maasai herders live alongside the wildlife, and where Olduvai Gorge reveals some of the earliest traces of human history.
- About three hours from Arusha
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Easy to pair with the Serengeti
Why go
Six reasons to descend into the crater
A safari like no other, inside an ancient volcano.
Black rhinos
One of the best places in Tanzania to see these rare animals.
Lion prides
Lions are seen on almost every crater game drive.
Spectacular scenery
Sheer crater walls and wide views in every direction.
Flamingos
Pink flocks gather on Lake Magadi on the crater floor.
Maasai culture
Visit a Maasai village in the highlands around the crater.
Olduvai Gorge
Explore one of the world’s most important early human sites nearby.
Wildlife
Who you will meet in the crater
An astonishing concentration of wildlife in one place.
Lions
Prides hunt across the open crater floor.
Black rhinos
Seen grazing in the open, a highlight for many visitors.
Elephants
Big bulls with impressive tusks wander the swamps and forest.
Hyenas
Common across the crater, often near a kill.
Flamingos
Gathering on the shallow soda lake.
Zebras and wildebeest
Large herds graze the grassland all year.
When to visit
The crater through the year
Wildlife lives in the crater all year round, so any season is rewarding.
Peak season
June to October
Dry season
Clear views and easy game spotting on the short grass.
Great time
December to March
Green season
Lush scenery, newborn animals and fewer vehicles.
Quiet season
April to May
Long rains
Quiet, green and atmospheric, with some roads slower in the wet.
Good value
November
Short rains
Fresh grass and migrant birds arriving.
Things to do
More than a game drive
Explore the crater, its rim and the highlands around it.
Crater game drive
Descend to the floor for a full day among the wildlife.
Crater rim views
Take in sweeping views from the rim at sunrise.
Maasai village visit
Learn about Maasai life in the highlands.
Lake Magadi
Look for flamingos on the crater’s soda lake.
Hippo pool picnic
Enjoy lunch near the hippos on the crater floor.
Wildlife photography
Lions, rhinos and dramatic backdrops in every frame.
Plan your visit
Getting there and staying over
The practical details, so you can focus on the crater.
By road
About three hours from Arusha, often combined with Lake Manyara, Tarangire or the Serengeti.
By air
Fly to Lake Manyara airstrip, then continue by road to the crater.
Where to stay
Lodges on the crater rim with spectacular views, or camps in the nearby highlands.
Ngorongoro safaris
Trips that include the Ngorongoro Crater
Tanzania and combined safaris that visit the crater. Every itinerary can be tailored to you.
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha
- 5 Days 4 Nights
- Arusha, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire
- 8 Days 7 Nights
- Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire, Arusha
- 7 Days 6 Nights
- Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 3 Days 2 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 9 Days 8 Nights
- Maasai Mara, Nairobi, Arusha, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro
- 8 Days 7 Nights
Good to know
Ngorongoro questions, answered
The things travellers most often ask before visiting. Anything else, our Nairobi team is happy to help.
A single full day on the crater floor is usually enough, with a night on the rim before or after.
Lions, buffalo, elephants and rhinos are often seen. Leopards are rarer on the crater floor.
Yes. The rim is high, so mornings and evenings can be chilly. Bring a warm layer.
Yes. They are neighbours, and most northern Tanzania safaris include both.
Yes. It sits between the crater and the Serengeti and makes an easy stop on the way.
Yes. The game drive is shorter than many parks, and sightings are frequent.
Ready to explore the crater?
Tell us your dates and which parks you would like to combine, and we will plan your Ngorongoro safari around you.
