The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area of 6,475sq km (2,500sq miles) was established in 1959. .  The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most spectacular game haunts in Africa: it is also one of the biggest craters or more correctly calderas in the world, over 14.5km (9 miles) across, 610-760m (2,000-2,500ft) deep and covering 264sq km (102 sq miles).  Entry into the crater is by way of the Lerai descent, an extremely steep and winding road down the slopes of the crater wall-negotiable only by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The caldera’s bottom is mainly open grassy plains with alternating fresh and brackish-water lakes, swamps and two patches of dense acacia woodlands called the Lerai and Laindi Forests.

Game animals and birds are abundant inside the crater. All of the so-called “Big Five’ may be seen-Elephant, Lion, Black Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus and Buffalo. Other species encountered are Cheetah, Eland, Grant’s and Thompson’s Gazelles, Common Zebra, Wildebeest, a super-abundance of Spotted Hyaena, Hunting Dog, and, if one is lucky, Leopard.

From Arusha the distance to the Crater Lodge is 180km (112 miles). The road passes the entrance to Lake Manyara National Park. Then on to the Mbulu Plateau, through the farming country of Karatu and Oldeani and into the highland forest to the rim of the crater. From Seronera headquarters of the Serengeti National Park to the crater is 140km (87 miles). First over miles of open plains and light acacia woodlands and then into the hill country west of the crater. This road passes famous Olduvai Gorge, where remains of prehistoric man were discovered.

The Ngorongoro Crater Safari summery

• The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, is home to more than 30 000 protected animals. It is an area of spectacular beauty and excellent game viewing, a truly unique safari destination in Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater, once a gigantic volcano, is the largest intact caldera in the Modern world. Today, long since having collapsed and eroded, it is an extensive highland area with the famous 600 metre deep Ngorongoro Crater as its focal point
• Wake up early to the views of the Crater, and after breakfast head off for a full day game drive on the Crater floor, abundant with wildlife -view Black rhino that are protected within its rim, giant tusked elephants, big-maned lions stalking the grasslands, and bright pink flamingos crowding the soda lakes
• Take a stroll on the rim of the Crater with your guide and relish sun-downers with a sensational view
• Anthropological importance are the ancient footprints left by human ancestors 3.6 million years ago. Though covered to preserve them, you can visit the site and also the Olduvai Gorge Museum which has casts of the prints and related artifacts.
• We welcome you to enjoy the wonders of Ngorongoro crater with us

Contact us for available offers on nature & wildlife safaris to Ngorongoro Crater .

Back to Tanzania National Parks

• Other National Parks and Game Reserves in Tanzania
• Serengeti national park
• Ngorongoro crater conservation area
• Kilimanjaro national park
• Tarangire national park
• Lake Manyara national Park
• Selous game reserve