Two to three million years ago a massive volcano in what is now northern Tanzania erupted and its cone collapsed inward, creating one of the largest intact volcanic calderas on Earth. Over millennia this natural bowl filled with life. Today the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries on the planet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What is the Ngorongoro Crater?
The crater stretches 260 square kilometres across its floor and is surrounded by walls rising 600 metres above the base. It is essentially a self-contained ecosystem — animals can and do enter and leave via the crater walls, but the protected conditions inside mean many species live there permanently.
The result is the highest density of predators in Africa. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and wild dogs all share the crater. Large herbivore populations of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, eland, gazelle and warthog provide abundant prey.
The Wildlife of Ngorongoro
Lions The Ngorongoro lion population is famous. The crater has one of the highest densities of lions anywhere in Africa and sightings are almost guaranteed. The lions here are known for their dark manes due to the cooler temperatures at high altitude.
The Black Rhinoceros Ngorongoro is one of the last places in East Africa where you can reliably see the critically endangered black rhinoceros in the wild. Around 25-30 black rhinos live within the crater. Sightings are not guaranteed but the crater offers the best odds anywhere in Tanzania.
Elephants Large bull elephants with impressive tusks are regularly seen in the crater. Breeding herds also descend from the crater walls.
Flamingos at Lake Magadi The shallow soda lake on the crater floor turns pink with tens of thousands of lesser flamingos during the right season. The sight of pink flamingos against the backdrop of the crater walls is one of Africa's most iconic images.
Hippos The Mandusi hippo pool in the crater holds a permanent population of hippos — easily viewed from the crater floor.
The Crater Rim — Equally Spectacular
The lodge accommodation on the crater rim sits at over 2,300 metres above sea level. On clear mornings the views down into the crater are breathtaking. The rim is also home to Maasai communities who have lived alongside the wildlife of Ngorongoro for centuries.
Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro is excellent year-round because wildlife cannot easily leave the enclosed crater environment. However the dry season from June to October offers the best game viewing as vegetation is lower and animals concentrate around permanent water sources.
December to March is also very good — the crater floor turns green after the rains and the flamingo population at Lake Magadi peaks during this period.
Combining Ngorongoro with the Serengeti
Ngorongoro and the Serengeti are just two to three hours apart by road and the vast majority of Tanzania safari itineraries combine both. Adding Tarangire National Park for its massive elephant herds and ancient baobab trees creates one of the finest safari circuits in Africa.
All our Tanzania safari packages include Ngorongoro Crater with expert guides who know the best spots for each species. Contact our team on WhatsApp at +255 688 686 983 to plan your perfect safari.
HuShop Team
Paje, Zanzibar · Travel writers & local experts