Ngorongoro Crater

Region

Arusha Region, Northern Tanzania

Area

260 km² (crater floor)

Best Time

Jun–Oct, good year-round

Altitude

1,800 – 2,400 m

Ngorongoro is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world — a 600-metre-deep natural amphitheatre with roughly 25,000 large animals living inside its walls. It is the single best place in Tanzania to see black rhino, and Maasai herders have grazed cattle on the crater floor for generations.

The world's largest intact volcanic caldera — a natural amphitheatre sheltering 25,000 animals, including the rare black rhino, alongside Maasai communities who have grazed cattle here for centuries.

Safari Highlights

Black Rhino

One of the few places left in East Africa where a wild black rhino sighting is realistic.

The Caldera

A 600 m descent onto a 260 km² floor — the largest unbroken caldera anywhere.

Lake Magadi

A soda lake on the crater floor, pink with flamingos in the wetter months.

Maasai Bomas

The only conservation area in Tanzania where people and wildlife share the land by design.

Lerai Forest

Yellow fever acacia woodland where elephant bulls with heavy tusks shelter.

Crater Rim Views

Sunrise over the rim, 600 metres above the floor, with the whole caldera below you.

Animals you may see

  • Black Rhino
  • Lion
  • Elephant
  • Buffalo
  • Leopard
  • Spotted Hyena
  • Flamingo
  • Wildebeest
  • Zebra
  • Golden Jackal
  • Serval
  • Grant's Gazelle

When to visit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
  • Peak
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Low

The crater holds water year-round, so the wildlife does not leave and viewing is good in any month. June to October is driest and clearest. Descend early — the crater floor gets busy from mid-morning, and the first two hours after the gate opens are the quietest and the best for predators.

Find Us

FAQs

How long do you spend in the crater?

A full crater descent is a half to full day — usually six hours on the floor. Vehicles must be out by 6 pm and there is a six-hour limit on the floor, so we descend at gate opening to make the most of it.

Can I see the Big Five in one day?

Ngorongoro is the most likely place in Tanzania to see all five in a single drive. Lion, elephant and buffalo are near certain; black rhino and leopard depend on the day.

Is Ngorongoro worth it if I have already done the Serengeti?

Yes — they are completely different. The Serengeti is open plain and distance; the crater is a contained ecosystem where everything is close together. Most of our northern circuits include both.

Are there Maasai villages I can visit?

Yes. Ngorongoro is a conservation area rather than a national park, so Maasai communities live and graze within it. We arrange visits to working bomas where the fee goes to the family hosting you.

Tours in this destination

Plan your trip

Tell us the dates and who is travelling — we will put an itinerary together for you.

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