Ngorongoro is the remains of a huge volcano that collapsed in on itself millions of years ago. The result is a caldera about 19 kilometres wide, with walls rising some 600 metres above a grassland floor. The crater and the surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside the crater lie grassland, a soda lake, swamps and patches of forest, so a lot of different animals live in a small area.
What you can see
- Lions and hyenas in large numbers, often easy to find on open ground.
- Elephants, mostly large bulls, near the forest and swamps.
- Buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and gazelles on the open plains.
- Hippos in the pools and swamp areas.
- Black rhino, which are rare. The crater is one of the few places in Tanzania where you have a realistic chance of seeing one, usually at a distance.
- Flamingos and other water birds at Lake Magadi, depending on the season.
Leopards and cheetahs are present, but harder to find. As in all wildlife viewing, nothing is guaranteed.
How a crater day works
You usually leave your lodge on the rim early in the morning and drive down a steep road in a 4x4 safari vehicle. Early light brings the best animal activity and gives you the quietest start. Time inside the crater is limited, typically to about six hours, with a picnic lunch at a designated spot beside a pond. Then you drive back up to the rim. The morning is often cool and misty on the rim and warm on the crater floor.
Best time to visit
The crater can be visited all year. The dry season (about June to October) makes roads and game viewing easier, while the green season (November to May) brings fewer vehicles and dramatic skies. Because the animals live in the crater all year, it does not depend on the migration.
Combining the crater with other parks
Most northern-circuit safaris combine Ngorongoro with the Serengeti and often Tarangire or Lake Manyara. A day in the crater is a good contrast to the open plains of the Serengeti. If you only have three or four days, a short route such as Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Manyara, or Serengeti and Ngorongoro, gives a very good introduction.
Culture and the Maasai
The conservation area is also home to Maasai communities who live alongside wildlife. If you choose to visit a village, ask your operator how the visit is organised, and make sure the community benefits directly.
Practical tips
- Bring warm layers for the rim; it can be cold in the morning.
- Carry binoculars. Many animals are far from the road.
- Stay in the vehicle and follow your guide's instructions in the crater.
- Drink plenty of water and use sun protection.
Updated 15 October 2026
