A breathtaking wonder of nature, Ngorongoro Crater is a massive volcanic caldera that formed millions of years ago. It is situated in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area about 190 km west of Arusha city.
The crater is home to an astonishing variety of wildlife and captivating landscapes encompassing open plains, forests, and beautiful lakes.
If you are in search of a travel guide to Ngorongoro Crater, you have come to the right place. Here is our guide with all the details.
About The Crater And Its Formation
Ngorongoro Crater is world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera. It formed 2-3 million years ago from a huge volcanic eruption wherein the volcano collapsed on itself.
The diameter of the crater measures roughly 16-19 kilometres with its floor spanning 260 square kilometres. Its depth is 610 metres and the crater floor rises 1,800 metres above sea level.
The Maasai inhabitants of the crater named it after the sound generated by cowbells (ngoro ngoro). The area is thought to have occupied by numerous hominids (human-like species) for millions of years.
Palaeontologists have also found hominid fossils at a nearby site called ‘Olduvai Gorge’ which is protected within the Ngorongoro conservation Area.
The caldera became a protected area after the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Ordinance was passed in 1959. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
How To Get There
Ngorongoro Crater is part of Tanzania’s Northern circuit safari. From Arusha, it takes 3.5-4 hours to get to the crater entrance.
Another option is to fly to Lake Manyara Airstrip from Arusha and then drive to the crater. There are daily flights from Arusha Airport to Lake Manyara Airstrip. The flying time is approximately 30 minutes.
How To Get To Arusha
The nearest major airport to Arusha is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) which is about 50 km away. From the airport, you can take an airport shuttle or book a private car to reach Arusha.
Alternatively, fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam and take a connecting flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK).
Things To Do in Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is the main highlight of Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
The crater is a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife species including elephants, leopards, impalas, black rhinos, hippos, cheetah and more. Lets explore the best things to do here.
Safari Drive
Whether you go on a self-drive safari or a guided safari, you will find yourself captivated by the abundance of wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater.
We were on a guided safari and it took our jeep approximately 45 minutes to get to the crater floor from the entry gate.
The first thing we noticed after descending into the crater was a sea of pink. There were thousands of flamingos feasting on algae in Lake Magadi, a shallow alkaline lake in southwestern section of the crater.
Our driver took us closer to the lake where some jeeps were waiting as they likely had seen something elusive in the distance.
We adjusted our binoculars to focus on that exact spot, and voila, we just spotted a black rhino.
In reality, the rhino was too far and was resting with its head down. So, we couldn’t click any good pictures. After waiting there for a while, we moved on to explore other areas of the crater.
The beauty of Ngorongoro Crater is that you don’t have to search for wildlife, they just keep showing up. We saw a lion pride with its kill hidden in dry grass and lionesses guarding it.
A golden jackal got a whiff of the leftover meat and waited at a distance to grab some bites.
There was never a dull moment for us in the crater. We managed to see Tanzania’s largest antelope species known as eland. They are huge and can weigh up to 942 kg (2,077 pounds).
In addition to these, we also spotted wild buffaloes, warthogs, and hippos in Ngorongoro Crater.
Next, we drove towards the rim area of the crater which was covered with lush forests.
Upon driving deeper, we saw an elephant herd crossing the road. So, we waited there until the entire herd crossed to the other side of the pathway.
Birdwatching
With more than 500 species of resident and migratory birds, Ngorongoro Crater is paradise for birdwatchers.
The crater’s avian diversity is supported by its varied habitats, such as wetlands, grasslands, and highland forests.
Lake Magadi attracts a large number of migratory birds including lesser flamingos, great white pelicans, and storks.
We also spotted a female Somali ostrich (blue-necked ostrich) foraging in the grassland area of crater.
Another noteworthy sighting was a hamerkop pair, also known as lightning bird. The moniker ‘lightning bird’ comes from a belief in some African cultures that people who tamper with its nest will be hit by lightning.
Furthermore, we saw different types of waterbirds like herons, storks, geese, cranes, and waders.
Picnic Lunch At The Ngorongoro Crater
If you are on a full day safari to the crater, you can’t miss visiting the picnic area overlooking the Ngoitokitok spring (lake).
There were plenty of picnic tables and benches at the site. We occupied a scenic and tidy spot near the shore. Our guide had carried a neatly packed lunch basket with serving plates and cutlery.
It was an unforgettable experience to have our lunch served at one of the most beautiful spots in the crater.
Where To Stay in And Around The Crater
There are mainly luxury and mid-range accommodation options near the crater. Here are a few places to consider:
Luxury:
Ngorongoro Lodge member of Meliá Collection
Mid-range:
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
If you are looking for a budget-friendly place to stay, look for hotels in Karatu which is about 50 km from the crater.
Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater
Most wildlife in the crater do not migrate and stay there all year long. So, you have ample wildlife for game viewing throughout the year.
However, March to May is not great from accessibility point of view as heavy rainfall makes jeep tracks muddy and slippery.
Travel Tips
- Start your game drive early. By noon, the crater gets crowded with safari jeeps.
- Dress in neutral-colour clothes like beige, khaki, green, tan, as these colours can blend well with the surroundings. Avoid black and blue totally because such colours attract tsetse flies.
- Apply a good insect repellent before starting your game drive
- Remember to carry a binocular to spot wildlife that are far away, particularly birds.
Further Reading
You may also like to read about other national parks which are part of Tanzania’s Northern Circuit Safari.
Ultimate Guide to Tarangire National Park
Lake Manyara National Park – Essential Travel Guide
Over To You Now…
We hope this travel guide has given you a fair idea of what to expect when visit Ngorongoro Crater. Have you earlier visited this volcanic crater in Tanzania? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.
