The Ngorongoro Crater is located about 180km west of Arusha, in the Crater Highlands. This game-rich crater is a must-see on Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit also featuring Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire and Mount Kilimanjaro. Ngorongoro is arguably the best place to see black rhino in East Africa, but is also good for spotting elephant, waterbuck, leopard, hippo, and reedbuck. Because the crater possesses a permanent water source, game-viewing is excellent year-round. There are about 400 species within and around the crater, including greater and lesser flamingoes (especially in the saline Lake Magadi), kori bustard, rufous-naped lark, rosy-breasted longclaw, superb starling, augur buzzard, golden-winged sunbird, malachite sunbird, tacazze sunbird, Schalow’s turaco, streaky seedeater, black and yellow-billed kites and rufous-tailed weaver.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area- The Ngorongoro Crater itself is part of a larger conservation area called the Ngorongoro Conservation Area or NCA. The 8,300 square metre NCA comprises three spectacular volcanic craters, the Olduvai Gorge, seemingly endless expanses of iconic savannah – part of the Serengeti Plains, bush and surprisingly, lush forest.

This protected area is unique because of its efforts to preserve a way of life for both mankind and animals. Within the NCA, the Masai people are free to graze their cattle alongside the likes of antelope, buffalo, wildebeest and zebra.

Interestingly, the name ‘Ngorongoro’ is onomatopoeic in origin. Masai cattle herders reportedly gave the crater its name inspired by the sound of their cow-bells ‘ngoro ngoro’.  Due to the nature of the NCA, these cows and their Masai herdsman can still be seen making their descent to greener pastures or grazing amongst the herds of wildlife in the crater proper.

Ndutu- Ndutu is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in the southeastern plains of the Serengeti ecosystem. The plains around Ndutu are the main holding ground for migratory animals where vast herds congregate and linger for more than four months, from December to April, before they start moving across the Serengeti in search of greener pastures and water. Ndutu area forms an important part of the Serengeti ecosystem, in particular the short grass plains which provide calving grounds for wildebeest and other migratory animals.

Olduvai Gorge- Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the Olduvai Gorge. It is here at Olduvai Gorge that Dr. Louis Leakey and family discovered the remains of Homo Hablis or “handy man”, regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution, proving his theory that man had his origins in Africa. But many more fossils have been discovered here at Olduvai Gorge, including those of prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous ostriches. Footprints of humanoids believed to be three million years old have also been discovered at Olduvai Gorge. A fascinating museum houses replicas and actual artefacts found on site at Olduvai Gorge, which makes the site worth a safari trip during your stay in this area.

Ngorongoro crater photography- It is the setting of the park that makes wildlife viewing and photography in the caldera so extraordinary and rewarding. The steep walls of the crater, often falling into indigo shadows, create a spectacular backdrop for your pictures, photos and digital images. But it is the animals that are the stars in all the pictures. They are varied and abundant, many are remarkably tame and habituated to the safari vehicles. They are also generally out in the open, where they are easily photographed.

Ngorongoro crater lodges and campsites- Accommodation options abound on the crater rim, with several safari lodges and camping sites. Lodges range from the very expensive to the more reasonable priced establishments. Visit the Ngorongoro lodges and camps page for more information.

Access to Ngorongoro Safari-The Ngorongoro crater and wider conservation area is easily accessible. There is a daily light aircraft flight to Arusha from Dar (other airstrips in Tanzania also fly to Arusha) where you would then be met by a safari guide in a close-sided pop-top 4 x 4 safari vehicle. Your guide will stay with you for your time down in the Crater, and possibly longer. The drive from Arusha is around 4 hours to begin an Ngorongoro Crater safari.

Another alternative is to fly to Manyara airstrip, which is about an hour from the Crater. Depending on where you’re staying – you may be met by the lodge, or picked up by a private driver guide

Ngorongoro crater  day trip (Arusha- Ngorongoro crater-Arusha)