Why Go on a Ngorongoro Crater Safari
The Ngorongoro Crater is a leading safari destination, providing a unique experience that few places can match. While larger, wilder parks exist, the crater offers some of the most accessible and rewarding wildlife viewing opportunities in East Africa. It is an essential stop on Tanzania’s famous Northern Safari Circuit, known for a classic Big 5 safari set in a stunning volcanic caldera landscape. With around 25,000 animals, various habitats can be explored through guided game drives, making it likely to see all Big 5 animals in one day.
Visitors can find excellent accommodations on the crater’s rim, offering some of the best views in Africa. Staying at these lodges allows early access to the crater each morning. For a budget-friendly option, the town of Karatu, located about 20 kilometers south, offers several great lodges amidst lush hills, many on working coffee plantations. These lodges provide activities like game drives, bird watching, cultural tours, and mountain biking.
The Ngorongoro Crater is perfect for first-time safari-goers and families, with abundant wildlife and easy observation making it a favorite for wildlife photographers. It’s also a romantic base for honeymoons and complements visits to the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Lake Manyara.
Ngorongoro Crater – Part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
When organizing your journey, it is crucial to distinguish between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater, as they are not synonymous. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans an impressive 8,292 square kilometers (3,202 square miles).
The Ngorongoro Crater serves as the primary highlight within this Conservation Area, earning its designation as a “crater” due to its volcanic history. This geological feature was once part of a colossal volcano, with its remaining walls now forming the Ngorongoro Caldera. Contrary to common belief, wildlife is capable of exiting the crater; however, they seldom do so, as the crater itself offers all the resources necessary for their thriving existence.
The area of the crater measures merely 260 square kilometers (100 square miles), meaning that if you allocate a single day for a safari in Ngorongoro, the majority of your time will be spent within this remarkable site. Beyond the crater, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasts several other notable attractions, including Lake Ndutu, Olduvai Gorge, Empakai, and Olmoti Craters.
Animals in the Ngorongoro Crater
A safari in the Ngorongoro Crater offers the opportunity to observe a wide array of Tanzania’s renowned wildlife. Many of these animals remain within the crater’s boundaries, allowing for the simultaneous presence of thousands of mammals in this relatively small area. In just one day, visitors can witness nearly all the primary savanna species.
The Ngorongoro Crater supports approximately 25,000 large animals, making it the most densely populated region for mammalian predators on the continent.
The mineral-rich caldera floor is abundant with life, establishing it as one of Africa’s premier safari locations. The majority of the crater’s landscape is characterized by expansive grasslands, where most of the wildlife can be easily observed.
What to See in Ngrongoro Conservation Area Apart from Crater ?
In addition to its primary draw, the crater teeming with wildlife, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area boasts several other captivating sites. It is advisable to allocate an additional day to explore these attractions.
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is an excavation site where famous anthropologists Mary and Louis Leakey discovered ancient human remains from 1. 5-2 million years ago. The Olduvai Gorge Museum shows replicas of tools and artifacts found there, and there is a cafe for travelers to relax and enjoy the view.
Olmoti & Empakai Crater
Olmoti Carter is a well-known hiking spot in the Ngorongoro Highlands with few visitors, even during the dry season. It is ideal for those wishing to experience Tanzania’s nature, away from safari vehicles.
Empakai Crater: Located north of the main Ngorongoro Crater, is one of the few areas in the reserve where hiking is allowed, but an armed ranger must accompany all visitors. Lake Empakai, in the crater, attracts flamingos from November to May.
Nasera Rock
In addition to Olduvai Gorge, Nasera Rock serves as a significant archaeological location. This rock rises approximately 50 meters (164 feet) high, dominating the savanna much like a 16-story structure. Artifacts including primitive stone tools such as axes, blades, and hammers, utilized by early humans approximately 300,000 years ago, have been discovered at this site. These discoveries enable scientists to piece together the narrative of human evolutionary progress.
The Shifting Sands
The black sand dunes in the eastern Serengeti Plain near Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania are volcanic sand dunes. Known as the Shifting Sands, they are located about twelve kilometers northwest of the Olduvai Gorge Museum and two kilometers from the Gorge’s bank.
These moving ash dunes travel westward at around 15 to 29 meters each year and have left behind heavier, dark iron-rich minerals. The crescent-shaped black dune, made of volcanic ash from Oldoinyo Lengai, is 5 meters high and 100 meters long.
Laetoli Footprint
Laetoli is an important paleontological site in Africa, located at the southern edge of the Serengeti Plains within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, north of Lake Eyasi. It has many Plio-Pleistocene deposits, mainly from volcanic sources, filled with archaeological and paleontological artifacts, capped by older metamorphic rocks.
The site’s significance has been recognized since the 1930s, but it became well-known in the 1970s for key discoveries, including the Holotype and other fossils. It shows clear evidence of the earliest bipedal hominid footprints, around 3. 6 million years old, made when early human ancestors walked on wet volcanic ash, later preserved by ash from a volcanic eruption.
Endoro Waterfalls & Endoro Elephant Cave
The Endoro Waterfalls is an impressive location on the Southern border of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, near Karatu Town. The trail to the waterfall, which takes 2-3 hours to hike, goes through a forest and past the Elephant Caves. The Endoro entrance gate, 6. 5 kilometers from Karatu, provides access to the waterfalls.
The Endoro River flows year-round and drops over 40 meters. The trail offers good exercise and stunning views of Karatu town and the area’s highlands, attracting bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts interested in elephants, buffaloes, and bush pigs.
Endoro Elephant Caves are located a short walk from Endoro Waterfall. Elephants dug these caves over many years to find mineral-rich soil. The soil comes from volcanic emissions and decomposed organic material. Besides elephants, animals like buffaloes, waterbucks, and bushbucks also visit the caves for minerals. The caves can be reached on foot during a hike.
When is the Best Time to Go for Ngorongoro Crater Safari?
January – May
January is a great time to visit the Ngorongoro Crater because it’s breeding season for wildebeest. The herds have “mass calving” on the green plains just outside the crater, providing excellent photo opportunities of newborns trying to stand. January and February are dry months between the two rainy seasons, which enhances wildlife viewing, especially seeing predators like lions and hyenas preparing to hunt.
February is one of the drier months before the rains start at the end of March. March is also a good time to visit due to fewer crowds and better rates. The “long rains” begin at the end of March and last into April and May, making the crater lush and vibrant.
Jane – October
June is one of the best times to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The long rains have ended, and game drives are less crowded. Peak safari season in the Ngorongoro Crater starts in late June or early July. The cooler weather is also great for climbing Kilimanjaro, a popular addition to a Ngorongoro safari.
July and August are peak season, with many visitors and full accommodations around the crater. People come during the dry season to see more wildlife, like leopards, lions, rhinos, buffaloes, and elephants at watering holes.
September marks the beginning of spring but remains part of the dry season, making the crater chilly and dusty. October is a transitional month, with dry weather at the start and short rains beginning before November.
November – December
The Ngorongoro Crater experiences a warm climate with occasional rainfall in November and December, coinciding with the season known as the ‘short rains.’ However, the precipitation typically falls in brief episodes, often manifesting as afternoon showers that seldom disrupt safari activities. November marks the arrival of the first migratory birds alongside the rainfall, rendering this period an excellent opportunity for birdwatching in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Planning the Ngorongoro Crater Safari
When selecting your accommodation: It is essential to consider your options carefully. Lodges situated on the rim of the crater offer breathtaking views and provide the quickest access to the crater floor; however, the nearby town of Karatu presents a broader selection of lodging and activities.
It is important to be prepared for crowds: Ngorongoro Crater, which spans only 260 km², can become quite busy during the dry season, particularly near popular wildlife viewing areas and favored lunch locations. To experience fewer visitors, consider planning your visit during the rainy season from April to May.
Bring the Kids: The Ngorongoro Crater is an excellent choice for family safaris, thanks to its diverse wildlife and numerous lodges that cater to children.
Wrap up in winter: Particularly from June to August, the unique geography of the Ngorongoro Crater results in colder temperatures, so it is advisable to dress warmly.
Flights & Getting Around
Arusha Airport is located near Arusha and serves as the entry point to attractions like the Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire. To reach Arusha Airport, you must travel from Kilimanjaro International Airport, which is about 50 km away.
You can fly to Kilimanjaro from Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, or Europe, but international flights often land late at night, requiring an overnight stay in Arusha. Since the Ngorongoro Crater is a 3-hour drive from Arusha, many travelers choose to drive to their accommodations in the crater or the nearby town of Karatu. Game drives are usually done in open-sided 4X4 vehicles.
Ngorongoro Crater FAQs
Why is Ngorongoro Crater Famous?
Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera globally, covering 264 square kilometers, with a diameter of 16 to 19 kilometers and a depth of about 600 meters.
What Does the Name Ngorongoro Mean?
There are two theories about the name “Ngorongoro. ” The first claims it comes from the Maasai word “El-Nkoronkorro,” meaning “gift of life,” referring to the rich grasslands. The Maasai used to graze their cattle there, but this was stopped to protect the environment. The second theory suggests the name relates to the “nkor-nkor” sound from bells on their cattle.
Can you film with a drone in Ngorongoro?
Filming with drones in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not allowed. Only authorized projects that benefit the area, mainly wildlife documentaries and occasionally important tourism media, can use drones. Visitors and bloggers cannot get this permission.
Is Ngorongoro Crater one of the Seven Wonders of the world?
Ngorongoro may not be officially recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World; however, it is often referred to by many as the eighth wonder of the world in Africa.
What is the difference between the Serengeti and Ngorongoro?
At 14,763 square kilometers, the Serengeti is larger than the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which is 8,292 square kilometers, and much larger than the Ngorongoro Crater, which is 264 square kilometers.
Ngorongoro Crater can be explored in one or two days, but the Serengeti requires more time to appreciate.
Ngorongoro features mainly grasslands, while the Serengeti has diverse vegetation, including bushveld, forest, and grassland plains.
Though both areas have the Big 5, there are many more animals in the Serengeti.
How Many Days Do I Need for Ngorongoro Crater Safari?
To explore Ngorongoro’s main attraction, the wildlife crater, one day is enough. In the evening, you’ll stay at a hotel on the crater rim to rest. The safari goes from early morning until about 2:00-3:00 PM, after which an African Diurnal Safaris guide will take you to a lodge. You can also visit Olduvai Gorge on the same day. To see the Olmoti and Empakai Craters, you need to add another day.
Why there is no Giraffe in Ngorongoro Crater?
Giraffes do not live in the Ngorongoro Crater mainly due to its steep walls that hinder their movement and the lack of tall trees, which are their main food source. Instead, they are often seen outsite the crater and nearby Serengeti National Park and other national parks in Tanzania.
Are the Big 5 Animals in the Ngorongoro Crater?
Yes, all of the big five animals – black rhino, elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard – are in the Ngorongoro Crater. The compact area of the crater allows you to see these animals all year round.
A resident population of endangered Black Rhino is often seen on the crater floor, attracting many tourists. Old elephant bulls with large tusks are commonly found near the Lerai Forest, while breeding herds are less frequent.
Large buffalo herds are often spotted in the dry season, while leopards are harder to find as they avoid crowds. The crater also has a high population of lions, which are comfortable around safari vehicles.
