- Best time to visit: June to October for the driest conditions; wildlife is present all year
- Getting there: About 3 hours by road from Arusha, usually combined with Lake Manyara or the Serengeti
Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, a natural enclosure roughly 600 metres deep with a floor of grassland, swamp, lake and forest. Its wildlife density is one of the highest in Africa, and it is one of the few places in Tanzania where black rhino can be seen with some regularity.
What you can see in the crater
- Lion, spotted hyena and, with luck, leopard and cheetah
- Large herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo and gazelle
- Elephant bulls, hippo pools and flamingos on Lake Magadi when water levels allow
- Black rhino, usually at a distance
How a crater visit works
Safari vehicles descend an access road early in the morning, and a six-hour crater stay is typical. Lodges on the rim have views over the caldera. It is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which also includes Ndutu and Olduvai Gorge.
Best time to visit
June to October is dry, but the crater is a good destination year-round. Mornings can be chilly on the rim, so pack warm layers.
Combine it with
Most Tanzania itineraries link the crater with the Serengeti, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. See the 7-Day Discover Tanzania Wildlife Lodge Safari or request a quote.
Map
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
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