Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, is home to thousands of animals within a lush volcanic crater and offers an unparalleled, spectacular safari setting rich in diversity and natural beauty.
The Ngorongoro Crater and the surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation Area rank among the most impressive natural areas in Africa and are, for many travellers, the very reason to embark on a safari in Tanzania. And for good reason — nowhere else on the continent is there such a high concentration of wildlife, and your chances of spotting a rare black rhinoceros in the wild are greater here than anywhere else.
A Journey Through Breathtaking Landscapes
The route to the crater leads through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a picturesque region of dense vegetation, rolling highlands and sweeping views. Along the way, you may already encounter a variety of wildlife.
But the real spectacle begins as you descend to the crater floor — a place that is not without reason listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ngorongoro Crater, plunging some 600 metres deep, forms a unique ecosystem with a remarkable diversity of microclimates and landscapes — ranging from soda lakes and open grasslands to wetlands and forested areas.
A Natural Paradise with Unparalleled Biodiversity
Thanks to its diverse habitats, the Ngorongoro Crater is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. Here, you may encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos — the famous Big Five. In addition, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, jackals and gazelles roam the crater floor. Along the shores of the soda lake, thousands of flamingos often create a spectacular pink shimmer.
The lion population within the crater is particularly remarkable — the lions are on average larger than elsewhere in Africa, partly due to the constant availability of prey. For those who dream of seeing a black rhinoceros in its natural habitat, this is quite possibly the best place to make that dream come true.
Meeting the Maasai
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not only rich in natural beauty, but also in culture. The Maasai, one of East Africa’s most well-known tribes, still live here according to centuries-old traditions. You will often see them in their distinctive red clothing, herding goats and cattle across the vast open plains.
A visit to a Maasai village offers a fascinating insight into their way of life and is a valuable and enriching addition to your safari experience.
Did you know…?
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world?
The crater was formed after the collapse of a volcano that was once higher than Mount Kilimanjaro!More than 25,000 large mammals live within the crater?
Including lions, buffaloes, elephants, zebras, wildebeest and critically endangered black rhinos.Ngorongoro is one of the few places where you can see the Big Five in a single day?
Thanks to the exceptionally high concentration of wildlife, your chances here are remarkably high.The Maasai people still live with their livestock within the Conservation Area?
This makes Ngorongoro truly unique: a protected area where nature and traditional culture coexist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ontdek hier enkele van onze activiteiten in de buurt van Ngorongoro National Parc
Contacteer ons gerust indien je één of meerdere van deze activiteiten wil toevoegen aan je reis.
