Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Overview

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Tanzania’s most extraordinary safari destinations. Home to the iconic Ngorongoro Crater—the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera—the region blends wildlife conservation with human habitation, where the Maasai people live alongside Africa’s most diverse animal populations. Covering over 8,000 square kilometers, Ngorongoro offers a unique safari experience, from stunning landscapes and rich wildlife viewing to cultural encounters.

Attractions in Ngorongoro

• The Ngorongoro Crater: Dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the crater is home to over 25,000 large animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, and the rare black rhino.

• Year-round Game Viewing: The crater’s enclosed ecosystem supports permanent wildlife populations, ensuring sightings any time of year.

• Cultural Encounters: Meet and interact with the Maasai, who continue their pastoral lifestyle within the conservation area.

• Scenic Beauty: Rolling highlands, volcanic landscapes, and breathtaking viewpoints make Ngorongoro a photographer’s paradise.

• Great Migration Connection: The area serves as a key route for the annual wildebeest migration, especially around Ndutu (December–March).

When to Visit

• Best Time: June to October (dry season) for easier game viewing and pleasant weather.

• Calving Season: December to March in the Ndutu area, when wildebeest give birth and predators are highly active.

• Wet Season (April–May): Fewer tourists, lush green scenery, and excellent birdwatching, though roads can be muddy.

Location

Ngorongoro is located in northern Tanzania, about 180 km (4–5 hours by road) west of Arusha. It lies within the broader Serengeti ecosystem and forms part of Tanzania’s famed Northern Safari Circuit.

How to Get There

• By Road: From Arusha, the drive takes 4–5 hours via good but sometimes busy roads, often combined with a safari circuit through Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Serengeti.

• By Air: Daily flights from Arusha and other safari hubs land at Lake Manyara Airstrip or directly at Ngorongoro’s smaller airstrips.

Popular Attractions & Activities

• Ngorongoro Crater Game Drives: Spot the “Big Five” in a single day within the crater floor.

• Olduvai Gorge: Visit one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, where early human fossils were discovered.

• Ndutu Plains: Famous for wildebeest calving season and predator action.

• Empakaai & Olmoti Craters: Hike lesser-visited volcanic craters for spectacular views and birdwatching.

• Cultural Visits: Experience Maasai villages and learn about their traditions.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury Lodges: &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp.

• Mid-Range Camps: Rhino Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge.

• Budget Options: Simba Campsite and local guesthouses around Karatu town.

Travel Tips

• Permits for crater tours are limited to 6-hour slots to preserve the ecosystem—plan accordingly.

• Dress warmly; temperatures can be chilly on the crater rim, especially mornings and evenings.

• Book lodges and camps early, especially during peak migration and holiday seasons.

• Combine your Ngorongoro safari with nearby Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire for a full Northern Circuit experience.