Ngorongoro Crater

Wildlife Ratings

Big 5: 9
Mammals: 9.5
Birds: 1
Reptiles: 1
Trees: 1

Lookout for

Thomsons Gazelle
Elephant
Black Rhino
Hippo
Lion
Leopard
Cheetah
Spotted Hyena
African Wild Dog
Jackal
Buffalo
Giraffe
Kudu
Wildebeest
Zebra
Impala
Waterbuck
Eland
Warthog
Baboon
Crocodile
Ostrich

The Ngorongoro Crater lies in the heart of the Ngornongoro Conservation Area adjacent to the Serengeti National Park. Ngorongoro is an extinct volcano that collapsed in on itself in the ancient past and today is a naturally protected 'garden of eden' for Africa's wildlife. Dropping 600m down in to the floor of this caldera one will come across hordes of big game such as large tusker elephants, black rhino, thick black-maned lion, cheetah, leopard, buffalo and spotted hyena. All the expected plains game also occur here in healthy numbers. The pink-smeared lake in the centre of the crater gains its odd colour from the flocks of flamingos that wade in its waters. This is one of Africa's iconic safari destinations and is a must if you are hitting the East African safari circuit. There are a variety of lodges and campsites situated around the crater's edge.

Why we like it

Iconic crater landscape; Incredible predator densities; Big 5; Pink lake and flocks of flamingoes

Facts & Figures

Park / Reserve Size: 8200 sq km
Reserve Type: National Park
Big 5: Yes
Specialist Specie: Black Rhino
Malaria Area: Yes
Nearest Town: Arusha

Lodges and Camps (click on the links below)

Lodge Budget Lodge Type
Lake Masek Tented Camp Luxury Full Board
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Super Luxury Full Board
Ngorongoro Farm House Middle Full Board
Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp Super Luxury Full Board
The Highlands, Ngorongoro Region Super Luxury Full Board
Tloma Lodge Middle Full Board

Tours & Trips (click on the links below)

Tour / Trip Budget Duration
East Africa and Zanzibar Safari Tour Luxury 14 nights/15 days
Essence of Tanzania Tour 6 days, 5 nights
Ngorongoro & Manyara Budget Camping Tour Luxury 3 nights, 4 days
Ngorongoro & Tarangire Safari Lodge Tour Luxury 3 nights, 4 days
Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara Lodge Tour Luxury 2 nights, 3 days OR 3 nights, 4 days
Ngorongoro to Lake Natron Tour Luxury 12 days, 11 nights
Northern Tanzania Luxury Lodges Tour Super Luxury 5 nights, 6 days
Serengeti Budget Camping Safari Tour Middle 5 nights, 6 days
Serengeti Luxury Camping Tour Super Luxury 7 days
Tanzania Northern Circuit Camping Tour Luxury 6 nights, 7 days
Tanzania Northern Circuit Lodges Tour Luxury 3 nights, 4 days OR 5 nights, 6 days

Key Species

MAMMALS
Lion
Cheetah
Elephant

BRIDS
Martial Eagle
Lesser Flamingo
Fischers Lovebird
Kori Bustard
Crowned Crane

REPTILES
Nile Crocodile
Red-headed Rock Agama
Hanang Hornless Chameleon

TREES
Fever Tree
Umbrella Thorn
Tree Euphorbia

HABITAT TYPES
Open Grassland
Savannah Woodland
Forest
Mountain Ridges
Soda Lake
Salt Pans