Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world´s largest unbroken collapsed vulcano (caldera) and it is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, approximately 190 km northwest from Arusha. In 1979 the area was declared protected World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

The whole area covers approximately 8,288 square km and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists of the Ngorongoro Crater itself, the Olduvai Gorge, the Nduto plains (where the great migration passes), the Empakai crater and the Oldonyo Lengai mountain.

The Ngorongoro Crater is often called the “Eden of Africa”. Because of her natural closure it is a unique example of natures diversity. It is estimated that about 30,000 animals are living in the crater and it is one of the most densly populated areas of wild animals.

The crater rim lies on an altitude of 2,200 meters! Due to this altitude the crater rim is often hidden behind clouds. Therefore it can be very wet and cold. The center of the crater lies about 600 meters lower than the rim. At night time herds of zebras and elephants will climb on the rim of the crater and at day time Maasai walk down with their cows and goats to let them drink and graze.

Inside the crater you will spot large herds of zebras and wildebeest but also the black rhino, elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards and hippopotamuses. Surprisingly absent is the giraffe. Because of their long neck and legs the descent to the crater is too steep and therefore an impossible area to live for these animals.

The best time to visit Ngorongoro Crater is in the dry season from Juli until October or after the short rains from November until March.