Safari experience at Ngorongoro conservation area & crater; World's largest crater in Tanzania

Ngorongoro conservation area & crater

Ngorongoro conservation area & crater is a natural unique & massive caldera located in northern Tanzania was formed when a large volcano, roughly the size of Mount Kilimanjaro, erupted and collapsed. That happened over 2.5 million years ago. It is one of Africa’s 7 wonders since 2013 and the Ngorongoro-Lengai area was accredited by UNESCO as a Global Geopark. It’s initially designated in 1959 as a unique area where wildlife and humans could coexist, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 1979 for its outstanding natural and cultural significance.

This designation helps protect the rich biodiversity of the area while supporting the indigenous natives who call those lands home. Today, it’s one of East Africa’s top iconic safari destinations. Ngorongoro Crater is over 600 m (1,968 ft.) deep and spans an area of 259 square kilometers (100 sq. mi) with a wildlife zone covering a territory of 1,892 square km. This unfilled volcanic caldera serves as a “natural zoo”, hosting thousands of animals, including a large population of lions, elephants, wildebeest, and even rhinos. There are 300 Species of large animals living in the Ngorongoro conservation area & crater. The Ngorongoro crater is often referred to as the place with the highest density of large mammals on the planet with over 25,000 animals that are permanent residents. Its large population of lions stands in particular.

Ngorongoro conservation area & crater safari packages

4 DAYS NGORONGORO Tanzania SAFARI

On the short 4 days Ngorongoro Tanzania safari, you'll start off with mountain Kilimanjaro national park and then after head to Ngorongoro, Tarangire and lake Manyara national parks. While in Ngorongoro crater conservancy, you'll enjoy sightings of Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, buffaloes, elephants & rhinos), zebras, hippos, warthogs, hyenas, water bucks, antelopes etc. Ngorongoro crater area is one of the best places in the world to see black rhinos in the wild. The area's biodiversity (savanna plains, swamps, lowland acacia forests, lakes) offers great bird sightings of flamingos, pelicans, kingfishers, eagles, ostriches, cranes, sun birds and much more.

3 DAYS SERENGETI- NGORONGORO SAFARI

Going to and from Serengeti national park requires you to pass through Ngorongoro crater conservancy as they share borders. A 3 days Serengeti- Ngorongoro safari focuses on sightings and activities in these parks. Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro crater area are the most popular tourist destinations in Tanzania known for the highest concentration of wildlife with wildebeest migration, air balloon tours, 400+ bird species, Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes), zebra herds, crater lakes, historical sites etc. Get a well planned 3 day Serengeti- Ngorongoro Tanzania itinerary for great sightings.

10 DAYS NGORONGORO & WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

2 days of the 10 day Tanzania safari itinerary are spent in Ngorongoro crater conservancy. This 10 days Ngorongoro and wildlife Tanzania safari experience focuses on tours in the northern circuit national parka and winds up a Zanzibar island tropical white sand beach relaxation holiday. It's best done during dry seasons of June- August and December to March. 10 day Tanzania safari itinerary engages you in the great wildebeest migration sightings, game drives, air balloon tours, crater lakes, hiking, Olduvai gorge, historical sites, birding unique species for example flamingos, pelicans, secretary birds, ostriches, fish eagle, giant kingfishers etc. White sand beach holidays come along snorkeling, boat cruises, swimming, sea creatures, spices, sea foods, kite rafting etc.

6 DAYS Ngorongoro- Zanzibar experience

With a week off, book a perfect 6 days Ngorongoro to Zanzibar Tanzania safari. The safari starts from Ngorongoro crater conservancy traversing through Tarangire and lake Manyara game parks before finally diving into a Zanzibar island tropical beach getaway. As one of the world's most concentrated natural parks, Ngorongoro offers great sightings at Africa's big 5 (lions, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, leopards), wildebeests, zebras, hippos, ostriches, hyenas, flamingos, pelicans, geese, wild dogs, monkeys etc. After Ngorongoro into Tarangire and lake Manyara, you enjoy more of African elephant, flamingos, tree climbing lions and ancient baobab trees. White sand beaches at Zanzibar island come along kite rafting, sea creatures & turtles, swimming boat cruises, resorts and the safari blue experience.

15 DAY NGORONGORO, ZANZIBAR & WILDLIFE SAFARI

A slow 2 weeks travel in Tanzania on a 15 days Ngorongoro, Zanzibar & wildlife safari offer ample time at the itinerary destinations. The 15 days wildlife Tanzania safari takes you through the northern circuit's Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, lake Manyara, mtn Kilimanjaro and then to Zanzibar island for a tropical getaway treat. Given being the continent's most concentrated game park on this safari, you get a full blast of what wildlife has. Expect sightings of wildebeest migration or calving scenes, Africa's big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos), air balloon tours, crater lakes, Olduvai gorge, flamingos, pelicans, cranes, warthogs, giraffe herds, zebras, topis, antelopes, primates, hippos etc. While on the tropical sand beach and safari blue experience treat on Zanzibar island, you also enjoy snorkeling, kite rafting, boat cruises etc.

21 days Uganda- TANZANIA- NGORONGORO SAFARI

On another 3 weeks/ 21 days Uganda- Tanzania safari for slow travel adventure highlights 2 special experience i.e. mountain gorilla trekking and wildebeest migration. Other special highlights on this safari include; Murchison water falls (the world's strongest water falls). the Nile river and its source, Ngorongoro crater (the world's largest volcanic caldera). highest chimpanzee population at Kibale forest national park. Mtn. Kilimanjaro scenes (world's highest free standing mountain and highest peak in Africa). Tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth and lake Manyara national parks. The long 21 days Uganda- Tanzania safari winds up with a tropical white sand beach treat, safari blue experience, sea food cuisines and spice tour at Zanzibar island.

Activities in Ngorongoro conservation area & crater

Safari game drives
Birding/ bird watching
Filming & photography
Nature walks & hiking
Ngorongoro crater sightings
Africa’s big 5 game tracking
Olduvai gorge & shifting sands visit
Horse back riding tours
Africa culture

Ngorongoro conservation area & crater nature walks

98% of the people living in the area are Masai – the indigenous people of Ngorongoro. In the southwest of the Ngorongoro Crater lies a beautiful shallow soda lake known as Lake Magadi which is home to thousands of flamingos. Other crater lakes in the vicinity of Ngorongoro are Empakaai and Olmoti which offer guided walking tours experience that are not done around Ngorongoro crater. In addition, Ngorongoro crater area is a unique destination where you can see Africa’s big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffaloes) and many large animals can be seen in one day and in the shortest time by the lake, providing many opportunities for wildlife viewing. Ngorongoro conservation area diversity also has lowland forests like Lerai forest, grassland plains and Gorigor swamp all favor the presence of numerous wildlife.

Olduvai gorge in Ngorongoro conservation area

This area is rich in archaeological sites located nearby is the Olduvai Gorge, sometimes referred to as the “Cradle of human beings” and are crucial for the the study of human evolution. The Homo sapient skeleton at Olduvai Gorge near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, helped us understand the earliest origins of the human race. Most interesting discoveries include ancient footprints dating back millions of years. Today, visitors can explore Olduvai Gorge and its museum, where ongoing excavations continue to uncover artifacts of high importance. These findings make Ngorongoro Conservation Area one of the key locations in the world for understanding early humans.

When is the best time to visit Ngorongoro conservation area & crater

The best time to visit Ngorongoro conservation area & crater is throughout the year with May to October dry season being a better choice than other times. This period offers the best wildlife viewing opportunities as animals tend to gather around water sources. Visits to this popular site during the other times of the year are also possible, offering unique advantages. During the rainy season from November to April, you will enjoy spectacular green landscapes and off-season discounts.

Where to stay while in Ngorongoro conservation area & crater

Neptune Ngorongoro

Neptune lodge located at -3.30491° S, 35.59070° E in Ngorongoro crater national park, Tanzania is a luxury staycation safari lodge.

The Neptune lodges has different luxury staycation offers starting from $870.

Ngorongoro rhino lodge

Ngorongoro rhino lodge is located at -3.25692° S, 35.52483° E in Ngorongoro crater game park and has some of the best sightings of the park even while still at the lodge itself.

At Ngorongoro rhino lodge offers various safari staycation options with;

Single rooms starting at $330
Double/Twin rooms starting at $440
Child rate for 6-15 years at $115

Lemala Ngorongoro tented camp

Lemala Ngorongoro tented camp is a luxury staycation lodge in the middle of Ngorongoro crater game park at -3.07639° S, 35.64459° E and have some of the best staycation comfort away from home yet with a great wildlife serene experience.

Camping tents at Lemala Ngorongoro tented camp can be occupied by single occupancy, couple/ double occupancy. Triple or family set up starting at rates of $370 pp.

Marera view lodge

The Marera view lodge is located at -3.27710° S, 35.72401° E in Karatu 10 km from Ngorongoro crater game park gate making it efficient to catch up with early park activities from yet a mid-range affordable staycation.

Marera view lodge offers different rates and accommodation options such as;

Single rooms starting from $216
Double rooms starting from $433
Triple rooms starting from $645