Ngorongoro Crater: Nature’s Amphitheater

Ngorongoro Crater: Nature’s Amphitheater

Overview

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, forming a spectacular bowl of about 260 square kilometers with walls rising up to 600 meters from the crater floor. This natural enclosure has created one of the richest wildlife havens on earth, offering visitors unparalleled game viewing in a stunning setting.

Key Facts

  • Size: 260 sq km crater floor; 8,300 sq km conservation area
  • Depth: 610 meters from rim to floor
  • Formation: Collapsed volcano, approximately 2-3 million years ago
  • UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site
  • Elevation: 1,800 meters (rim) to 1,200 meters (floor)
  • Water source: Lake Magadi and several springs

Wildlife Highlights

  • One of the best places to see the endangered black rhino
  • Dense population of predators (lions, hyenas, jackals)
  • Large elephant bulls with impressive tusks
  • Over 25,000 large animals including buffalo, wildebeest, zebra
  • Abundant birdlife including flamingos, crowned cranes, and eagles
  • Unique highland forest around the rim with different species

Best Time to Visit

  • June to October (Dry Season): Easier wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources
  • November to May (Green Season): Lush landscapes, fewer visitors, but some roads may be challenging
  • Year-round destination: The crater always holds significant wildlife populations

Zones and Habitats

  1. Crater Floor:
    • Open grasslands teeming with grazers
    • Lake Magadi (seasonal alkaline lake)
    • Fever tree forests and marshlands
    • Lerai Forest with dense vegetation
  2. Crater Rim:
    • Highland forests with different wildlife
    • Spectacular viewpoints
    • Cooler temperatures than floor
  3. Wider Conservation Area:
    • Olmoti and Empakaai craters
    • Maasai cultural areas
    • Olduvai Gorge archaeological site
    • Lake Eyasi and Lake Ndutu

Activities

  • Game drives on the crater floor (maximum 6 hours permitted)
  • Walking tours along the crater rim
  • Cultural visits to Maasai villages
  • Olduvai Gorge archaeological site visits
  • Empakaai Crater hikes
  • Bird watching

Accommodation Options

Luxury

  • &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
  • Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp
  • The Manor at Ngorongoro

Mid-range

  • Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
  • Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
  • Lemala Ngorongoro Camp

Budget

  • Rhino Lodge
  • Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge
  • Simba Campsite (public campsite)

Practical Information

  • Park fees: $70 per adult per day (non-East African residents) plus $300 per vehicle crater service fee
  • Maximum 6-hour visits enforced on the crater floor
  • No off-road driving permitted (unlike Serengeti)
  • Early morning entry recommended (gate opens at 6am)
  • Higher altitude means cooler temperatures – bring layers
  • Limited entry points and exit roads control traffic flow

Conservation Challenges

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area represents a unique management model that attempts to balance wildlife conservation, tourism, and the needs of the indigenous Maasai people who have grazing rights within the conservation area. This multi-use approach creates both challenges and opportunities for sustainable conservation.

Connecting Serengeti and Ngorongoro

Most safari itineraries combine these two iconic destinations, usually with 3-4 days in Serengeti followed by 1-2 days at Ngorongoro. The drive between the two takes approximately 3-4 hours, offering scenic views and potential wildlife sightings along the way. The Ndutu region, which falls partly in both the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is especially popular during the calving season (February-March).