Ngorongoro Conservation Area: A Guide to the Crater, Wildlife and Maasai Lands

Ngorongoro Conservation Area: key facts

What is Ngorongoro Crater?

Ngorongoro Crater is a huge volcanic caldera, formed when a volcano collapsed millions of years ago. It is about 19 kilometers (12 miles) across, with walls that rise about 600 meters (2,000 feet). Its floor holds grassland, swamps, forest and a soda lake, and the animals there have water all year, so many stay put.

Wildlife in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The crater floor supports lion, hyena, elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, hippo and black rhino, along with flamingos when water levels suit them. In the wider area, the southern plains are part of the migration's calving grounds from around January to March.

Maasai communities in Ngorongoro

The Maasai have lived here for generations, and they still graze cattle in the conservation area. Some communities welcome visitors for cultural tours. If you visit, ask before taking photos, and talk to your guide about how to do it respectfully.

Beyond the crater: Olduvai Gorge and more

Olduvai Gorge, on the way to the Serengeti, is one of the world's most important sites for the study of human origins, with a small museum. The Empakaai and Olmoti craters offer quieter hiking, for those with more time. Tell us if you would like to add them.

How to get to Ngorongoro from Moshi

The crater rim is about four to five hours by road from Moshi. Most visitors pass through on the way to or from the Serengeti, or stop on a shorter trip. Nights on the rim are cold, so bring warm layers.

Safaris that visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Prices are at mid-range level with two people sharing. For route advice, see our Ngorongoro Crater safari guide.

A short history of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The crater was formed about two to three million years ago, when a huge volcano collapsed. Early human ancestors lived in this region, as the discoveries at nearby Olduvai Gorge have shown. The Maasai moved into the area in more recent centuries. The conservation area was established in 1959, separate from the Serengeti, so that people and wildlife could continue to share the land. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1979.

The landscapes of the crater floor

The floor holds several habitats within a small area. Lake Magadi is a shallow soda lake that draws flamingos at times. Lerai Forest offers shade for elephants and monkeys. The Gorigor Swamp attracts hippos and buffalo, while open grassland feeds the zebra and wildebeest. Big old bull elephants are often seen in the crater, and the walls rise on every side, which makes for extraordinary photographs.

Black rhino in Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro is one of the most reliable places in Tanzania to see black rhino, a critically endangered species. Numbers are small, and they are carefully protected. They often stay a long way from the tracks, so bring binoculars. Your guide will not be able to drive off-road to get closer, as rules on the crater floor are strict for good reason.

Rules for visiting Ngorongoro Crater

• Vehicles must stay on the marked tracks.
• Time on the crater floor is limited, and your guide will manage this.
• Do not leave the vehicle except at the marked picnic and toilet areas.
• Keep your food out of sight at picnic sites, as kites may try to take it.
• Keep your voice down and do not disturb the animals.

Where to stay near Ngorongoro

Rim lodges have views across the crater that you will never forget, and they get you to the descent road quickly. Karatu, about an hour from the gate, is cooler and greener than the plains, with farm lodges and coffee estates at lower prices. Some travelers split their stay, and either option can work. We will suggest what suits your budget.

What to expect from the weather at Ngorongoro

At about 2,300 meters (7,500 feet), the rim is much cooler than the plains, and it can be misty and cold in the morning, especially from June to August. Bring a warm jacket. The floor is warmer during the day. Rain falls mainly from November to May, and the road down can get slippery.

Is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area right for you?

Nearly everyone who visits northern Tanzania should try to include it. It suits travelers with little time, as a single day can bring a wide range of animals. It suits families and photographers too. The main drawbacks are the crowds at busy times and the cost of the fees. If you want complete solitude, the crater floor may not be the place for you, although the wider highlands can be very quiet.

The highlands, Ndutu and other areas beyond the crater

The conservation area covers far more than the crater. Its green highlands are home to Maasai herders, forest and other craters such as Olmoti and Empakaai, which offer guided hikes. To the west, it falls away to the short-grass plains around Lake Ndutu, a key part of the migration from about January to March. Most visitors see only the crater, so it is worth asking about the rest if you have the time.

Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli: the story of human origins

Olduvai Gorge, sometimes spelled Oldupai, is where Louis and Mary Leakey found fossils and tools that changed our understanding of human evolution. A small museum and a guided talk explain the site, and it makes an easy stop on the way to the Serengeti. Nearby Laetoli preserves ancient footprints of early human ancestors, around 3.6 million years old, although a replica is what most visitors see at the museum.

Birds and smaller animals in Ngorongoro

Big animals get most of the attention, but the crater is also rich in birds, from flamingos on the lake to crowned cranes, kori bustards and ostriches. Serval cats, jackals and bat-eared foxes are also seen at times. Ask your guide to slow down for these smaller sightings, which can be the most memorable on a busy day. Binoculars are especially useful here.

Where to go from Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro links easily with the Serengeti to the west and with Lake Manyara and Tarangire to the east. Moshi is about four to five hours by road, so you can reach Mount Kilimanjaro easily. We can link any of these into a single trip.

How long should you spend in the Ngorongoro area?

One night and one game drive is enough for most visitors. Two nights give you time to add a Maasai village visit, Olduvai Gorge or a highland walk. Our Ngorongoro safari guide shows you how to fit the crater into a longer trip.

Practical tips for visiting Ngorongoro

• Bring warm clothes for the rim, even in hot months on the plains.
• Leave early to beat the crowds on the crater floor.
• Take a packed lunch, and keep it hidden from birds at the picnic sites.
• Ask before taking photos of Maasai people.
• Bring binoculars, as rhino are often distant.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area: your questions answered

Make time for Ngorongoro

It is close to the main safari route, and it has something no other park can offer. Send us your dates, and we will include it on your trip.