Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Contact a specialist about visiting Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

>The focus of this famous area is the immense volcanic Ngorongoro Crater which is about 16 miles in diameter. A visit to the Crater is a feature of almost every single northern circuit safari itineraries in Tanzania, it can be incorporated at any time in the circuit but we normally arrange for your visit towards the beginning of your safari.

• Sarah Chatteris

The walls of the Ngorongoro Crater are covered with dense forest and the crater floor has quite a diverse range of habitats encompassing open grassland, an area of mature forest, and wetlands including a permanent lake. There is a profusion of wildlife here and in a relatively short time you are bound to see lions, elephants, buffalo, black rhino, hippos, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and occasionally you can even find leopard.

The views from the rim are breathtaking, and the crater is packed full of animals all year around. There are always a lot of visitors in the Ngorongoro Crater, but you should find that the wildlife experience more than makes up for this. There are a number of good lodges situated on the crater rim and surrounds, and it fits in well with a safari itinerary taking in the Serengeti and other northern parks.

The broader conservation area takes in more than just the crater and includes a great deal of montane forest, flat grassy plains and other magnificent craters and volcanic peaks. We have found some excellent treks which take you through the Ngorongoro Highlands and vary from half a day to 7 days. The area also encompasses the famous Olduvai Gorge known as the 'cradle of mankind', where the Leakeys unearthed the secrets of man's early evolutionary heritage.

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