Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s main tourist attraction. It is the largest and most scenic crater in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, with a large concentration of wildlife. It is also one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders due to its breathtaking natural features. The Ngorongoro Crater is known as a home to over 25,000 animals, including the big five; elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, and leopards.

Other animals found in this crater include hippos, hyenas, warthogs, zebras, elands, gazelles, wildebeests, just to name a few. This makes Ngorongoro Crater probably the best site in Tanzania to spot and watch the big five as well as other wild species more easily.

More on the Crater

The crater rim and its floor provide the best viewing and photographing opportunities. History records that the crater was the ideal spot on the planet where humans and nature interacted more closely than anywhere else; and today, one can glance at the settlements and cemeteries of the area’s earliest occupants.

Geological records show that the cone of the volcanic caldera collapses inwards, forming what is currently known as a crater. The site is named after a Maasai phrase, ‘orgirra le kkorongorro,’ which means “Big Bowl.” Earlier documentation of the area misspelled the word ‘kkorongorro’ into today’s Ngorongoro with its intricate depth ‘caldera/crater,’ resulting in Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is a peculiar geographical feature with diverse habitats such as grasslands, swamps, rivers, and woodlands; making it uniquely abundant in wildlife and vegetation. It is a natural formation that allows animals to wander in and out throughout the year freely. It is well-known for being a better place where local and international tourists can observe wildlife behavior more easily than any other place.

Geologically, the Ngorongoro Crater was formed approximately 2.5 million years ago when a massive volcano (nearly the size of the present-day Mt. Kilimanjaro) burst and collapsed as a result of continuous tectonic activities and movements. The area covers almost 260 square kilometers, has a diameter of approximately 20 kilometers, and is a massive volcanic caldera that collapsed to a depth of 610 meters.

What to expect during the year

The best times to visit Ngorongoro Crater are June to March when the peak season crowds have thinned and the dry conditions are still excellent for wildlife spotting. That said, Ngorongoro Crater is a year-round destination, where the wet seasons are great for photography and birding.

JANUARY – MARCH

There’s usually a break in the rains in January and February before the long rains begin in March. Migratory birds are in the region and photographic conditions are great, with lush landscapes and clear skies. There are also fewer tourists traveling to the region at this time.

APRIL – JUNE

April sees the most rainfall, at the peak of the long rains. They slow in May with afternoon showers that shouldn’t affect your safari too much. It’s a good time to avoid the crowds and have wildlife viewings to yourself. This is also the cheapest time to travel. June is dry and a great month to visit, just before peak season kicks off.

JULY – SEPTEMBER

It’s peak season in Tarangire, but this doesn’t affect Oliver’s Camp, given its location in a private concession. The dry conditions are perfect for spotting wildlife gathering around waterholes.

OCTOBER – DECEMBER

Why travel at this time

This a great time to travel. Peak season crowds have thinned out and the rates are lower. October is still dry. The short rains, which peak in December, revive the parched landscape, and the migratory birds begin to arrive from the northern hemisphere.