Ngorongoro Crater

A Prehistoric Wildlife Eden
Formed from a collapsed volcano over 2 million years ago, the Ngorongoro  safari destinations. This massive caldera stretches 19 kilometers wide and creates a natural enclosure for over 25,000 animals, including the rare black rhino.
The lush crater floor is ideal for game drives, with incredible scenery and concentrated wildlife that makes for easy sightings. It’s also rich in history nearby Olduvai Gorge is known as the “Cradle of Mankind” due to early human fossil discoveries.

Highlights:

Home to Africa’s densest population of large mammals

Exceptional chance to see black rhinos and tusker elephants

Scenic views from the crater rim lodges

Combine wildlife viewing with archaeological exploration at Olduvai Gorge

Accessible year-round and ideal for short safaris

Visitors can also enjoy hot air balloon safaris, camping, and photographic safaris

Accommodation

Several luxurious accommodation options are available within or near the Ngorongoro Crater, offering stunning views and high-end amenities. Some of the most notable include:

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge,
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge,
The Manor at Ngorongoro

Access

However, as the Ngorongoro Crater is only a 3.5hr road trip from Arusha, many travellers prefer to make the final transfer to their accommodation at the crater or in the nearby town of Karatu by road.

Location

The Ngorongoro Crater is located in northern Tanzania, specifically within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The conservation area borders Serengeti National Park to the west and Lake Manyara to the south. Arusha, a major safari hub, is about 180 km (110 miles) east of the crater.