Ngorongoro Crater
Africa’s Garden of Eden – a lost world of extraordinary biodiversity.
264 km2
Crater Floor
19 km
Caldera Width
Since 1979
UNESCO
~25,000
Animals
~26 remaining
Black Rhinos
Year-round
Best Season
About Ngorongoro Crater
Africa's Greatest Natural Amphitheatre
The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most spectacular natural wonders on earth – a massive collapsed supervolcano 19 kilometres wide and 600 metres deep, forming a natural enclosure for some 25,000 large animals. The crater floor encompasses 264 square kilometres of diverse habitats: open grassland, acacia woodland, freshwater streams, marshes and the soda lake Magadi fringed with flamingos. It is the only place in Africa where you are virtually guaranteed to see a black rhino in the wild. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Wildlife
Animals You Will Encounter
- African Lion
- Black Rhinoceros
- African Elephant
- Cape Buffalo
- Hippopotamus
- Spotted Hyena
- Leopard
- Wildebeest
- Common Zebra
- Flamingo
- Blue Wildebeest
- Golden Jackal
Planning
Best Time to Visit
Best for rhino sightings and predator action. Animals concentrate around water sources. Clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
Lush vegetation, excellent birdlife and flamingos on the lake. Lower prices and fewer visitors. The crater is magnificent year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Visit?
Plan Your Ngorongoro Safari
Our local experts will design the perfect itinerary for your dates and budget.
Related Safaris
Quick Facts
- Crater Floor: 264 km2
- Caldera Width: 19 km
- UNESCO: Since 1979
- Animals: ~25,000
- Black Rhinos: ~26 remaining
- Best Season: Year-round