Found in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area near Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the world’s largest unbroken, inactive, and intact volcanic caldera, which is often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The Crater Experience
Formed over 2 million years ago, the crater floor is approximately 20 kilometres in diameter and 600 metres deep, creating some kind of self-contained ecosystem that supports over 30,000 thriving wildlife populations, which include the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), making the crater one of the best places in Africa for Big Five sightings.

Some of the crater’s wildlife sightings include: giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and  the black rhino population, which is more easily seen here compared to all Africa’s national parks. Flocks of flamingos also paint the shores of Lake Magadi pink, the crater’s soda lake.

Cultural Experiences
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the Maasai people, who have coexisted with the area’s wildlife for centuries. Cultural visits to Maasai villages offer insight into their pastoralist lifestyle, traditions, and the challenges of living alongside wild animals.

How to Get There
The crater is approximately a 3-4 hour drive from Arusha via the town of Karat to the main entry gate; this is the most scenic route. Charter flights are also available to the nearby Lake Manyara airstrip, and this takes about 35 minutes, followed by a 1-2 hour drive to the crater.

When to Go
The dry seasons (June-October and January-February) offer good visibility for wildlife sightings as animals gather around the crater’s water sources. However, the crater is accessible all year-round and can be visited at any time.