The Ngorongoro Crater is the word largest intact volcanic caldera.
Physical Features:
The crater currently stands as the world largest inactive, intact and unfolded volcanic caldera at 610m deep and 20km wide. The formation of the crater and surrounding highlands are a result of the massive rifling occurred to the west of the great rift valley. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area also includes Empakai Crater and Olduvai Gorge, as well as the surrounding highlands forests, which are our essential water source for nearby agriculture communities, its signature Ngoitokitola Spring and Lake Magadi is often covered in a shroud of pink flamingo making this a must-see destination for birds and photographers.
Wildlife
Due to the crater abundance in water and reach soils, it’s no surprise that this area continuously proves to be a heaven for variety with wildlife. This African garden of Eden is home to more than 20,000 large mammals through a small number of animals do migrate in and out of the area. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded within the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Among them are the great white pelican, tremendous and lesser/flamingo, rupell griffon vulture, vareaux eagle, Egyptian vulture, kori bastard, finches loveberds and eastern double collared sunbird, water back, bushback and eland commonly found in the Lerai Forest and the adjoining Gorigor Swamp is the best place to see large tusked elephants who dominate the area, the high endangered black rhinos which have been pushed to the edge of extinction due to poaching, can still be found on the crater floor, the predator mammals that can commonly see are lions, hyenas, as well as leopard.
Things to Do
Guided walk at the crater rim
This is a favorite activity that is typically arranged on the day you descend to the crater floor for game drive, as most of our guests choose to stay on the rim of the crater. Request a guided walk in the afternoon, which will allow guests to stretch their legs, and to see wildlife on foot. A park ranger along with your safari guide will guide the commonly seen animal around the craters as elephants, African cape buffalos as well as small antelope in the area.
Recommended Lodges
- Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
- Rhino Lodge
- Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
- Gibs Farm
- Plantation Lodge
- Farmhouse Kitela
- Endoro Lodge.