Ngorongoro Crater
★ 4.9🇹🇿 NgorongoroSuggested visit 1-2 daysBest season June to September, the dry season, when animals gather at water
World HeritageWildlifeVolcanic landscape
The largest intact volcanic caldera in the world, about 19 kilometres across, with dense wildlife on its floor.
Overview
Formed by the collapse of a volcano about 2.5 million years ago, Ngorongoro is roughly 19 kilometres across and 600 metres deep, the largest intact caldera anywhere. Its floor covers some 260 square kilometres and holds about 25,000 large animals, including black rhino, lion prides, elephants and flamingos, making it one of East Africa's most reliable places to see the Big Five. It joined the World Heritage List in 1979.
History
The caldera formed some 2.5 million years ago, the conservation area was established in 1959 and inscribed with the Serengeti in 1979; Maasai herders still graze livestock here.
Highlights
- •The dense wildlife on the crater floor
- •One of the better chances of black rhino
- •Panoramas from the crater rim
- •Visits to Maasai villages
Practical tips
- •Crater floor visits are limited to about six hours, so start early
- •The rim is about 2,300 metres up and cold at night
Practical information
- Best time
- June-September
- Tickets
- Park fees about USD 70 per person per day plus vehicle charges
- Opening hours
- 6:00-18:00
- Local food
- Nyama choma, ugali, banana stew
- Getting around
- About three hours by road from Arusha to the crater rim.
- Visa
- A visa is required, available as an e-visa or on arrival.
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