Ngorongoro National Park

Overview

Your first view of the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater will likely be from a forested lookout, where the vast caldera stretches out below in golden sunlight and drifting clouds. Enclosed by the lush, jungle-covered walls of an ancient volcanic caldera, Ngorongoro feels like a place straight out of legend. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations in Africa.

The crater floor is teeming with wildlife, offering one of the best chances in Tanzania to see the endangered black rhinoceros. It’s also one of the few places where all members of the Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino—can be spotted in a single game drive. Lions and Cape buffalo are particularly abundant throughout the year, making Ngorongoro a consistent highlight for any safari.

Info

Size: 8,300 square kilometres.
Location: Between Lake Manyara National Park and Serengeti National Park.
Best Time: Year round.
To Do: Game drives, Olduvai Gorge, visits to nearby Empakaai Crater or Olmoti Crater, and cultural visits.
Known For: Rhinoceros, the starting point of the Great Migration, and stunning views.

Details of Ngorongoro National Park

Your first glimpse of breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater is likely from a lush, forested viewpoint that opens up to a sunlit, cloud-kissed landscape below. Encircled by the dense green walls of the caldera, Ngorongoro feels like a scene from a mythical world. It's one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the rare black rhinoceros and is home to the entire Big Five, offering especially great sightings of lions and Cape buffalo throughout the year.

Thanks to its rich vegetation, wildlife thrives in the crater year-round. Many animals also join the Great Wildebeest Migration as it makes its way north to Kenya's Masai Mara. As you descend into the vast, collapsed caldera, you’ll quickly spot large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras—seemingly undisturbed by the ever-watchful eyes of hyenas, lions, and opportunistic jackals nearby.

At the heart of the crater lies Lake Makat, an alkaline lake where flocks of flamingos paint the shoreline pink. The nearby Ngorongoro Picnic Area features a hippo pool—perfect for observing these powerful animals while enjoying lunch. Along the crater’s forested edges, elusive leopards and black rhinos may occasionally be seen weaving through the dense foliage, while baboons forage playfully throughout the day.

Adding to the crater’s wonder, the Maasai people also call this area home. They live in harmony with the wildlife, tending their cattle and maintaining their traditional lifestyle. Nearby, you can explore additional attractions like Olmoti and Empakaai Craters, Lake Ndutu, and the striking Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano—ideal for day trips if you plan to extend your stay.