The famous Ngorongoro Crater is a World Heritage Site situated at the eastern edge of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania. The crater is the largest unbroken ancient caldera in the world. Nearly three million years old, the once-volcanic Ngorongoro is now considered “Africa’s Garden of Eden” – a haven for thousands of wild game, including lions, elephants, wildebeests, zebras, rhinos, Thomson’s gazelles and buffaloes.
World Heritage Site since 1979
Largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world
Phenomenal game viewing
Sparkling soda lake
Considered by some as the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World
The crater is ringed with steep walls and shelters forests,
grasslands, fresh springs and a large soda lake at its centre.
The Ngorongoro volcano before it exploded and collapsed 2 million
years ago, was one of the world’s tallest mountains. The
crater measures about 19 kilometres (12 miles) across and the
rim is 600 metres (2,000 feet) above the crater floor.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is inhabited by 30 000 animals,
all protected within the confines of the crater walls. Resident
zebra, wildebeest, Grants and Thomson’s gazelle are a
predator's dream. Tanzania’s few remaining black rhino
are protected and regularly sighted in the crater, as are large
herds of buffalo. Huge tusked elephants, black-maned lions,
cheetah and spotted hyena are also found, as well as thousands
of lesser and greater flamingoes in the soda lake.
The Maasai people live within the conservation area around the
crater. Known as nomadic herders and warriors, a visit to these
traditional, temporary villages “enkangs” is a highlight
for all visitors to the area. Get a glimpse of their fascinating
culture: see them in their bright red robes, watch as they create
ornate beadwork and how they live off the land by utilising
cattle. The nomadic Maasai have grazing rights of the Ngorongoro
Crater and treat cattle as a sign of wealth.
