Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

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.

Ngorongoro Crater borders the Serengeti National Park to the north and west.

A few hours drive to the east takes you to the town of Arusha which nestles at the foot of Mount Meru, within view of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arusha is known as the gateway to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Northern Parks.

The crater (610 metres deep and 260 km squared) is a microcosm of East African scenery and game and is usually visited on the way back from the Serengeti to Arusha. Scenic grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the world. All the lodges are built high on the crater.

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.

The nomadic Maasai have grazing rights of the Ngorongoro Crater and treat cattle as a sign of wealth.