The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is one of the most spectacular natural sites in the world. A view of the species-rich natural world heritage site is like a view of the whole of Africa. Here you will find everything about the fascinating region on the edge of the Serengeti.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a collapse crater in Tanzania, located right on the edge of the Serengeti. With an area of over 26,000 hectares, the world’s largest crater basin offers a habitat for around 25,000 different animals all year round. Ngorongoro was formed when a volcanic mountain collapsed here.
Huge biodiversity in the Ngorongoro Crater
There is hardly any place in the world where the animal population is as dense as in the Ngorongoro Crater. Lions, wildebeests, elephants, zebras – it seems as if everything that Africa stands for in its beauty comes together here. A very special place in the heart of the crater is Lake Magadi. The shimmering white lake, whose alkaline water is due to deposits of volcanic ash, is home to a number of waterfowl, especially during the rainy season. You can also observe pink flamingos among others at the many tributaries. It was not for nothing that the area in the heart of Africa received the UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1979.
This special natural monument was once also home to people. Paleontological sites show human remains dated to 3.6 million years before our time. The Maasai settled here around 200 years ago. Today you can see people marveling here mainly from safari jeeps and landcruisers.
Africa in a nutshell
When you look down from the crater rim into the Ngorongoro area, it seems as if you have the whole of Africa in view. The breathtaking natural sites and fascinating biodiversity of the Ngorongoro Crater attract over 200,000 safari tourists every year.
It is a compressed Africa if I can say. Wide grasslands, dusty paths, swamps and lakes. Roaming herds of wildebeest, running zebras, grazing buffalo and basking prides of lions – when you go on safari in the Ngorongoro, you should have more than just a camera with you. No motif without animals, no kilometer without a perfect African panorama.
The climate in the crater is unique and varies on the different altitudes. Where it is often hazy and humid at higher altitudes – for example on the mighty mountains Oldeani or Makerut – it can be dry and significantly warmer in the lowlands. The rainy periods also vary greatly. In the west near the Serengeti there is an annual precipitation of about 700 millimeters. In the highlands, the number is around 1,400 millimeters.
Safari on the edge of the Serengeti comes with several options
The range of safaris in the World Heritage Site is almost as large as the variety of animals. Various guides around the crater area offer smaller day tours as well as one-week and multi-week tours. Everything is included here – from simple, spartan safari equipment to luxury trips including overnight stays in exclusive lodges and camps. The prices for a safari in the Ngorongoro vary greatly.