The Ngorongoro Conservation Area

A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1979, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (commonly known as the Ngorongoro Crater) is home to the world’s largest caldera and the birthplace of the wildebeest, as well as being an important prehistoric area for the study of human evolution. Part of the Serengeti ecosystem, it is also home to many plant and animal species, short grass plains, highland forests and savannah woodlands, as well as the Maasai people.

Features:

The Ngorongoro Crater

One of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, the Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken caldera. Formed by the collapse of an ancient volcano, it creates a protected environment teeming with wildlife, including elephants, rhinoceros, wildebeest, cheetahs, and lions. The crater floor stretches almost 20km (20 mi) across, 600m (404 mi) deep and covers about 260 sq km (100 sq mi). It is surrounded by a rim of mountains that rise over 600 m  (2000 ft) above it, resulting in dramatic landscapes and spectacular photographic opportunities.

Ndutu Birth Place of the Wildebeest

Located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ndutu is renowned as the birthplace of the wildebeest. It is where the wildebeest linger to calve during their great migration so that the mothers can feed on the rich grass of this volcanic area. This takes place once a year from January to March. Lake Ndutu is a soda lake surrounded by swamps and woodlands as well as the Serengeti short grass plains. A must for the viewing of the incredible natural phenomenon of the Wildebeest with their new calves, it is also a prime spot for viewing the big cats and predators.

Oldupai (Olduvai) Gorge

Known as the Cradle of Mankind, the Oldupai Gorge in the eastern Serengeti is an important archaeological site where early evidence of Palaeolithic man was discovered in the 1930s. Here it was that man’s ancestors first started to use stone tools and evolved into Homo sapiens. See the fossilized footprints that revealed when pre-humans first walked upright, and a host of discoveries vital to our understanding of our evolution, as you enjoy the beauty of this age-old landscape.

Wildlife:

Black rhinoceros, cape buffalo, hippos, zebras, gazelles, waterbuck, and lions among others make their home within the crater and beyond.

Over 500 species of birds, including ostrich and white pelican, also inhabit the area.

Facts:

  • established in 1959
  • became a World Heritage Site in 1979
  • location: 180km (112 mi) west of Arusha in Northern Tanzania

Accommodations:

Campsites and lodges are available inside the park. Lodges and additional accommodations are available outside the park.

Add-ons Available:

Sample itineraries that include the Ngorongoro Crater:

Classic lodge safaris:

8 Day / 7 Night Lodge Safari
Kiligolf - Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

6 Day / 5 Night Lodge Safari
Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro - Serengeti

5 Day / 4 Night Lodge Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Tarangire

Lodge Safaris:

9 Day / 8 Night Lodge Safari
Arusha NP - Tarangire - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Lake Eyasi - Lake Manyara

8 Day / 7 Night Lodge Safari
Tarangire - Ngorongoro - Serengeti - Lake Natron - Lake Manyara

7 Day / 6 Night Lodge Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Tarangire - Arusha NP

5 Day / 4 Night Lodge Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater

4 Day / 3 Night Lodge Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro Crater

3 Day / 2 Night Lodge Safari
Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro Crater

2 Day / 1 Night Lodge Safari
Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro Crater

2 Day / 1 Night Lodge Safari
Tarangire - Ngorongoro Crater

Semi-Luxury Camping

9 Day / 8 Night Semi-luxury Mobile Camping Safari
Tarangire - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Lake Manyara

11 Day / 10 Night Semi-luxury Mobile Camping Safari
Arusha NP - Ngorongoro - Olkarien Gorge - Nasera Rock - Serengeti - Lake Manyara

Adventure Camping Safaris - North:

8 Day / 7 Night Safari
Tarangire - Ngorongoro - Serengeti - Lake Natron - Lake Manyara

7 Day / 6 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro -Tarangire - Arusha National Park

5 Day / 4 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

4 Day / 3 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

3 Day / 2 Night Safari
Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro

2 Day / 1 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro

2 Day / 1 Night Safari
Tarangire - Ngorongoro

6 Day / 5 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

6 Day / 5 Night Safari
Tarangire - Lake Manyara - Ngorongoro - Serengeti

5 Day / 4 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Tarangire

16 Day / 15 Night Safari
Lake Manyara - Lake Eyasi - Karatu - Ngorongoro - Nasera Rock - Seronera - Lobo - Piyaya - Natron - Longido - Ndarakwai

Signature Safaris

BEADS OF AFRICA
6 Day / 5 Night Signature Safari
Arusha NP - Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

ROMANTIC WARRIOR
11 Day / 10 Night Signature Safari
Arusha - Tarangire - Serengeti - Ngorongoro - Lake Manyara - Foothills of Mount Meru

VOGUE MAASAI
5 Day / 4 Night Signature Safari
Lake Manyara - Serengeti - Ngorongoro

WOOD COLLECTION
9 Day / 8 Night Signature Safari
Tarangire - Ngorongoro - Serengeti - Lake Natron - Lake Manyara

Get Your Free Quote

We can help you plan your dream african safari
Plus a free quote with no obligation.

Email Us