Your first glimpse into the Ngorongoro Craters is nothing less than breathtaking. “It is impossible to give a fair description of the size and beauty of the Crater, for there is nothing with which one can compare it. It is one of the Wonders of the World…” once wrote Professor Bernhard Grzimek.

A UNESCO protected World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, this ancient crater is a sheltered haven for wildlife, harboring nearly all of East Africa’s iconic species. This remarkable and world famous geographic feature is considered a “caldera” – a collapsed volcano. In fact, the largest in the world with its walls intact.

The floor is an area of over 102 square miles which forms a perfectly preserved and self-contained habitat for a large number and variety of animal species. It is home to tens of thousands of plains animals, including wildebeest, zebra, gazelles, elands, and a large predator population of lions, hyena and jackal which can all be viewed at close quarters. The rare black rhino can be viewed here, and if you are lucky you can see cheetah and leopard. The large alkaline soda lake can be home to huge flocks of flamingos, a remarkable and unforgettable sight when in residence. Another 400 species of birds have been noted throughout the area.

Maasai tribesmen have traditional grazing rights here and they may be seen in their distinctive dress, tending their herds of cattle. The animals are not trapped in the crater, and there is some migratory movement in and out, but because of the protected nature of the habitat and the availability of grazing and water, much of the animal population remains resident year round. This makes Ngorongoro ideal for game viewing and has a unique almost magical atmosphere.

Highlights

World Heritage Site.
Eighth Natural Wonder of the World.
Olduvai Gorge.
Small park full of animals including, large bull elephants, black rhino and one of the densest population of lions.
Over 500 species of birds.