Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Crater is a stunningly gorgeous site and the greatest place to observe the Big Five in East Africa. That is an excellent way to begin your African safari journey. Yet, being one of the world’s most amazing and well-known natural marvels, the Ngorongoro Crater does become crowded, and at times quite crowded. Because of the crowds, we recommend a two-night stay here before going on to the Serengeti for a more private, tranquil safari experience.
Every Northern Tanzania Safari should ideally include a visit to Ngorongoro Crater: it is one of the most magnificent natural wildlife safari destinations in the world and an outstanding area to meet with people from the Maasai tribe.
The Ngorongoro Crater and its surrounding mountains comprise one of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes. Volcanic craters provide spectacular settings to some of Africa’s most productive and wealthiest grazing lands. The most renowned of these craters is without a doubt Ngorongoro, the world’s biggest intact volcanic caldera and home to Africa’s highest density of big game. Ngorongoro is unquestionably one of Africa’s most famous safari locations.
Driving south from Arusha. Depending on the size of your group, it may be less expensive to share a private vehicle and guide from the time you arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport until you leave the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. If you are driving, it is vital to spend a night on either side of your crater descent, either in a camp on the crater rim or in the Ngorongoro Highlands, which is a 20-minute drive away. This means you can beat the throng by arriving early.
Flying out of Arusha. You may fly into Lake Manyara airstrip and be picked up by the camp if you are staying at a “fly-in” camp, which means your guide and vehicle are provided by your camp rather than a ground handler from Arusha. This is a fantastic option if your group is small, as flying is less expensive than driving from Arusha in a private vehicle. It is also required for some of the most expensive camps run by great safari firms, such as Nomad’s Entamanu or The Highlands Asila.
Because the fauna is mostly confined to the crater all year, there is no best or worst time to visit. Nonetheless, because the crater bottom may become congested with automobiles, it may be more enjoyable to visit during the off-season. Increasing water levels in Lake Magadi (in the Crater’s center) result in increased flamingo densities. You can count on terrific safari activities whenever you visit Ngorongoro. The beauty of a Ngorongoro safari is that it can be enjoyed all year round because of its distinct microclimate.
The Ngorongoro Crater, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was formed roughly 3 million years ago when a massive volcano burst and fell. The cone of the volcano caldera fell inwards and formed what we know today as one of the most distinctive safari parks in Africa, and indeed the globe. It of a kind safari spot filled with life.