Ngorongoro Crater
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Ngorongoro Crater Highlights
This is one of the most magnificent tourist destinations in Africa unparalleled in its distinguished scenic beauty, wildlife and atmosphere. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is an area situated 180km west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands region of Tanzania.
Land in the conservation area is multi-use, it is unique in Tanzania as the only conservation area, providing protection status for wildlife whilst allowing human habitation. The NCA is usually visited on the return journey from the Serengeti to Arusha. Stunning views and unique landscape are a certainty when visiting this spectacular region.
What Sun Safaris Says
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most spectacular and unique game reserves in the world. It should be included on every safari itinerary to Tanzania. It is easily accessible by road or short flight from Arusha town and naturally forms part of the "northern safari circuit" which also include Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti.
Visits to the Crater floor are restricted to half day visits to allow for the large numbers of visitors who all want to see this small reserve. It is easy to cover the entire reserve in the half day allowed. Most camps then provide walking trips on the rim of the crater for the rest of the stay.
There are no camps on the Crater floor. All camps are either on the rim of the Crater or on the outer slopes of the Crater. The views from the camps along the rim of the Crater spectacular, and it is highly recommended to spend some time relaxing and taking in the views and doing some bird spotting. Birds of prey can often be seen floating over the crater.
The best lodges on the outer slopes of the Crater are Gibb's Farm and Plantation Lodge. These are both working coffee plantations allowing guests to experience a different side of Tanzanian life.
Ngorongoro Crater Game Viewing and Activites
A population of about 25,000 large animals, including the highest density of mammalian predators in Africa, lives in the crater. These include black rhinoceros, hippopotamus which are usually very uncommon in the area. There are also wildebeest, zebra, eland, Grants and Thomson's gazelles.
The crater has the densest known population of lion. On the crater rim are leopard, elephant, mountain reedbuck and buffalo. Lake Magadi, filled by the Munge river in the centre of the crater is, like many in the rift valley, a soda lake supporting flocks of flamingo and a variety of other water birds;. More than a 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater including; ostriches, kori bustards, secretary birds, and crowned cranes as well as vultures, egrets, herons and geese.
The rainy season lasts from November through to May, with the dry season running from June through to October. June and July are the coldest months of the year. The rim of the crater is often shrouded in dense cloud that pours over the crater into the vastness below.
Comfortable
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena offers 75 stylish rooms situated around the crater rim. Each room offers a private terrace offering spectacular views of the caldera.
Plantation Lodge
Plantation Lodge is situated on the outer slope of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Gibbs Farm
Gibb's Farm is situated on the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater and offers magnificent views of the surrounding farmlands. Gibb's Farm is a working farm and the forested slopes to the rear of the farm are home to a variety of wildlife.
Luxury
Premier
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge offers a combination of modern luxury and traditional old Africa in classic Maasai mud-and-stick-style suites. It has one of the best views of any game lodge in Africa.
