Ngorongoro Conservation Area

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

HIGHLIGHTS

World’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera

Teeming with robust populations of wildlife in such a small area

UNESCO World Heritage Site

BEST TIME TO GO

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is pretty much a year-round travel destination. However, during the dry season (June through September), grass on the crater is short, making it easier to spot wildlife.

BEST WEATHER

The best weather for a Ngorongoro safari is during the dry season which typically runs from June to October

WORST WEATHER

The rainy season (March and April) can hamper several outdoor activities, so this period is not usually ideal

BEST TIME

The best time to visit Ngorongoro for safari is from June to October (dry season) and the shoulder season from January to February

HIGH SEASON

Ngorongoro’s high season falls between June and October. There’s usually lots of visitors and park fees tend to be higher

LOW SEASON

March and April make up the low season, which sees fewer park guests and usually lower fees

ABOUT NGORONGORO

Nestled 180 km west of Arusha in the crater highlands of Tanzania, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the Serengeti ecosystem with a landscape of 829,200 hectares. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, the famous Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest inactive and empty volcanic caldera formed 2 to 3 million years ago.

With over 25,000 large animals and a wide variety of bird species, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area lives up to its reputation for incredible wildlife viewing. Home to wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and Thompson’s and Grant’s gazelle, you can spot the herds journey from the crater rim across the base in long columns. Also visible are the black rhinos in the bushes and old elephants with long majestic tusks around the Gorigor swamp. Pride of lions prowls the plains while leopards lurk in the Lerai forest.