About
The Ngorongoro Crater lies in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in the Arusha Region of northern Tanzania. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the world's largest inactive volcanic caldera, a vast bowl formed when an ancient volcano collapsed and left its basin behind. Some visitors also know the area as the Garden of Eden or simply as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
What to expect
The crater floor is one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in Africa. Within its walls, animals gather in large numbers around grassland, lakes and marshy ground, so a day spent looking across the basin often brings sightings that are close together and easy to watch. The setting also means that the landscape changes little from one hour to the next, making it a good place for slow, patient observation with a camera or binoculars.
The area is also home to Maasai pastoral communities, whose herding life has long been part of the region. Their presence adds a human dimension to a visit, and it is a reminder that the conservation area is shared land as well as a protected one.
Planning a visit
- The crater is part of a conservation area, so it is best approached as a full day out rather than a brief stop.
- Wildlife is the main draw, and the landscape is best appreciated from the rim and the floor alike.
- For details on arrangements, the site can be reached by telephone at +255 27 253 7006.
Visitors interested in the wider Arusha Region will find that the crater is one of several places in northern Tanzania that combine landscape, wildlife and local culture within a short journey of one another.
