Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) is a well-established wildlife management entity under the Tanzanian government. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) is a state-owned organization under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism and was established to preserve, conserve, protect, and manage the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
(also known as NCA).

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is in northern Tanzania. It’s home to the vast, volcanic Ngorongoro Crater and “big 5” game (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino).

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) was once a part of the Serengeti National Park. In 1959, the two National Parks were split into two designated Protected Areas.
As one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, NCA was universally recognized as a UNESCO World
Heritage in 1979 under the natural and cultural criteria owing to its global importance for biodiversity conservation having demonstrated by the existence of globally threatened species, thedensity of wildlife inhabiting the area, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other wild animals into the northern plains.
It covers 8,292 square kilometers and it is located 180 km west of Arusha in the “Crater Highlands” area of Tanzania.

This protected area is named after the Ngorongoro Crater, there are nine craters in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Ngorongoro crater is the largest and most visited. Most important Crater including:

The Ngorongoro Crater: A massive caldera formed by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago, whose peak collapsed about 2,5 million years ago, before it collapsed, geologists estimate, its height was about 4,587 meters above sea level. The collapse created the current caldera: a truncated cone with a diameter up to 20 km (12 miles) with raised edges reaching about 610 metres (2000 feet) over the ground (the largest unbroken and unfilled volcanic caldera in the world). It is home to over 25,000 large animals including some of the last remaining black rhinos in Africa, with the exception of the giraffe (which does not find food here).

The Empakai Crater: A smaller caldera known for its breathtaking views and beautiful flamingo-filled lake.

Olduvai Gorge: A significant archaeological site where fossils and ancient artifacts have been discovered.

Best time to visit Ngorongoro and weather

Ngorongoro Conservation Area can be visited at any time during the year because even in the humid season the rains are not heavy and nature is wonderful.

The busiest period is the dry season, from July to October when the animals are concentrated around the water points and the less dense vegetation allows easy spotting.

If you wish to witness the Great Migration, the best time is from late December to early March when the herds move from Central Serengeti to South Serengeti and Ndutu Area in Ngorongoro.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to a wide variety of attractions like: Endoro waterfalls, Olkarien gorge, Olmoti Crater, Ndutu plains, Nasera Rock and more.

The Area also offers a variety of activities (all activities must be authorized by NCAA) to enjoy, including: Game drives, Walking safaris, Guided Nature walks, Cultural tours, Camping, Hot air balloon, Photographic safari, Biking, Bush dining and many more… Ask and book with us for a lifetime experience!

About Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Size: 8,292 kmq; Crater is 264 kmq and 610 meters deep
Location: Northern Tanzania, 180 km from Arusha (3-3,5 hours by car)
Crater size: 260 sq. km of surface
Crater diameter: 22.5 Km
Altitude inside the crater: 1730 meters (Lake Magadi)
Max visiting time: 6 hours inside the crater