Ngorongoro Crater

Why Visit: Explore the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera—often called the 8th Wonder of the World—home to one of the densest populations of large wildlife anywhere on Earth.

Ngorongoro Crater is a natural amphitheater formed by volcanic collapse. Its 2,000-foot-high rim encircles a nearly 10-mile-wide crater floor, creating a unique ecosystem that supports abundant wildlife year-round. The crater and its surrounding conservation area are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wildlife Highlights

Within the crater’s boundaries, you’ll find approximately 20,000 large mammals including elephants, black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, buffalo, eland, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, waterbuck, warthog, and gazelle. Predators like lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and jackals are common sights, with elusive species such as leopards, servals, bat-eared foxes, and honey badgers occasionally spotted.

Unique Ecosystem

Ngorongoro is a microcosm of the vast Serengeti ecosystem, featuring five distinct habitats:

• Lerai Forest: Tall yellow-barked acacia trees shelter the crater’s only leopards, baboons, vervet monkeys, and rare giant tusker elephants. Early mornings are best for leopard sightings here.
• Lake Magadi: This soda lake attracts thousands of migratory flamingos when filled with water, transforming into a striking white plain in dry seasons.
• Swamps: Seasonal wetlands provide habitat for hippos and water birds.
• Short Grass Plains: Grazed by wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle.
• Longer Grasslands: Favoured by buffalo and smaller carnivores like the serval cat.

Changing Wildlife Dynamics

The crater’s wildlife populations have shifted over decades. For example, wildebeest numbers declined after the 1970s while buffalo populations rose, partly due to changes in traditional Maasai land management. These fluctuations affect predator populations and the overall ecosystem balance, making Ngorongoro a dynamic and ever-changing wilderness.

Predator Sightings

Ngorongoro boasts the second-best carnivore viewing in Tanzania. It’s common to see lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and jackals hunting on the plains. Four lion prides and six hyena clans call the crater home, all descended from a small group that survived a biting fly plague in 1961.

Plan Your Safari with Daigle Tours

Daigle Tours offers tailored safari packages that include Ngorongoro Crater as a highlight. Our expert team can customise your itinerary to maximise wildlife encounters and cultural experiences across Tanzania’s iconic parks. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable safari adventure.