View from the rim into the green floor of Ngorongoro Crater

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Ngorongoro Crater & Highlands

Map of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area showing Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Nyumba Camp and Gibb's Farm

Welcome to the Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro Crater, a natural paradise about three million years old, is 10 miles wide and 12 miles long. One of the largest unbroken calderas in the world, it’s home to 30,000 animals, including white rhino, elephant, hyena, lion, hippo, and flamingo. Steep, forested walls rise 2,000 feet above the crater floor, offering stunning views of the diverse landscape. Visitors can also spot the critically endangered black rhino, with about 30 inhabiting the crater.

Destination Highlights

  • Stunning Wildlife Encounters

    This area is home to the Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros) and over 500 bird species.

  • Panoramic Views

    This UNESCO World Heritage site offers visitors panoramic vistas and opportunities to observe fascinating ecosystems.

  • A Geological Wonder

    Created by the collapse of a massive volcano millions of years ago, Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a truly unique safari destination.

Zebras and wildebeest on a lakeshore with pink flamingos and crater walls behind

Rich with History

The lush, mineral-rich caldera attracts ungulates such as wildebeest, gazelle, zebra, waterbuck, and eland, and it’s one of the few places to see Africa’s Big Five in one day. The area hosts some of Africa’s largest elephants and active lion populations. Beyond the crater, Olduvai Gorge stands as a significant prehistoric site, with fossils discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey dating back nearly two million years. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers unparalleled access to both wildlife and ancient human history.

Row of canvas guest tents beneath acacia trees at Ngorongoro Nyumba

Where You’ll Stay - Nyumba Camp

Long dining table set with green glasses and beaded placemats at a Nyumba camp

Your camp is nestled in a forest of umbrella acacia trees, perfectly situated on the crater rim, offering easy access to the floor of Ngorongoro Crater. Enjoy top-notch service from the camp staff and cozy up by the campfire in the evenings.

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Safaris Visiting Ngorongoro Crater