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Ngorongoro Crater

Ngorongoro is the world’s largest unflooded, intact caldera. Grasslands, stream-fed swamps and forests occupy the of crater floor, 1600 ft fleet below the crater rim. Located between Serengeti and Tarangire National Parks in Tanzania, Ngorongoro quite possibly has the largest permanent concentration of wildlife in Africa, and because there's a permanent water source, game-viewing is excellent year-round. In addition, it's among the best places to see black rhino in East Africa. It's also good for spotting elephant, waterbuck, leopard, hippo, and reedbuck. There are about 400 bird species within and around the crater.

The crater floor itself only occupies 102 mi² of the entire 3200 mi² conservation area (an UNESCO World Heritage Site). Because it's neither a national park nor private reserve, many Maasai tribesman reside in villages throughout the conservancy. Herdsman occasionally even bring their cattle to graze on the crater floor. Attractions outside of the crater include Olmoti and Empakaai Craters, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Oldupai Gorge (site of some of Mary Leakey’s archaeological discoveries), and the Shifting Sands.

Several camps and lodges are located on the crater rim. Numerous lodges and hotels are located in Karatu, the closest town to the park entrance.

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