Ngorongoro National Park Overview

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania is one of Africa’s most famous safari destinations. It is home to the vast volcanic Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that shelters Africa’s Big Five — elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos — together with wildebeests, zebras, and many species of birds. Unlike many other safari areas, Ngorongoro is also a place where wildlife lives alongside the semi-nomadic Maasai people, who graze their livestock in the same area as the wild animals.

The name Ngorongoro comes from the Maasai word describing the sound of a cowbell, ngoro ngoro, reflecting the strong pastoral connection between the Maasai people and the land.

What Ngorongoro is Famous For

Lake Magadi

Located inside the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Magadi is a shallow alkaline lake that attracts thousands of pink flamingos. Lesser flamingos, with their red bills, feed on algae, while greater flamingos add to the beautiful scenery.

Lerai Fever Tree Forest

This beautiful forest of yellow-barked acacia trees provides a home for elephants, rhinos, elands, bushbucks, and many bird species, making it one of the most biodiverse areas within the crater.

Olduvai Gorge & Laetoli

Near Ngorongoro, the world-famous Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli are important archaeological sites where ancient hominin fossils and tools dating back millions of years have been discovered. These sites provide valuable information about the history and early evolution of humans.

Shifting Sands

The Shifting Sands are unusual volcanic dunes formed from ash produced by Ol Doinyo Lengai. These black sand dunes slowly move across the plains at around 15 meters per year, creating a rare and fascinating natural wonder.

Olmoti & Empakaai Craters

Beyond the Ngorongoro Crater, Olmoti Crater offers peaceful grasslands and streams that form waterfalls, while Empakaai Crater has a deep soda lake that is often surrounded by flamingos.

Gol Mountains

The remote Gol Mountains offer a dramatic wilderness landscape with pink cliffs. They also serve as a bottleneck for the annual Great Migration of wildebeests and zebras as they make their return journey to the Serengeti.

Nasera Rock & Salei Plains

Nasera Rock is both an archaeological site and a wildlife habitat for baboons, klipspringers, and various bird species. Nearby, the Salei Plains and Ol Karien Gorge are important nesting areas for vultures, especially during the Great Migration.

Oldeani Mountain & Lake Eyasi

The bamboo-covered Oldeani Mountain supplies streams that support the Lerai Forest. Nearby, Lake Eyasi is home to the Hadzabe people, traditional hunter-gatherers who continue to depend on the natural environment for their way of life.

Ol Doinyo Lengai & Lake Natron

To the northeast, the sacred volcanic mountain Ol Doinyo Lengai, known as the “Mountain of God” by the Maasai, rises above the Great Rift Valley. Its recent volcanic activity and its location near Lake Natron create a dramatic and impressive natural landscape.

Activities in Ngorongoro

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities, including:

• Game drives inside the Ngorongoro Crater

• Photography safaris and scenic picnics

• Birdwatching at Lake Magadi and surrounding forests

• Nature walks and hikes to Empakaai Crater and Olmoti Crater

• Cultural visits to Maasai villages

• Hot air balloon safaris for a bird’s-eye view

• Exploring Olduvai Gorge and archaeological sites

• Hiking in the Gol Mountains and climbing Ol Doinyo Lengai

Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro

The best time to visit Ngorongoro National Park is from June to October, during the dry season when wildlife viewing is at its best and game drives are less affected by muddy conditions. The wet season, from November to May, brings green and beautiful landscapes as well as migratory birds, making it a good alternative for travelers who prefer fewer crowds.