Ngorongoro Crater

Not surprisingly, the Ngorongoro Crater allows for some amazing views, as you gaze over this extinct volcano from high up on the Crater rim. Far below it is possible to make out the spots of animals as they go about their daily tasks of grazing and not being eaten. With some lodges being built right into, and on top of, the rim of the Crater, the rooms command spectacular views over the Crater and beyond.

The resident population of game is estimated at over 20 000 animals. Packing this amount into a volcanic crater would make you think they'd all know each other by name! It is often difficult to look in any direction without seeing some sort of wildlife, and you should be able to get some great lion, cheetah, and black rhino sightings in particular. The Ngorongoro Crater is the best park in Tanzania to find the black rhino.

The Crater is only accessible during daylight hours, and theoretically for only 6 hours at a time, although this rule is seldom enforced. Most itineraries will be arranged with you leaving your lodge very early, and entering the gate soon after opening time, around sunrise. The drive down the steep walls is exciting, and the full morning will be spent navigating the roads covering the floor, enjoying the scenery and numerous wildlife sightings. Lunch is usually spent at a picnic site, before the game drive winds its way back up the walls, and to your lodge for a late afternoon rest while admiring the views.

Walking is not allowed inside the Crater itself, however, many lodges offer guided nature walks along the Crater rim, or the surrounding forests. These walks take in wonderful, lush scenery, and sometimes allow you sightings of some of the larger game which feed in the area, such as elephants and buffalo.

The centre of the Ngorongoro Crater floor is taken up by Lake Magadi (or Lake Makat), a soda lake fed by water from the Munge River, which flows from the nearby Olmoti Crater. This lake is the habitat of many water birds, especially flamingoes, and also supports most of the wildlife of the Crater. Excellent sightings of birds, plains game and predators are often made around the lake and its marshes.