Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans from Serengeti National Park in the north, to the Great Rift Valley in the east. In total, the conservation area covers more than 8,000 km² (3,200 sq. miles). It consists of the Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu, Olduvai Gorge, Empakaai, Olmoti Crater and Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. The mix of forests, valleys, savannah, craters, lakes and swamps is home to a wide range of animals.
As one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders, NCA was universally recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 under the natural and cultural criteria owing to its global importance for biodiversity conservation, demonstrated by the existence of globally threatened species, the density of wildlife inhabiting the area, and the annual migration of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and other wild animals into the northern plains.
At its inception, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was primarily established as a multi-land use area, where wildlife could co-exist with the most dominant semi-nomadic Maasai residents, who always move from one place to another in search of water and pasture for their livestock.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is known to be a permanent homeland to multiple well-known ethnic groups who share distinctive customs and lifestyles, including the Hadza (Hadzabe), Datoga, and Iraqw. The Maasai people, however, are the most prominent ethnic group, who are thought to have migrated southeast from the Nile region in the 18th century.
The Maasai and Datoga are pastoralists, whereas the Hadzabe are hunter-gatherers and are not related to any of the ethnic groups in the area. They are an indigenous ethnic group found in the Lake Eyasi area, with a population of less than 1,000 people. Each of these tribes has its own way of life, with its own set of ancient traditions, mythology, tales, songs, and dances.
Activities
- Game Drives
- Walking and Trekking
- Cultural Tours
- Bird Watching
- Historical Tours
- Waterfalls
- Forest Walk
- Museum / Monument
Wildlife Highlights
- The Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, black rhino
- Large mammals – zebra, wildebeest, hippo, hyena
- Antelopes – gazelles, impala, eland
- 500+ birds – ostriches, crowned cranes, flamingos, secretary birds
- Primates – olive baboons, vervet monkeys
Olduvai Gorge
One of the world's most important paleoanthropological sites. Early human fossils discovered here have contributed significantly to our understanding of human evolution, spanning nearly four million years.
Cultural Diversity
Home to multiple ethnic groups with distinctive customs: the Maasai (pastoralists), Datoga (pastoralists), and Hadzabe (hunter-gatherers) – each with ancient traditions, mythology, tales, songs, and dances.
Ngorongoro FAQs
Everything you need to know about visiting the Ngorongoro Conservation Area – from the world-famous Crater and Big Five to Maasai culture, Olduvai Gorge, and practical safari planning.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected area in northern Tanzania that combines wildlife conservation with human habitation. It is home to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, diverse ecosystems, and the Maasai people.
It is located in northern Tanzania, west of Arusha and adjacent to Serengeti National Park.
Ngorongoro is famous for the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, and for its exceptional concentration of wildlife, including the Big Five.
Visitors may see:
- Lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, black rhinos
- Zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, hippos, gazelles
- Flamingos and numerous other bird species
The Big Five are:
- Lion
- Leopard
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Rhinoceros
Ngorongoro is one of the best places in Africa to see all five species in a relatively short time.
The Ngorongoro Crater is a massive volcanic caldera formed when a giant volcano collapsed millions of years ago. It is approximately 260 square kilometres in size and supports a rich variety of wildlife.
Yes. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its outstanding natural and cultural significance.
Popular activities include:
- Game drives
- Crater tours
- Cultural visits to Maasai communities
- Birdwatching
- Photography
- Nature walks in designated areas
- Visits to archaeological sites
The area can be visited year-round, but the dry season (June–October) generally offers the best wildlife viewing. The green season (November–May) provides beautiful scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Most visitors travel by road from Arusha, a journey of about 3–4 hours. Charter flights are also available to nearby airstrips.
Yes. There are lodges, tented camps, and campsites located on the crater rim and throughout the conservation area.
Yes. The conservation area is unique because wildlife and Maasai pastoral communities coexist within the same protected landscape.
More than 500 bird species have been recorded, including ostriches, crowned cranes, secretary birds, flamingos, and various birds of prey.
Olduvai Gorge is one of the world's most important paleoanthropological sites. Important early human fossils discovered there have contributed significantly to our understanding of human evolution.
A full-day crater safari is popular, but 2–3 days allows visitors to explore the crater, surrounding highlands, cultural attractions, and archaeological sites at a more relaxed pace.
Parts of the wildebeest migration pass through the conservation area, particularly in the Ndutu region during the calving season, typically from December to March.
Yes. The area is family-friendly and offers excellent wildlife viewing, educational experiences, and cultural activities suitable for visitors of all ages.
Recommended items include:
- Comfortable clothing
- Warm layers for cool mornings and evenings
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
Ngorongoro combines spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, rich Maasai culture, and globally important archaeological sites within a single protected area.
It offers one of Africa's most remarkable safari experiences, featuring dense wildlife populations, breathtaking landscapes, cultural heritage, and the iconic Ngorongoro Crater—all in one destination.
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