Ngorongoro Crater National Park

Located in northern Tanzania within the Great East African Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a remarkable expanse that encompasses the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. This crater is renowned for hosting the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Encompassing an area of 260 square kilometers (100 square miles) featuring diverse micro-climates, it is inhabited by over 30,000 mammals. Among them, half consist of the graceful wildebeests and the distinctive zebras, and they share this habitat with a multitude of their predators, including majestic lions, swift cheetahs, elusive leopards, cunning jackals, and lurking hyenas. Additionally, a rich array of smaller mammals and bird species contributes to making this region a captivating destination for wildlife safaris in Tanzania.

The Ngorongoro Crater's unique topography is a result of the collapse of a two-million-year-old volcano, forming an unbroken, 600-meter-high (2,000 feet) rim that encircles a natural amphitheater. Within this geological wonder, the compelling drama of predator and prey unfolds on a grand scale. While the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an integral part of the Serengeti ecosystem, it was distinctively separated from the Serengeti National Park in 1959. This separation was deliberate, aimed at fostering the harmonious coexistence of human communities and their wildlife neighbors in this exceptional region.

The crater is often described as a natural amphitheater, and its high walls create a microclimate that supports a lush and fertile environment. This has led to the development of a thriving ecosystem with a dense population of wildlife, including the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceros), cheetahs, zebras, wildebeests, and many other species. It is considered one of the best places in Africa to observe these animals up close.

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