Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro
Protecting the Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest intact caldera, the UNESCO-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area is known for its wildlife density. A game drive in the park heightens your chances of spotting creatures ranging from zebras and gazelles to lions and wild hunting dogs. If you're lucky, you may spot an elusive black rhino.
The basics
Encompassing a large swath of savanna hemmed in by high crater walls, this expanse is home to about 25,000 animals. While some creatures spend part of the year in the crater—passing through on the annual great migration between Tanzania and Kenya—many spend their whole lives here.
You can experience the Ngorongoro Crater on a private or small-group day tour from Arusha or Moshi (be prepared to get up early). However, many travelers visit the park on a multi-day safari adventure that combines game drives in other nearby spots such as Lake Manyara National Park, Tarangire National Park, and the Serengeti.
Things to know before you go
Most tours include picnic lunches, so wear sunscreen and good footwear for when you’re outside of your vehicle.
You won’t see giraffes inside the crater, although you may see some at the rim.
You can't step out of your vehicle during your game drive, so use the restroom before you descend into the crater.
If your phone doesn’t have a good zoom function, consider bringing a camera with one to get good shots of the animals you see.
How to get there
The Ngorongoro Crater is about a 4-hour drive from Arusha or Serengeti National Park or around a 5-hour drive from Moshi, near Kilimanjaro. The easiest way to visit is by booking a safari tour—most depart from Arusha or Moshi and generally include round-trip transportation directly from your hotel or guest house.
When to get there
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a year-round destination, though many people prefer to visit in the June–September dry season, when the grass is shorter and there's less chance of fog at the crater rim. Shorter grass makes it easier to see smaller animals, such as lions. However, this time of year also gets plenty of crowds. For a quieter experience, consider visiting toward the tail end of the rainy season, in May.
Lake Manyara National Park
On the way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area from Arusha and Moshi, Lake Manyara National Park draws in birdwatchers, particularly in summer when migratory birds flock there en masse. It's also known for its abundance of tree-climbing lions, who hunt their prey from perches in acacia trees.
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