Blueprint of EdenThe Ngorongoro Crater, declared a World Heritage Site in 1978 and international Biosphere Reserve in 1981, is the largest intact volcanic caldera in the world. It measures about nineteen kilometers in diameter and has crater walls up to 610 metres in height. There are few wildlife places that have such a great diversity of landscapes existing in a region this size. The walls of the Ngorongoro Crater are covered with dense forest and the crater floor has a diverse range of habitats - open grassland, forests, wetlands/marshes and a permanent saline lake.
The NCA also holds great archaeological importance with excavations carried out by the Leakeys in the Olduvai Gorge. Discoveries have unearthed important information regarding the evolution of the human species. 25 000 animalsThere are an estimated 25 000 mammals which are resident in the Crater. The nutritious grasses and permanent water in the crater provide nutritious grazing for the large herds of resident wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, hippo and Thompson gazelle found here. Troops of baboon and monkeys are also common. Highly endangered black rhinos are often sighted in the open grasslands.
Large numbers of predators are highly visible in the crater. Lions, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals can usually be spotted but other predators are more elusive. Lion are very nonchalant about vehicles and will often seek shade under the safari vehicles. Leopards are often seen in the vicinity of the Lerai Forest and crater. Giant elephant tuskers make impressive sightings but there are no breeding herds or female elephants in the crater. Lake of fireThe saline waters of Lake Magadi (also known as Lake Makat), attract both the lesser and the greater flamingo. Other bird species include the ostrich and the Kori bustard. The lake can be full of water or an expanse of white soda depending on the season. The large seasonal swamps are excellent for hippo and many species of water birds. Game drives in paradiseIt is possible to circumnavigate the crater a few times in a single game drive. The early morning game drives are excellent for seeing wildlife as the animals tend to be more active at this time of the day. The views into the crater during the descent drive are spectacular. Game drives are accompanied by very knowledgeable guides and the vehicles are closed-sided safari vehicles with pop-top roofs – designed especially for game viewing.
Ngorongoro Crater is a year round destination. Most of the wildlife is resident and the animals do not follow any significant migration pattern.
Although games drives are the main activity, there are also other activities on offer. Guests can experience beautiful walks around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This usually involves a short drive, where you will meet up with a park ranger. Together with your guide you will enjoy a 2-3 hour walk. There is a walk around the crater rim which takes three nights, sleeping in temporary fly camps.
Empakaai Crater is a 90 minute drive from the Ngorongoro Crater. A soda lake covers half of the caldera and you should see thousands of flamingos in the shallows of the lake. A 45 minute walk down the forested slopes into the crater floor is not to be missed. Another alternative is to climb Ol Doinyo Lengai, ‘the Mountain of God’, with Maasai guides. Land of the MaasaiAway from the Ngorongoro Crater, the Maasai people pursue a traditional lifestyle. The Maasai are allowed to take their animals into the Crater for water and grazing, but not to live or cultivate there. Guests are welcomed into the Maasai cultural bomas and this experience provides a great insight to their lives and customs. Getting to NgorongoroThe Manyara airstrip is closest to the Ngorongoro Crater. The drive from Lake Manyara to the Crater will take about two hours. There is a small airstrip on the Crater Rim, but there is often thick cloud cover here, so this is not often used. See Ngorongoro Crater safari options | 
