The Ngorongoro Crater.
Ngorongoro Crater is an absolutely beautiful place compared to most of other places. Unavoidably, the Ngorongoro Crater is busy, at times very busy, but given it is one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders, is the best place in Tanzania to see the ‘Big Five'(Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, and Buffalos ). However, due to the crowds we recommend 2 or 1 night stay only, after that the safari time should be spent in the Serengeti.
A trip to northern Tanzania has to include the Ngorongoro, it is an exceptional place to interact with the Masaai and is one of the most beautiful natural wildlife safari sites in the world.
The advantage of staying at a hotel on the Crater rim is the view, the advantage of staying away from the Crater at nearby Karatu is that there are less people around, the lodges are smaller and more personal offering a range of activities such as walking and mountain biking.
The Ngorongoro Crater and surrounding highlands are one of Africa’s most beautiful regions. Volcanic craters form astonishing backdrops to some of the richest grazing grounds in Africa. The most famous is without question the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera; home to the highest density of big game in Africa. With 600 metre high walls and a rich volcanic floor that plays host to the big five, the Ngorongoro is one of the Africa’s most famous safari destinations.
In Ngorongoro expect to see
The big five. A healthy population of black rhino and some of the largest tusker elephants left in Africa today are the prize spots, but the Crater is home to strong populations of lion, leopard and hyena along with good herds of wildebeest, buffalo and zebra. Other game in the Ngorongoro includes serval cat, cheetah, jackal, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelle, flamingo and bat eared foxes along with approximately 400 species of bird.
Ngorongoro Crater: What activities are on offer
Activities in the Ngorongoro Crater itself are limited to game driving only. There are also picnic spots in the park. When you include the surrounding Ngorongoro Conservation area, a full range of activities are on offer including walking, trekking, visiting the Masai and other tribes and Olduvai gorge.
Ngorongoro Crater: When to visit.
Since the game stays in the crater all year, there really is no good or bad time to be in the park. However, given that the crater floor can be busy with vehicles the low season months can be beneficial. There is also something to be said for the fact that more water in Lake Magadi (in the center of the Crater) results in higher flamingo concentrations, but travelling to Ngorongoro at any time of year will guarantee great game.
Ngorongoro Crater: An overview of where to stay
The question here is whether you stay on the Crater rim or off the crater rim, in the Ngorongoro highlands. The Ngorongoro crater lodge is world class and is by far the best hotel on the Crater rim, though bit high cost, The Serena Lodge and the Sopa Lodge are much more affordable options and have equally stunning views of the Crater floor, their negatives being the fact they are large and fairly old hotels.
Staying away from the Crater rim in nearby Karatu area, in the highlands, opens up the option of big range of prices of lodges and guesthouses. These cost slightly differ or approximately the same price as the Serena and Sopa but have undeniably more charm, although without the amazing Ngorongoro views.
