ngorongoro_crater

arusha, tanzania

The Ngorongoro Crater, located in Tanzania, is the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formed about two million years ago, the crater spans 260 km² and has a depth of 600 meters, creating a natural wildlife sanctuary. It is home to over 25,000 animals, including the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), cheetahs, zebras, hippos, and flamingos in Lake Magadi. The crater offers year-round wildlife viewing, with the best time being June–October for dry-season safaris. Entry fees are $70 per person, plus a vehicle fee, and it is best explored via game drives. The crater is a 3-hour drive from Arusha and is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which also includes Maasai villages and Olduvai Gorge, a key human fossil site.