If you were given the chance to discover elephants, buffalo, leopard, lion, and rhino inside the caldera of a 3 million year old volcano - would you take it?

After a 40-minute drive, you'll arrive at the Ngorongoro Crater rim. It's an early start, you want to get to the crater early for the best wildlife and photography opportunities. En route, you'll spot zebra and other plains game.

Soon, the grasslands turn to mountain forest as you being the descent from the crater rim. Once you reach the bottom, you spend the day on a game drive around the 300km crater floor. You have the opportunity see the Big 5 and many roaming predators.

Wildlife at Ngorongoro >>

Variations in climate, landforms, and altitude produce a range of habitats that can support a variety of wildlife, and has led to a network of overlapping ecosystems.

The crater basin is covered with fresh water and alkaline lakes, marshes and swamps. These alkaline lakes attract flamingos, which number in their thousands during the wet season.

The crater is home to some 30,000 animals, some of which migrate here during the Great Migration, and others that stay here year-round.

The rich, volcanic, fertile soil of the crater hosts plenty of wildlife in the dry season, including warthog, impala, and buffalo. These prey in turn attract predators, including lions, hyena, cheetah, leopard, wild hunting dog and golden cat. Honey badgers, jackals, foxes, and ostrich can be found here year-round. A high population of cheetahs and lions can be found in the Lake Ndutu region west of the crater.

The crater is also home to over 500 species of bird, including the Rüppell’s Griffon vulture.

The rarest animals found here are the black male lion and the black rhino. Interestingly, there are no giraffes in the crater; it is thought that they cannot get up the steep sides..

Hiking In

The Ngorongoro

Crater

Step into one of Africa’s most extraordinary landscapes with an unforgettable hiking adventure in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken volcanic caldera on earth, home to breathtaking scenery, diverse wildlife, and rich Maasai culture.

Unlike traditional safaris, our guided hiking tours let you experience Ngorongoro on foot, walking along ancient trails with panoramic views that will leave you speechless. Accompanied by expert rangers and Maasai guides, you’ll explore lush highlands, encounter wildlife up close, and discover hidden viewpoints far beyond the reach of vehicles.

🌿 Highlights of Ngorongoro Hiking:

• Scenic rim walks with dramatic crater views.

• Full-day hikes to Empakaai Crater, where flamingos decorate the soda lake.

• Multi-day treks across the Ngorongoro Highlands leading to the mystical Lake Natron.

• Cultural encounters with the Maasai, learning their traditions and way of life.

• An eco-friendly adventure that connects you directly with nature.

Whether you choose a short trek or a multi-day journey, Ngorongoro hiking is the perfect way to combine wildlife, adventure, and culture in one magical experience. It’s not just a hike—it’s a chance to walk through one of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes in Africa.

THE EMPAKAAI CRATER HIKE

If you are planning a safari to Ngorongoro National Park, you probably have a ton of questions. Naturally, you want it to be the journey of a lifetime and it will be. Why? There are only few places left with such unspoilt nature splendor, exhilarating wildlife and world-class safari lodges & camps.

Plus, we are here to assist. We would like to provide a bit more background information - if only to stir the anticipation of going on a Ngorongoro

safari – and answer the questions you might have. Start drafting your bucket list as you read more about your safari trip in the sections below. Find a question unanswered? Make use of the contact form below and we will be happy to assist you!

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