The Earth’s Largest and Most Perfect: Visit Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater

This highly visited African attraction is the world’s largest inactive, unbroken and unfilled volcanic caldera. So what’s a caldera?

One of the Seven

And more than that. The Ngorongoro Crater is listed as one of the seven natural wonders and is a UNESCO world heritage site together with two more craters in the region known as Elpakai and Olmoti.

The earliest human fossils were found in Ngorongoro Crater.

And it is home to over 300 species of East Africa’s animal kingdom including elephants, elands, hartebeests, gazelles and endangered rhinos. There are also resident zebras and wildebeests that do not take part in the annual migration. Hippos are found in the permanent freshwater pools and swamps in the Crater.  By April 2020 there were a total of 65-75 lions on the Crater floor.

What Does The Name Mean?

Nothing. It replicates the sound produced by the cowbell, according to the Maasai pastoralists (ngoro ngoro), who have lived there for centuries.

Where to Stay

On tour my group and I stayed at the amazing Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, which clings (literally) to the Crater Rim in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The lodge is built from local river stone and camouflaged with indigenous plants and vines. Designed to blend into the landscape, I can tell you that it’s invisible from the floor of the Crater.

It takes inspiration from the Cradle of Mankind, the pre-historic site of nearby Olduvai Gorge and another recommended tour stop.

Solo travel doesn’t always mean traveling alone and this is one trip that begs for the company, safety and shared dynamic of a group tour. There are many to choose from. More on this in a minute but first, if Africa is high on your bucket list, I recommend organized safari-style small group tours of East Africa, notably those offering destinations in Kenya and Tanzania. I traveled with Globus Journeys and you can click her for more information.

Pre-Dawn Decent

On our tour, we rose before dawn, heading out in groups of four visitors, a guide and a driver in each Jeep, descending into the crater in a thick fog which magically disappeared as the sun rose. Here’s a small sample of what we saw:

For astonishing sites like these, consider one of the many guided tours of Africa. I understand from my contacts that business is brisk after two years of Covid-induced hardship which saw many companies discontinue service. As in all tours, local knowledge important. Especially in a country as diverse and, in many areas, impoverished as Africa. Research your tour provider and read recent reviews on their services.

Read the Fine Print

Note that, in some locations, electricity may not be available twenty-four hours each day. If you use a CPAP machine, you may need to make special arrangements. And, if you have back or mobility issues, ask about the amount of time you’ll be spending in Jeeps. The rides can be rough as the journey are often off-road for hours. I packed a seat cushion for extra support. Also, check luggage requirements since you may be doing your own porterage. Often on short, in-country flights you’ll be hoisting a duffle from the Jeep to the tarmac and back so you’ll want something waterproof and sturdy with reinforced zippers. Update all required vaccinations and check to see if you’ll need a visa.

Then GO ON SAFARI!