The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact and unfilled volcanic caldera, and the main attraction of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Renowned for its spectacular scenery and remarkable wildlife density, it is the largest and most breathtaking crater in the region. Recognized as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, the crater captivates visitors with its extraordinary natural beauty.

Often referred to as a natural wildlife sanctuary, the Ngorongoro Crater is home to over 25,000 animals, including the iconic Big Five — elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, lions, and leopards. Other species thriving within the crater include hippos, hyenas, warthogs, zebras, elands, gazelles, and wildebeests, among many others. This rich concentration of wildlife makes Ngorongoro one of the best places in Tanzania to easily spot and observe the Big Five and a wide variety of other animals in a single game drive.

Geological studies reveal that the crater was formed when a massive volcano collapsed inward, creating the vast caldera seen today. The name “Ngorongoro” is derived from the Maasai phrase “orgirra le kkorongorro,” meaning “Big Bowl.” Early records misspelled “kkorongorro,” which eventually evolved into the name Ngorongoro Crater as we know it today.

Ngorongoro is also globally recognized for its unique natural ability to preserve both wildlife and important archaeological discoveries related to early human history.

Beyond the crater itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers other remarkable attractions, including the Shifting Sands, Olduvai Gorge, Empakaai Crater, Ndutu Plains, and the famous Laetoli Footprints.