INCREDIBLE NGORONGORO
It's one of East Africa's most spectacular destinations
There is nowhere on earth quite like the Ngorongoro Crater. A wildlife haven encircled by towering volcanic walls, this natural amphitheatre offers one of the most spectacular safari experiences in East Africa. A jewel in the crown of Tanzania’s northern safari circuit, Ngorongoro’s appeal lies in its sheer density of wildlife, breathtaking scenery and deep historical significance, making it an unmissable stop for those who want to immerse themselves in the story of Africa.
Let's start with how to say this amazing name! It's pronounced "Ungoro-goro" and it's thought to be named after the word the Maasai use to describe the sound of the bell that hangs around the lead cow in their herds.
Formed some two to three million years ago when a colossal volcano collapsed in on itself, the Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact caldera, stretching 20km across with walls rising over 600m. The result is a perfectly enclosed ecosystem that supports an astonishing diversity of wildlife, with permanent water sources ensuring that many species remain here year-round.
This makes it one of the few places where visitors can reliably spot the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino - on a single game drive. The resident black rhino population is particularly noteworthy, given the species’ precarious status elsewhere in Africa.
The crater floor is a world unto itself, comprising golden grasslands, fever tree forests, freshwater lakes and soda pans that attract flamingos in their thousands. Predators thrive here, with some of Tanzania’s highest densities of lions patrolling the plains, while spotted hyenas and jackals stake their own claim to the bounty of prey on offer. Grazers abound, from immense herds of wildebeest and zebra to eland, Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelles, and even the occasional oribi. Out on the Gorigor Swamp, pods of hippos wallow contentedly, their grunts carrying across the still waters, while African fish eagles patrol the skies.
Beyond the crater itself, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area extends over vast expanses of highland forest, sweeping savannah and dramatic escarpments. It serves as a critical migration corridor, linking the Serengeti’s short-grass plains with the Maasai Steppe, ensuring that vast herds can move freely in search of grazing. The broader landscape also supports some of East Africa’s most unique ecosystems, including the montane forests that cloak the slopes of the crater rim, home to bushbuck, blue monkeys and a vibrant array of birdlife.
Yet Ngorongoro’s significance extends beyond its wildlife. The region is one of the most important archaeological sites on the planet, preserving the deep history of early humanity. At Olduvai Gorge, just west of the crater, pioneering discoveries by Mary and Louis Leakey uncovered fossilised hominin remains dating back nearly 2-million years, fundamentally altering our understanding of human evolution. A visit here provides an extraordinary perspective on the continuity of life in this ancient landscape, from early hunter-gatherers to today’s flourishing ecosystems.
For those in search of a safari destination that offers both supreme game viewing and a profound sense of place, Ngorongoro is unrivalled. The interplay of wildlife, dramatic scenery and history creates a setting where every moment feels like a scene from a bygone era, untouched by time.
This is Tanzania at its most extraordinary - an irreplaceable link to the past and a sanctuary for the future. With Leadwood Holidays, exploring Ngorongoro means experiencing East Africa in its purest, most timeless form.
