Ngorongoro Crater

• Natural World Heritage Site
• Archeological treasure 
• Fantastic game viewing

The Ngorongoro Crater has been described as one of the places everyone should visit at least once in their lives. This awesome natural World Heritage Site is home to huge animal numbers, spectacular scenic beauty and one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites.

The greater Ngorongoro Conservation Area includes the crater, which is one of the largest inactive and unflooded volcanic calderas in the world, as well as the Empakaai Crater and Oldovai Gorge, the famous geological and palaeotological site.

The walls of the Ngorongoro Crater rise up to 600m high and the grassy plains of the crater floor stretch on for about 264km². Within the crater, more than 30 000 animals roam, among which are the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant.) The nearby Lerai Forest, is well known as a good place to see leopard.

Special Features Include:

• Archaeology
  There are a number of sites in the Ngorongoro Conservancy that are of prime importance. According to UNESCO, the four major sites are: Olduvai gorge, Laetoli, Lake Ndutu and the Nasera Rock Shelter. Studies here are conducted into early hominids. Olduvai Gorge has produced remains of Australopithecus boisei (Zinthanthropus) and Homo habilis. At Laetoli, fossil hominid footprints have also been found. Bones of extinct animals have also been uncovered at these sites
  
• Maasai
  One of the most unusual features of the Ngorongoro, is that the local Maasai tribe graze their cattle on the cattle floor, surrounded by wild animals. The Maasai in their traditional red robes, can be seen everywhere in the Ngorongoro Conservancy Area and it is possible to visit their homes for an inspiring, cultural experience