Crater floor spans 8,292 square kilometres

Home to 40 black rhinos

A volcanic caldera measuring

20 kilometres across

Famous for Black Rhinos

Ngorongoro is an onomatopoeic Maasai word for the noise made by the bells around the necks of cattle. Ngorongoro conservation area takes its name from its main feature – the Ngorongoro crater.

Over 600 metres deep, the majority of animals remain within the crater throughout the year, unlike other parks which are affected by high and low seasons.

The crater is home to mostly herbivore species, and large herbivores such as Cape buffalo, hippopotamus and the notoriously shy black rhino make their home there. Also found in the crater is one of the densest populations of east African lions, and occasionally ‘big tusker’ elephants are spotted.

The area is also home to many of the Maasai tribe, who have grazed livestock on the land for over 300 years. As you journey through the area, you will get a sense of the Maasai culture, passing by bomas (smallholdings) and seeing young men tend to their cattle in their characteristic colourful shukas.