Encounter Africa’s Iconic Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater

Nuzzled in the center of Tanzania lies the Ngorongoro Crater — a hotspot for wild animals with nature in full bloom.

A spectacular place where wild species roam freely across the sweeping landscapes, in a setting that can only be described as a natural masterpiece.

As you gaze across the expansive caldera, cast your eyes on the roaming elephant herds, powerful lions, vibrantly colored zebras, and spotted cheetahs that move through the grasslands and savannas.

Every moment within the crater will offer magical encounters with its varied wildlife.

Whether this is your first time reading about the crater or you are an avid safari enthusiast, Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most incredible places to visit on the whole continent of Africa.

Within this article, I will outline how you can best enjoy its iconic wildlife and why this region is so fantastic to visit:

You can observe the Big Five in one day

The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places in Africa where you can spot all of the Big Five in one day’s safari. The Big Five consist of lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos, and the black rhino. Even though the Ngorongoro Crater region does a stellar job of keeping the area protected, the Big Five animals are still very much in danger: lions and leopards are classified as vulnerable, elephants are endangered, and the black rhino is critically endangered, with only around 55 individuals left in the crater.

The positive news is that the crater provides an ideal home for them. With a thriving ecosystem that supports and nourishes its wildlife, it sustains them for a healthy life. The diverse environments are ideal for the Big Five — grasslands, swamps, forests, year-round lakes, along with plenty of prey species and shelter — making the crater one of the best places where the Big Five can flourish.

Enjoy its wildlife-rich seasons

During a typical year, the Ngorongoro Crater experiences a wide variety of seasonal changes to enjoy — each season shapes what wildlife you will see and encounter. Calving season commences between January and February, offering breathtaking sights of many baby animals and calves being born. Migratory birds arrive between March and May, adding vibrant colors to the crater. June to October is ideal to observe predators in action as grasses are short and hunts happen regularly on the open plains. Towards the end of the year, migratory birds return to the crater, completing the circle of life. Each season is rich in wildlife offerings, making every month special to visit.

Spot its rare and endangered wild animals

The Ngorongoro Crater is a sanctuary for wild animals, especially for its rare and endangered species that find refuge within its walls. Among the rare and endangered animals are the black rhino, African wild dog, cheetah, African elephant, and leopard. All of these species have many obstacles to overcome in the quest for survival, with poaching and habitat loss being two of their main threats. Aside from elephants, sightings of cheetahs, African wild dogs, and rhinos are rare; nevertheless, the Ngorongoro Crater remains an important refuge for their survival. On a single day’s safari in the crater, you will have an excellent chance to see most of these amazing wild species.

Observe the drama of a kill

Ngorongoro Crater is home to a high population of predators padding across its basin floor, including leopards, lions, jackals, hyenas, cheetahs, and servals. During the dry season, when the grasses are short and wildlife is easily seen, visitors have a wonderful chance of seeing many of them in action — hunting and even killing. From lions ambushing their prey to cheetahs chasing gazelles, observing a hunt is a fascinating experience to watch, offering an insight into the raw reality of nature.

Capture detailed photography

One of the crater’s highlights is its confined space coupled with its high concentration of wild species. This mixture gives visitors an excellent advantage for spotting an ample number of wild animals, including the Big Five, offering the rare opportunity to take close-up shots of the animals that reside within its towering cliffs. Ngorongoro Crater is known to be a photographer’s paradise for this very reason. Whether you’re taking images from the crater’s rim with clouds floating by or capturing images from the crater floor of its rare and majestic wildlife, there is an abundance of endless photos to take — not forgetting the diverse landscapes and unique habitats, all of which add drama and magic to every picture.

Glimpse into wildlife behaviour

The crater’s protected ecosystem is exceptionally unique, having flourished from the remains of a collapsed caldera millions of years ago. Its volcanic soil is extremely fertile, nurturing the crater’s varied landscapes and habitats. This environment has supported its inhabitants for decades, allowing them to thrive off its blossoming ecosystem. The crater sets the stage to watch, learn, and observe how these magnificent species live alongside each other within such a small space, gaining insights into social dynamics, interactions, hunting, hiding, and foraging for food. A safari in Tanzania would not be complete without visiting Ngorongoro, where observing its wild animals provides a perfect combination to learn as well as connect with nature in the most magnificent way.

This article was written by Kate, Founder Of BornWild Adventures. Lead Image: A large group of flamingos are standing in the water, Ocean of flamingoes, Serengeti, Tanzania, Africa; Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania; Published on April 20, 2024; SONY, ILCE-7RM5.