The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is the largest unfilled inactive volcanic crater in the world and the setting for an amazing wildlife safari.

he Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a protected area and a World Heritage Site located 180 km (110 mi) west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. 

The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtakingly beautiful setting and the best place in Tanzania to see the Big Five. However, as one of the world's most astonishing and renowned natural wonders, theNgorongoro Crater does get busy, and at times very busy. 

There are luxury lodges situated within and outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Names and contacts of those lodges are:

• GIBB'S FARM 
  Reservations:
  P. O. Box 280, Karatu
• THE OCTAGON SAFARI LODGE
  Reservations: 
  P. O. Box 129 Karatu
• ACACIA FARM LODGE *****
  Reservations:
  P. O. Box 277 Karatu
• GANAKO LUXURY LODGE ****
  Reservations:
  P. O. Box 15 Karatu
• Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge
  Box 776, Arusha
  Tel: (255.27)2503339 or 2504619, Fax: (255.27)2503339
• Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
  Box 2551, Arusha
  Tel: (255.27) 2537050 or 2537052, Fax: (255.27) 2537056
• NGORONGORO SOPA LODGE
  Box 1823, Arusha
  Tel: (255.27) 2537032/3, Fax: (255.27) 2537033
• NGORONGORO WILDLIFE LODGE
  P.O. Box 877 Arusha
  Tel: 255 27 2537058, Fax: 255 27 2537073
• NDUTU SAFARI LODGE
  Box 6084, Arusha
  Tel: (255. 27) 2506702 or 2508930, Fax (255.27) 2508310
• NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE
  P. O. Box 751 Arusha
• LAKE MANYARA SERENA LODGE
• LAKE MANYARA HOTEL
• NGORONGORO FARM HOUSE
• KIFARU LODGE
  P. O. Box 12 Karatu, P. O. Box 1187 Arusha
• E UNOTO RETREAT
  P.O. Box 15234 Arusha
  Tel: +255 44 360908
  Email: Eunoto@maasaivillage.com
  Web: www.maasaivillage.com
• BOUGAINVILLEA SAFARI LODGE
  P. O. Box 342 Arusha
  Tel: +255 27 253 4083, Mobile 0754 327142
  Email: bougainvillea@habari.co.tz 

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The star attraction of the Conservation Area is the Ngorongoro Crater: an extinct volcano teeming with wildlife often compared to the Garden of Eden. Wildlife viewing in the crater is out of this world. All major animals are easily seen. The only exception is giraffe, which is present in the Conservation Area, but not in the crater because of the steep descent. Elephantare common, including some very big tuskers. All big cats can be spotted, and the density of spotted hyena is quite extraordinary.

Best Season to Visit

RAINY SEASON (NOVEMBER TO APRIL)
The short rains are from November to December and the long rains from February to April, the latter generally being considered the off season. However, the rainy season is a very exciting time of year as this is when animals congregate on the Short Grass Plains to have their young. Late February, early March is usually a good time to see the migration on the plains. In turn, this attracts large number of predators and results in spectacular interactions between predators and prey. Keep in mind that part of the Serengeti Plains fall within the NCA.

DRY SEASON (MAY TO OCTOBER)
The dry season holds its own beauty. In Africa the dry season is the best time for game viewing because the animals are concentrated along permanent water sources. Within the Crater game viewing is excellent during this time. However, keep in mind that the Short Grass Plains become completely devoid of game during this season. This is the best time of the year to visit Empakaai and Ndutu, which has resident game that remains around the lake all year round.