The name ‘Ngorongoro’ has its origin in the language of the Maasai tribe, the region’s indigenous inhabitants. The area is renowned as the “crown jewel” of the Serengeti, offering a panoramic view that overlooks a steep drop of 2,000 feet (610 meters) and spans an area of 260 square kilometers (100 square miles) to its volcanic caldera crater floor. The caldera was formed over 3 million years ago due to a volcanic eruption that caused the land to collapse, creating this distinctive geological feature now home to over 25 thousand resident animals, including the African “Big Five”.

Ngorongoro Crater is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of the world heritage sites. It’s unique ecosystem is defined by the rim of the Great Rift Valley wall escarpment that makes it difficult for animals to migrate easily from the crater’s natural enclosure. Its unique 100 square mile caldera floor’s eco-culture is home to most of the animal species found in East Africa.

More than 25,000 resident animals inhabit Ngorongoro Crater. In the grass steppes and acacia forest you can encounter almost every animal species of the East African savanna, including the ““Big Five”” (rhino, elephant, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard). Its diverse species of wildlife drink from Lake Magadi that is on the crater floor formed by other water sources in the crater that flow into it.