NGORONGORO CRATER

The Biosphere Reserve of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers 8 300 square km (3 204 square miles) in Northern Tanzania. This reserve was specifically planned to accommodate both the traditional Maasai communities and tourists. The original volcano which may have been higher than Kilimanjaro, collapsed in on itself and now forms a perfect basin. The caldera, measuring 18km (11miles) in diameter, lies 500m (1640 feet) below the rim, which towers above it at about 2 200meters (7 217 feet) above sea level.

Ngorongoro Lake Magadi

LAKE MAGADI

Witness thousands of pink flamingos preening and reflecting in the still waters – a fantastic sight. A blue-green algae flourishes in the alkaline waters and is the sole source of food for the thousands of flamingos that can be found here. The flamingos travel in and out of the crater at night, and you may hear them honking like geese as they fly overhead. Many different animals can be found along the lakeshore including rhino, eland and lion. The lakeshore is also a good place to spot golden jackals which regularly hunt the flamingos.

Ngorongoro Central Plains

CENTRAL PLAINS

The central plain is an ideal game viewing area. Cheetahs can occasionally be seen but often fall prey to lions and hyenas, which the nervous and fragile cheetah is no match for. You’ll probably see at least one pride of bloated lions lying on their backs, paws in the air, stuffed and totally damaging their noble image as the King of the Beasts.

Ngorongoro Elerai Forest

ELERAI FOREST

The magical Elerai Forest is a special refuge for many different species of animals. Look for sly leopards perched high in the tree boughs, hiding in the leaves and dappled light. Also, watch for massive bull elephants ambling through shady thickets. Elerai is a Maasai word referring to the tall yellow barked acacias. These beautiful trees are old, gnarled by years of growing back the bark stripped off by elephants. The forest is also a special bird habitat, providing food and nesting sites for hoopoes, cuckoos and weavers.

Ngoitokitok Springs

NGOITOKITOK SPRINGS

Stretch your safari legs and listen to the grunts of the local hippos at this scenic spot. Ngoitokitok is the name for the springs that bubble forth is such abundance that a small lake has formed before spreading into the nearby Gorigor Swamp. A small rocky outcrop with a single fig tree adorns the lake edge and offers a wonderful photographic backdrop. The grassy strip around the lake is a popular resting area and a lovely spot for a bush picnic, but beware of the large brown hawks that swoop down to snatch unattended food.

Ngorongoro Gorigor Swamp

GORIGOR SWAMP

Gorigor Swamp is a refuge for elephants and hippos, as well as a profusion of water birds. The swamp is a vast area that is fed by Ngoitokitok Springs and runoff from the crater walls. The area is a regular haunt for serval cats and also for lions and hyenas which use the thick cover to ambush other animals when they come to drink. The area to the northwest of the swamp is favoured by the crater’s black rhino population, and it is a particularly good location to get close-up photographs of this critically endangered species.

Ngorongoro Munge Stream

MUNGE STREAM

This scenic and meandering stream provides water and forage for a host of animals. The Munge stream cuts through the crater wall and wanders across the floor of the crater before emptying into Lake Magadi. Leopards are very elusive, but the best place to see them is in the trees that line the stream. Further upstream where the stream flows through the Rumbe Hills, there are large herds of buffalo and flocks of crowned cranes. Beautiful fig trees mark the border of the stream offering scenic backdrops for photography.

Tripadvisor Reviews

  • star rating  A once in a lifetime experience - Anne was the best tour organiser She was very patient and worked with me to figure out the best safari format on a very short notice.
    The experience... Read more

    avatar thumb Sabine G
    4 March 2026
  • star rating  One in a lifetime Safari with local tour provider  - I came across Long Way Expeditions from responsibletravel.com when looking for a travel provider that was local and eco-conscious. We promptly heard from Ann, one of the owners, and after... Read more

    avatar thumb Lauren L
    21 February 2026
  • star rating  Amazing and best safari ever  - This was my best safari by far,and I have done many. I found Longway expeditions through Responsible travel. From my very first contact with Ann, I found her... Read more

    avatar thumb Aziza63
    12 November 2025
  • star rating  Trip of a lifetime with Longway Expeditions  - We have just returned from a 19 day safari in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. We wanted to work with a local company and were so fortunate to find Ann and... Read more

    avatar thumb Jennifer B
    26 October 2025
  • star rating  Superb experience  - This is a local business owned by Ann and Abu. Arranging our trip with Ann was perfect. We gave our budget, listed our interests and Ann suggested a bespoke... Read more

    avatar thumb Sonya A
    12 October 2025
  • star rating  Excellent safari experience for our Anniversary!  - We celebrated our 30 year anniversary on Safari in Tanzania. Anne and Abu took such great care of us. We initially planned a Kilimanjaro hike, but knee problems... Read more

    avatar thumb BWCA4me
    30 August 2025
  • star rating  Unforgettable Safari with Long Way Expeditions - From the start, Long Way Expeditions stood out as the best choice for our safari. Led by the wonderful local couple Anne and Abu, they were professional, responsive, and deeply... Read more

    avatar thumb Stay43535134030
    24 August 2025
  • star rating  Amazing personalised safari led by experienced locals  - Having engaged with a few providers when researching, it quickly became clear that Longway Expeditions was the right choice and they were amazing from start to finish, going above and... Read more

    avatar thumb Victoria B
    14 August 2025

You should always book where you feel in good hands. And that’s guaranteed to be the case at Long Way Expeditions as we are a fully registered company with 5-star TripAdvisor reviews from 100% of previous guests.
As a family-owned small business that prioritises slow travel and personal connections, we’re so proud to say all our guests go home satisfied.