A game drive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the best ways to explore wildlife in northern Tanzania. Ngorongoro is known for wide open landscapes and large numbers of animals and birds. Visitors explore the area using a 4WD safari vehicle, which is required because of rough roads and changing terrain.
Game drives in Ngorongoro Conservation Area are allowed in several zones. These include the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater, the crater rim, the areas around Lake Ndutu, the short plains west of the Gol Mountains, and the open plains that connect to the Serengeti Plains.
Crater rim game drive
A game drive along the crater rim gives visitors a clear view of the crater from above. This drive helps you understand the size and shape of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera before descending to the crater floor. Several viewpoints along the rim allow stops for photos and short breaks. From here, you can see forests, grasslands, and the lake at the bottom of the crater.
Ngorongoro Crater floor game drive
The crater floor supports more than 25,000 animals and many bird species. Early morning game drives are best because animals are more active at this time. Visitors have a high chance of seeing the African Big Five, which include lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and the endangered black rhino. Other animals commonly seen are zebras, wildebeests, hippos, hyenas, and gazelles.
Lake Ndutu plains game drive
Game drives around Lake Ndutu and the nearby plains are important during the wildebeest calving season. This happens from late February to early March. During this period, thousands of calves are born. Newborn wildebeests are able to stand and walk within minutes, which makes this area very active with both prey and predators.
Serengeti plains game drive
The grasslands outside the crater connect directly to the Serengeti ecosystem. Game drives here allow visitors to follow large herds of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles moving north in search of fresh grass during the great migration.
A guided safari walk on the crater rim can be added to your game drive for a deeper experience of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
