Ngorongoro Crater Location

The Ngorongoro Crater is a massive, ancient volcanic caldera in Tanzania, renowned as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders for its breathtaking scenery and incredible wildlife density, housing the famous “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) and thousands of other animals in a unique ecosystem, making it a top safari destination within the broader Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  

Are you wondering where the Ngorongoro Crater location is? It’s situated right along Tanzania’s famous Northern Circuit route! Located in the northern part of the country, specifically west of Lake Manyara and Arusha, and southeast of the Serengeti, it’s a must-visit destination for tourists from around the world. It’s often explored alongside other legendary Tanzanian parks such as Tarangire, the Serengeti, and Lake Manyara.

The crater lies within the larger Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning over 3,000 square miles, which includes the Crater itself. This prestigious destination has been recognized for its rich ecological and biodiverse landscapes.

But its grandeur doesn’t end there. The Ngorongoro Crater is also celebrated as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders. It holds the title of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera, formed over 2 million years ago. Measuring about 12 miles in diameter and descending roughly 2,000 feet from rim to floor, the Crater is teeming with wildlife, including all of the Big Five.

The Crater is accessible to everyone around the world, though it does require some planning to reach it. Fortunately, we have created this essential guide to help you find its location, how to get there and why it’s such a magnificent place to explore.

 

 

What is the location of Ngorongoro Crater ?

Simply put, the legendary Ngorongoro Crater is situated in Tanzania’s north, along the famed Northern Circuit route, and sits boldly within the greater Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Let’s delve a little deeper and look at the specifics of where the crater is exactly located.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is found in the broader Arusha region. It lies around 112 miles (180 km) west of the city of Arusha, which is known to be the gateway city for safaris and is an ideal place to start your safari adventure.

Aside from Arusha, there are a few more well-known parks that Ngorongoro Crater is relatively close to. The Serengeti is positioned northwest of the crater (around 60 to 80 km or 37 to 50 miles away), and Lake Manyara lies to the southeast (around 60 to 70 km or 37 to 43 miles away). So, as you can see, it’s in a prime position to be enjoyed as part of the renowned Northern Safari Circuit.

The Ngorongoro Crater’s geographic coordinates lie around 3.2° South latitude and 35.5° East longitude. You are probably interested about the actual significance of these and how they may facilitate your journey. Their purpose is there to identify the exact location of the crater on the earth.

The latitude coordinates show that the crater is situated only a few degrees south of the equator, which also indicates that the climate here is typically warm and sunny. The longitude coordinates show that it lies comfortably within the Eastern Hemisphere. The unique mixture of the crater’s location as well as its elevation plays a key part in its thriving environment and biodiversity conservation.