Ngorongoro Conservation Area

🇹🇿 Tanzania

🦁 Lion's Throne in Ngorongoro
🌍 #8 Global · 4.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #5 in Africa #6 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Tanzania 1447 spp. recorded

Ngorongoro Conservation Area sits in northern Tanzania, centered on a massive volcanic caldera that cradles a tropical savanna plain. The crater rim drops steeply to grass‑covered floors dotted with acacia woodlands, creating a natural enclosure that separates it from surrounding parks.

-2.975° S   35.448° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare 5–15%
With luck 15–40%
Possible 40–70%
Likely >70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

50–60% · Likely
Black Rhinoceros ★
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

40–50% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest ★
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Plains Zebra
NT

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

50–60% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

50–60% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Thomson's Gazelle
LC

Thomson's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eudorcas thomsonii

50–60% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

50–60% · Likely
Grant's Gazelle
LC

Grant's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nanger granti

50–60% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

50–60% · Likely
Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

50–60% · Likely
Black Rhinoceros ★
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

40–50% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest ★
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Plains Zebra
NT

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Thomson's Gazelle
LC

Thomson's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Eudorcas thomsonii

50–60% · Likely
Olive Baboon
LC

Olive Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio anubis

50–60% · Likely
Grant's Gazelle
LC

Grant's Gazelle

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Nanger granti

50–60% · Likely
East African Giraffe

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

40–50% · Likely
African Golden Wolf
LC

African Golden Wolf

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis lupaster

40–50% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
Cheetah
VU

Cheetah

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Acinonyx jubatus

40–50% · Likely
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

50–60% · Likely
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

50–60% · Likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

50–60% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

50–60% · Likely
Speckled Mousebird
LC

Speckled Mousebird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colius striatus

40–50% · Likely
Kori Bustard
NT

Kori Bustard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardeotis kori

40–50% · Likely
Augur Buzzard
LC

Augur Buzzard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Buteo augur

40–50% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

40–50% · Likely
Common Ostrich
LC

Common Ostrich

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Struthio camelus

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Heron
LC

Black-headed Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardea melanocephala

40–50% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

40–50% · Likely
Greater Flamingo
LC

Greater Flamingo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phoenicopterus roseus

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama
LC

Mwanza Flat-headed Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama mwanzae

30–40% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

10–20% · Possible
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

10–20% · With luck
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

10–20% · With luck
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

10–20% · With luck
Dodoma Rock Agama

Dodoma Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama dodomae

10–20% · With luck
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

0–10% · With luck
Jackson's Forest Lizard
LC

Jackson's Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Adolfus jacksoni

0–10% · With luck
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

0–10% · With luck
Tanzanian Montane Dwarf Chameleon
LC

Tanzanian Montane Dwarf Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trioceros sternfeldi

0–10% · With luck
Common Long-tailed Lizard
LC

Common Long-tailed Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Latastia longicaudata

0–10% · With luck
Southern African Python
LC

Southern African Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python natalensis

0–10% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
Common Reed Frog
LC

Common Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius viridiflavus

Insufficient data
Nutt's River Frog
LC

Nutt's River Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Amietia nutti

Insufficient data
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Garman's Toad
LC

Garman's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani

Insufficient data
Müller's Platanna
LC

Müller's Platanna

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Xenopus muelleri

Insufficient data
Peters' Foam-nest Tree Frog
LC

Peters' Foam-nest Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis petersii

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Lion breeding peak

Feb

Male lions increase roaring and territorial patrols as females enter estrus.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Wildebeest calving season

JanFeb

Calving peaks, with thousands of newborn wildebeest attracting predators and birdlife.

Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Hippo breeding gatherings

AugNov

Hippos congregate in the crater’s waterholes for mating, leading to increased visibility.

Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
Lion
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
African Bush Elephant
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
Black Rhinoceros
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
Blue Wildebeest
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
Plains Zebra
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
Superb Starling
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
Spotted Hyena
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
African Buffalo
50–60
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
Egyptian Goose
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
Blacksmith Lapwing
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
Common Hippopotamus
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Thomson's Gazelle
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
Olive Baboon
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
Grant's Gazelle
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
Helmeted Guineafowl
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Speckled Mousebird
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🦌 Lion breeding peak
🦌 Wildebeest calving season
🦌 Hippo breeding gatherings

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦁 Lion's Throne in Ngorongoro

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
989
🐒 Mammals
257
🦎 Reptiles
151
🐸 Amphibians
50
1447 Total Species
841 Global average across 280 parks
48 Threatened 8 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
56%
📊
Coverage (340 species at ≥5% of 1447 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
23%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 mammal, 3 bird)
47% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
132 Global avg
256
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
14 Global avg
39
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
26 Global avg
31
⚖️

Ngorongoro Conservation Area or ?

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