Ngorongoro Crater Rules and Regulations

Ngorongoro Crater rules and regulations are the various guidelines that all travelers who visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area ought to follow while in the conservancy. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the most sought after Tanzania safari destinations that travelers from all walks of life come to explore, to have a glimpse of the “Garden of Eden” teeming with an abundance of wildlife and scenic beauty. Ngorongoro Conservation Area has been on many occasions voted as one of the most beautiful Africa safari destinations, that it is even listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and an important UNESCO world Heritage Site.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a beautiful visit Tanzania safari destination inhabiting a great variety of wild game and amazing scenic beauty. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the home of the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest in-active caldera in the world which inhabits a wide variety of animals, birds and so much more. Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most visited parts of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, rewarding travelers with a wide variety of wildlife viewing.

The Ngorongoro Crater Tanzania inhabits a wide variety of wildlife, including all the five African big 5 animals. The Ngorongoro big 5 animals include lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants and the rare black rhinos.

Ngorongoro Crater Rules and Regulations
Ngorongoro Crater wildlife

It is because of the fact that the Ngorongoro Crater inhabits all the African big 5 animals that travelers add it to their Tanzania safari itineraries to tick off their animal list. Ngorongoro Crater inhabits over 25,000 animals, as well as over 500 bird species including the sought after Secretary Birds, among so many others.

With such a wide variety of attractions in Ngorongoro Crater and reasons to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, more and more travelers do visit the Ngorongoro Crater to take part in some of the Ngorongoro Crater activities like Ngorongoro Crater drives, guided walking safaris, cultural tours mong so many others.

While on Ngorongoro Conservation Area safaris, travelers have a number of rules and regulations that they ought to follow. These Ngorongoro Crater rules and regulations are put in place by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, the body responsible for the protection and conservation of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. These Ngorongoro Crater rules and regulations are put up to protect and conserve wild game and nature, as well as protect the visitors while out in the park. Below are the different Ngorongoro Crater rules and regulations that travelers ought to follow while on Ngorongoro Crater safaris;

  • Opening and closing hours of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is 0600 hours and 1800 hours, with the exception of the Seneto Descent Gate which closes at 1600 hours. Travelers should therefore plan their travel accordingly lest they get inconvenienced.
  • The Ngorongoro Crater access roads are to be used as; Seneto for descent only, Lerai for ascent only but travelers should still be aware of occasional descending safari vehicles, and Lemala (Sopa) road which is used for both descent and ascent.
  • Safari vehicles should keep to authorized roads and tracks. Off-track driving is strictly prohibited unless authorized.
  • The speed limit to be maintained is 25km per hour in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Only safari vehicles equipped with standard safari equipment are allowed in the Ngorongoro Crater. The equipment include heavy-duty jack, chain or rope, shovel or hoe and an axe or panga.
  • No more than 5 vehicles should be around an animal or kill.
  • All visitors to the Ngorongoro Crater and Oldupai Gorge must be accompanied by a licensed guide.
  • Standing vegetation in Ngorongoro Conservation Area must not be damaged, removed or uprooted in the conservancy.
  • Do not collect or remove any animal product, rocks, plants, seeds or bird nests; live animal, insects, birds or reptiles. Do not touch them as this is left to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority.
  • Do not light or cause a fire in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area as fires damage wildlife.
  • Campfires must not damage vegetation, should not be allowed to spread and must be completely and correctly extinguished after use.
Ngorongoro Crater Rules and Regulations
Game Drives in Ngorongoro
  • Smoking in Ngorongoro Conservation Area is not allowed unless in designated areas. Be sure to put out the cigarette but properly after use.
  • Littering in Ngorongoro Conservation Area is prohibited. Keep all your rubbish including food wraps until you reached a rubbish can or area.
  • Do not remove or disturb geological or archaeological deposits with in the Oldupai Gorge.
  • Pets are not allowed in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Noise is prohibited in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Honking, radios, music players, or noise from speaking loudly is not allowed especially if in close proximity with animals.
  • Do not make hand signals, or mimic animals.

The above are the various rules and regulations in Ngorongoro Conservation Area that travelers and all visitors ought to follow while in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to protect themselves but above all nature and wildlife in Ngorongoro Conservation Area for future generations to come.

book a trip