This extinct volcano offers, arguably, the finest wildlife viewing in Africa. Its combination of abundant animals (including rare species such as black rhino and cheetah) and awesome scenery will impress even a seasoned safari traveler. The completely intact rim of the crater rises 1,800 ft/600 m above the floor, which is 12 mi/19 km across (102 sq mi/264 sq km). With the passage of time, the floor of the crater has become grassland with a lake in the middle, and it has a high concentration of hippo, elephant, lion, jackal, wildebeest, hyena, zebra, eland, Cape buffalo and a wide assortment of colorful birds, including a large flock of flamingo. Because of the number of tourists passing through the area (at times there seem to be more Land Rovers than wildlife), the animals are not timid, and they seldom run away as your vehicle nears. Indeed on one trip there, a pride of very hot lions flopped down in the shade of our Land Rovers and were close enough for us to hear them panting in the heat. It is mandatory to have a guide to enter the crater (and well worth the price), and most people visit on a half-day safari. Take warm clothing—the elevation at the rim is about 7,800 ft/2,375 m, so you'll need more than a sweater for evening and early-morning animal viewing. Stay at one of the lodges on the crater rim, where you'll have a great view and spot the animals as dots on the crater floor. Or take a tent tour that sets up at the Simba Campsite also on the crater rim—you'll long remember the sound of animals going about their nighttime business just outside your tent. 360 mi/580 km northwest of Dar es Salaam.
