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Our Team Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.
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Our Tour Experts We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a conservation area situated west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the Serengeti ecosystem, and to the north-west, it adjoins the Serengeti National Park and is contiguous with the southern Serengeti plains, these plains also extend to the north into unprotected Loliondo division and are kept open to wildlife through trans-human pastoralism practised by Maasai.
The south and west of the area are volcanic highlands, including the famous Ngorongoro Crater and the lesser-known Empakai. The southern and eastern boundaries are approximately defined by the rim of the Great Rift Valley wall, which also prevents animal migration in these directions.
Why visit the Ngorongoro Crater
The region is dominated by the massive Ngorongoro Crater, which has formed the focal point of so many television documentaries. The crater floor itself is alive with game, particularly around Lake Magadi, which is also well known for its flamingo population. Aside from herds of zebras, gazelles, and wildebeests, the crater is home to the Big Five – rhinos, lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos.
The crater plays host to almost every individual species of wildlife in East Africa, with an estimated 25,000 animals within the crater. Elsewhere on the crater floor, predators roam freely, terrorising the vulnerable plains game that huddles in groups as the dusk settles.
Why visit the crater rim?
The views from the rim are spectacular and the fever tree forest, which characterises the area, is alive with elephants, leopards and buffalos, most of which descend into the crater to feed.
To explore this forest with an armed guide in search of smaller craters, mountain rivers and waterfalls is one of Africa’s real treats.
Experiences
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Jackie Devereux
I was born in Zimbabwe. With a dad who was in the police force, we moved from place to place. I have always been passionate about travel. My grandparents mentioned that our ancestors set off from the Horn of Africa – Ethiopia – looking for better cattle pastures. They ended up settling in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, in the Great Zimbabwe area. Talk with our experts
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Illona Cross
Born in a small South African town, I have always followed my passion for nature and discovery. After studying Nature Conservation in Pretoria, I was one of the first women to complete a very tough cadetship in the Natal Parks Board. It was here where I cut my teeth in African wildlife management. My desire to see more led me to work as a guide for AndBeyond, first in South Africa, then in Tanzania as the company expanded. Here, I lived and worked in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro, guiding and running safari camps. Talk with our experts
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Bridget Cohen
Aged five and with my Curious George toy safely tucked under my arm, I set off with my family to travel around Europe in an orange VW minibus. Looking back on the adventures we had along the way, I now know that this was where my love for travel and exploring began. Talk with our experts
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Chris Johnston
25 years ago, my first trip to Africa took on a life of its own. I planned for three months, I stayed for two years. Whilst there, I was mistaken for a priest, attacked by sharks and arrested. Yet the countless, clattering journeys opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscapes and the grace of the people. My recent trips are undoubtedly more comfortable, but the welcome is as warm as ever and the best experiences are still those I never see coming. Talk with our experts
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Idea
Northern Tanzania including The Great Migration
Journey through northern Tanzania’s safari landscape, staying at a succession of beautiful tented camps. Combine the baobab-dotted valleys of Tarangire with the volcanic vistas of Ngorongoro and the endless plains of the Serengeti.
Selous and Ruaha
Southern Tanzania features two contrasting landscapes, one a Game Reserve and the other a National Park. The Selous Game Reserve is vast…
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park is Africa's most famous game park and a Serengeti safari never fails to impress its visitors.
Tarangire and Manyara National Parks
With huge baobabs scattered across its skyline, Tarangire National Park presents an almost surreal picture with many of the trees being rubbed…
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an archipelago located just off the Tanzanian coastline, consisting of Zanzibar Island, Pemba Islands and several islets all dotted within…
Coast and Islands
Tanzania has over 800km of coastline, most of which are completely ignored by the main tourist trail.
Mahale and Katavi
Although Livingstone and Speke crossed western Tanzania over a hundred years ago, it still remains one of the most unexplored regions of…
Mount Kilimanjaro
Standing proudly just south of the equator is Mount Kilimanjaro and by any name, it is a metaphor for the compelling beauty…
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise sets us apart. So too our curiosity. A curiosity of the world and of you, and your passions. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary?
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