Olmoti Crater

Why Olmoti Is the Gentle Highlands Crater

Olmoti is the quietest and gentlest of the Ngorongoro Highlands craters, a shallow, grassy caldera north of the main Ngorongoro Crater near the village of Nainokanoka. Where Ngorongoro is dramatic and Empakaai deep and forested, Olmoti is soft and open — a green bowl grazed by Maasai cattle and home to buffalo, eland, reedbuck, and bushbuck.

It is reached on a short, rewarding walk. A guided climb of around an hour leads through Maasai grazing country to the crater rim, where the grassy floor opens out below and the Munge River spills over the edge as the pretty Munge Waterfall — the stream that eventually feeds Lake Magadi on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. The walking is gentle and the rewards are the views, the birdlife, and the deep quiet.

Olmoti suits travellers wanting an easy, scenic leg-stretch and a taste of Maasai highland life away from the vehicles. It combines naturally with Empakaai for a highlands walking day and with the wider Ngorongoro and Lake Natron region.

What to See & Do

• A gentle guided walk to the crater rim through Maasai country
• The pretty Munge Waterfall spilling from the crater edge
• A soft, grassy caldera grazed by cattle, buffalo, and eland
• Quiet highland scenery and good birdlife
• An easy pairing with Empakaai for a full walking day

How a Visit Works

Olmoti is reached by road to the village of Nainokanoka in the Ngorongoro Highlands, followed by a guided walk of around an hour to the rim and waterfall, accompanied by a ranger. It is an easy half-day outing, often combined with Empakaai Crater. The walking is gentle and suitable for most reasonably active visitors. Conservation Area fees apply.

A gentle walk through Maasai grazing land brought us to a quiet green crater and a hidden waterfall. After the crowds at Ngorongoro, Olmoti felt like a secret. — Guest review, TripAdvisor

Things to Do

• Guided exploration and wildlife viewing
• Photography-focused safari days
• Custom private itinerary planning