Activities to do in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a special, protected place in Tanzania. It’s so important that UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage Site. The Ngorongoro National Park is located west of arusha and is part of the Serengeti national park in the north-west and to the Great Rift Valley in the east. The park was established as a conservation area for wildlife and the semi-nomadic Maasai population that reside in it. The area is named after Ngorongoro Crater a large volcanic caldera within the area, making it one of the most popular attractions in Tanzania. It is one of the best places to spot all 5 of Africa’s famous mammals such as lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffaloes. Other animals found within the crater include hippos, jackals, reedbuck, waterbuck, wildebeest, warthogs, hartebeests, servals, zebras, cheetahs and crocodiles. the area is also home to over 500 species of birds.
However, this article emphases on the activities to do while on a Tanzania safari at Ngorongoro Conservation Area, they include; game drives, photographic Safaris, picnics, nature walks, birding, visiting the Maasai villages and hot air ballooning among others. as detailed below.
Game drives
One of the most popular and exhilarating activities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is embarking on a game drive through the stunning landscape of the Ngorongoro Crater. The area is renowned for its diverse wildlife, the crater is often referred to as the “garden of Eden” for animals’ enthusiast. During your guided game drive safari in the along the Ngorongoro crater, you’ll have the chance to encounter with the Big Five animals such as lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and the black rhino roaming in their natural habitat, all within the unique geological setting of the volcanic caldera. You will have habitat, the chance to spot other wildlife such as wildebeest, zebras and various bird species, providing fantastic photographic opportunities. Guided game drives in the area are commonly conducted in sections that’s to say. Morning and late afternoon drive and this is the ideal for spotting predators as they engage in their hunting activities.
Visiting the Maasai
The Masai are truly a fascinating group of people in Africa. Even though their homes aren’t right inside the crater, they’re allow to let their animals graze long the edge of the crater, or even take them down into it for water during the dry months of the year. While on a Tanzanian safari at Ngorongoro Conservation area, tourist will have an exciting experience to visit the Maasai indigenous communities of homes, cultural centers to learn about their traditions and culture. You can even arrange to visit a Maasai village or family that doesn’t get a lot of tourists, which is a great way to truly understand their way of life. Meeting the Maasai might involve watching their traditional dance performances, taking photos, buying souvenirs and meeting the elders
Photographic Safari
If you’ve been on a game drive in the Ngorongoro crater before and enjoyed the sights, you can set up another trip just for capturing incredible wildlife pictures. A photo safari shouldn’t just focus on the animals, but also include birds, lakes, and the grassy plains. You might find Maasai people living near the crater who are willing to be part of your photo project.
Nature and Crater View Walks
taking a walk along the edge of the crater is a truly amazing experience while on a safari in Ngorongoro Conservation area. while on a safari, you’ll get to see the Masai people as well as wildlife species. Here you can see how the Maasai manage their cattle, keeping them safe from predators like lions and leopards. Nature walks here also offer you with the chance to the astonishing views of the vast. You might even spot some birds and have the chance to snap some pictures, creating memories you won’t forget.
Hot Air Ballooning
Taking a hot air ballon ride is a pricey, but truly thrilling, way to see the vast crater and surrounding areas. Hot air ballooning is really worth considering, especially if you’re visiting during the great migration. that’s when the wildebeest are roaming or calving outside the crater and the nearby Serengeti. The best part about going up in a hot air balloon is that you get to soak in and really take in all the amazing views inside the crater.
Bird watching
The Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the best places for birding in Tanzania. With a recorded number of over 500 bird’s species. Birdwatching tours here are best done along the Ngorongoro highland and crater. During your bird watching tour, you’ll have the chance to spot different bird species such as ostriches, Kori Bustards, Secretary Birds, and other birds. Gray-delegated Cranes, Northern Anteater Chat Capped Water, Fischer’s Sparrow Lark, Red-covered Lark, Grassland Pipit, Superb Starling. Other bird species you might spot here includes Rufous-rested Lark African White-backed Vulture, Augur Buzzard, Long-peaked Eagle, Rufous Tailed Weaver, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged Goose, Hottentot Teal, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Eastern Crested Guinea Fowl, Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Hildebrandt’s Francolin, Greater and Lesser Flamingos among others. The best time for birding safari is during the wet season (November to April) when the breeding season is in full swing, and migratory birds arrive.
Visit Olduvai Gorge
Visiting the Olduvai Gorge is another exciting to do in Ngorongoro Conservation Area. the Olduvai Gorge is a prehistoric site situated within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and is a key attraction for visitors interested in human evolution and archaeology. Often refer to as the “Cradle of mankind”. This long stretch of land, about 30 miles or so, has given us some incredible finds – fossils and tools that tell us a lot about where we came from. The Leakey family found this place back in the 1930s, and their discoveries, like finding early human relatives called Homo Habilis and Australopithecus Boisei, totally changed how we understand human history. Tourists to Olduvai Gorge can explore its rich geological layers and learn about the groundbreaking discoveries that have shaped our understanding of human origin. The site features a small museum displaying fossils cats and informative exhibits detailing the prehistoric creatures that once roamed the area. Taking a guided tour is a great way to hear about the archaeological work and really get a sense of how deep our human history goes. The stunning landscape of the Olduvai Gorge, set against the backdrop of the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti plains also offered excellent photography opportunities.
Best accommodation facilities at Ngorongoro Conservation Area
When you’re visiting the amazing Ngorongoro Conservation Area, you’ve got lots of choices for where to stay. One can choose to stay in a budget, mid-range or luxury lodge. Some of the popular lodges include Ngorongoro Lodge Malia Collection, Lemala Ndutu Tented Camp, Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge, Ngorongoro Rhino Lodge and AndBeyond Ngorongoro Carter Lodge.