Location of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a protected and a world heritage site situated in the northern part of Tanzania. The park is bout 180 kilometers west of arusha in the Crater Highlands. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is part of the Serengeti national park and Maasai tribes can often be encountered as well as wildlife. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest unbroken, unflooded, volcanic caldera. A caldera is created after a volcano has erupted, spewing liquid hot magma into the surrounding area, and creating a hollow pocket of space below the surface of the volcano. More so, the park harbours a range of endangered species, such as the Black Rhino, Wild hunting dog and Golden Cat and 500 species of birds. It also supports one of the largest animal migrations on earth, including over 1 million wildebeest, 72,000 zebras and 350,000 Thompson and Grant gazelles. Some of the wildlife species which can be seen during a tour around the Ngorongoro crater include lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, antelopes, cheetahs, jackals, impalas, bushbucks, elands, hartebeests, waterbucks, kudu, hippos, hyenas among others.
Interesting, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located near other famous national parks in Tanzania such as Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park- home to Tanzania’s largest herds of elephants and Lake Manyara National Park- known for its tree climbing lions.
Tourist activities to do at Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Game drive safaris
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the best tourist destination you will ever discover. Within this area lies the Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site and Man and Biosphere Reserve. its is re known for its stunning volcanic craters, landscapes, and an array of wildlife species. Game drive destinations within Ngorongoro Conservation Area are done along the Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu Plains, Sale Plains, Gol Mountains, Nasera Rock, Embulbul, and Olkarien Gorge.
While each destination is unique in every detail, a game drive in the Ngorongoro crater is by far the tourists’ most popular and favorite destination. 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. Experience a gradual descent into the Ngorongoro Crater, passing through a lush highland forest, which presents numerous opportunities to identify magnificent birdlife among different tree species. Upon reaching the grassy crater floor, you may encounter a variety of grazing herbivores, alongside predators attracted by the ample availability of prey. 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.
Walking Safaris
Embarking on a walking safari within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a truly unique chance to connect with the nature. This experience allows you to walk through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s natural landscape, encountering its remarkable wildlife, and diverse communities. During this remote walking safari, you will explore extinct volcanoes, diverse landscapes, wildlife, and meet the local Maasai, Datoga and Hadzabe. This all-inclusive scenic walking safari takes place in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, wherein is the world’s largest unbroken caldera; the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater. Walking safaris in Ngorongoro Conservation Area are best done along the Ngorongoro Crater rim, Empakaai Crater, Olmoti Crater, Mount Makarot (Lemagarut), and Mount Lolmalasin, Ndutu, Nasera Rock, Gol Mountains, Olkarien Gorge, Olduvai Gorge, Endorro waterfalls and Elephant Caves in the northern highlands forest reserve of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Typically, a shorter walk lasts under four hours, while a longer walk extends beyond four hours, in addition to various multi-day walking options. It is mandatory for all walking activities in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to be accompanied by an armed ranger, and advance booking and arrangements are required.
Archaeological Tours
Archaeology is a well-justified pursuit within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ngorongoro offers tremendous opportunities through its numerous archaeological sites, which can be visited for learning, research, or simply for leisure. The area boasts some of the world’s most significant archaeological locations, featuring prehistoric remains, well-preserved artifacts, and fascinating information that warrants further research, study, and exploration. While on an Archaeological Tours in Ngorongoro, don’t miss to visit notable archaeological sites within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area include the world-renowned Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli Footprints, Engaresero Footprints (hosting traces of the ancient hominid), Mumba Caves and Engaruka.
Birding tours
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a prime location for birding in Tanzania, boasting over 550 bird species. Birding is best enjoyed on game drives and walking safari, with different habitat like highlands, forest and their crater, offering unique birdlife. While on your birding tours here, you will have the chance to spot different bird species such as lesser kestrel, the European swallow, European bee eater, the northern wheatear, European roller, pallid harrier, Caspian lapwing, 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 and the Montagu’s harrier among others.
Crater rim hiking
Experiencing the Ngorongoro Crater Rim on foot presents a truly invigorating adventure, coupled with breathtaking vistas of the surrounding terrain. The rim trails offer an opportunity to engage with the stunning topography while enjoying panoramic views of the craters below and the expansive conservation area. Guided hikes on the rim allows visitors to experience the region’s unique geology, flora and fauna on foot, providing a completely different perspectives compared to a vehicle-based safari. These hikes are generally led by experienced guides who share in-depth knowledgeable about the local ecosystem, highlighting the region’s biodiversity. While on your guided hike along the Crater rim, you might encounter various animals, including as lions, buffaloes, leopard, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras was well as various bird species among others
What is the best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The ideal time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area truly depends on your desired experience. many consider the dry season, which runs from June to October, is often considered the best time to visits the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The weather during this period is typically dry and sunny, which makes wildlife viewing easier as animals congregates near water sources. Furthermore, this coincides with the great migration of wildebeest and zebras takes place in the nearby Serengeti national park, so visitors may be able to witness this incredible natural spectacle.
The dry season also presents an excellent opportunity for hiking and exploring the Ngorongoro Crater itself. The crater is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and the rare black rhinos, making it an essential stop for anyone visiting the area. However, the dry season is also the busiest time of the year in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, so visitors should be prepared for larger crowds abd higher prices. For those looking to a void the crowds, the shoulder seasons of May to November can also be a good time to visits, as the weather is still relatively dry and wildlife viewing can still be excellent.
How to get to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
There are two options to get to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The first is to drive from Arusha to the crater, which takes about 4 hours. A common setup is to get picked up from Kilimanjaro Airport.
It is often a perfect idea to arrive early at the crater gates to avoid waiting in a queue to buy park tickets – this can mean it is worth stopping off halfway between Arusha and the crater for the night.
Alternatively, you can fly into the national park from Arusha. This is known as ‘fly in camp’, and we’ll provide a guide and vehicle for when you arrive at the park. There is one airstrip in the park, the Lake Manyara airstrip.