Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro is often referred as the eighth natural wonder, it has been listed as a UNESCO site which is considered the most beautiful and unique place in Africa where man and wildlife stays together in one area. Ngorongoro was established as a conservation area in 1959 where before this year the area was a national park along with Serengeti from 1951to the year of its separation. The area was separated to allow Serengeti national park attain its current international status of a proper national park but as well allowing the Ngorongoro to be a conservation area which houses the Maasai people, their livestock, and wild animals all together in the area. The remarkable and world-famous geographical feature is the “Caldera” with a rim of just over 600metres at its highest point. The alkaline soda lake of caldera is a home to huge flocks of flamingos, the whole crater has quite unique almost magical atmosphere and it’s believed to be a home of more than 30,000 animals here –half of them being Zebras, and wildebeests. The area offers the sightseeing of the endangered species of black rhino which is some of the last surviving specie found in Tanzania difficult to spot anywhere else in the country. The area is a home to impressive elephants with huge tusks who takes advantage of its ample shade in the midst of the day, outside of the crater Maasai tribesmen on the Ngorongoro highland hills have traditionally continued to have the grazing rights to herd their cattle and goats as they have done this for many years of their life –at Ngorongoro conservation area the Maasai are common to see dressed on their traditional blankets with their laden donkeys walking alongside zebras and wildebeests which this kind of mixed habitats of animals and human being is what makes Ngorongoro conservation area more unique and different from the national parks. This area has a lot more to offer from game viewing to walking and trekking on its lush highlands heading to the north east towards the two smaller craters – Olmoti and Emparkai and can continue on the active volcanic mountain of God “Oldoinyo Lengai” and Lake Natron where you get to alongside the cattle trails and camping are often amongst the Maasai Bomas allowing our customers to interact with these legendary people in their natural own settings.
THINGS TO DO NGORONGORO AREA
Embark on thrilling wildlife safaris to witness the iconic Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains. Hot air balloon rides offer breathtaking views of the vast landscapes and diverse animals, including lions, elephants, and cheetahs. Birdwatching, nature walks, and cultural tours with the local Maasai people also provide enriching experiences.
Game drives in the Ngorongoro crater offer you a chance to descend over 600 meters down into the Ngorongoro Crater floor through the lush green highland forest giving you a magnificent encounter of birdlife among the different tree species. When you are already down on the grassy crater floor, you are likely to discover large variety of grazing herbivores such as Wildebeests, Zebras, Buffalos, among others, as well as some of the predators that are attracted by the abundant supply of prey that Ngorongoro crater floor can offer. You can expect to see flocks of pink flamingo, pelicans, egrets, to mention a few that you will spot along the shallow shorelines of Lake Magadi, hippo can be seen in the surrounding swamps. Enjoy a full day game drive with your expert guide on a well and excellent condition 4×4 closed safari vehicle with pop up roof to allow you more room for game viewing. If lucky, this game drive here will give you a chance to encounter some of the big five animal that cannot be seen in some other parks in Tanzania, its ecosystem makes it an ideal place where you will be able to come across plenty of wildlife while enjoying the breathtaking landscapes, Lakes, swamps, springs like Ngoitokitok spring where many hippos can be found. Explore lush green forests such as Lerai forest during the game drive in the Ngorongoro crater, come across lions, black rhinos, and hyenas during your game drive in Ngorongoro crater and other vast wildlife such as bat eared foxes, Thomson gazelles among many other animals that you can spot in the crater.
Nature walks and trekking safari in Ngorongoro provides you with the real exposure to the natural African beauty and the vast flora and fauna. Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Ngorongoro conservation area with an escorted of an armed ranger, a Maasai warrior, and a professional guide depending on a type of walking safari you wish to experience. Ngorongoro walking safari vary from shot walks to long walks (treks) that will take you all the way to an end in the Lake natron area. If you wish to embark on a trekking safari, you are likely to start at various starting points depending on the itinerary you wish to complete. Walking safari in Ngorongoro conservation area allows you to discover various attractions and enjoying the scenic landscapes of the Ngorongoro highlands passing through different Maasai villages and craters such as Olmoti crater, Emparkai crater and some waterfalls all the way to NgareSero area in Lake Natron where you have options to engage on a challenging overnight hiking of Oldoinyo Lengai which is an active volcano Mountain located along the Eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley walls on the southern shores of Lake Natron also known as the Mountain of God by the indigenous Maasai people. Thid experience offers an opportunity to immerse yourself deep into the natural environment and people while you encounter awesome moments during your walk time.
Biking or Cycling safari in the Ngorongoro conservation area is another fascinating and spectacular activity that makes you experience an awesome adventure while in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This tour is likely to start from Irkeepus village within the Nainokanoka road towards the Emparkai crater rim to enjoy the magnificent view of this majestic crater lake and so much sceneries and abundant wildlife on the way including Zebras and impalas among others and beautiful birds on the lush plains and highland areas of the Ngorongoro conservation area, you will experience Olmoti crater, Embulbul depression, Munt Lolmalasin and the Munge waterfall from the Olmoti crater.
Horse riding in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers you a life time experience taking you through off the beaten tracks allowing you to enjoy and experience an extensive and detailed portfolio of Africa’s most iconic sites and a peek at a few of its best kept secrets. It’s a unique and the most luxurious experience to explore the Geopark area and come across a huge variety of games from the saddle. Lead by a qualified and an expert guide accompanied by an equipped park ranger you will be able to explore secluded areas of the Ngorongoro conservation area such as Lemuta, Olkariengorge and Nasera rock with the proximity of the Ngorongoro border around the Gol Mountain plains
Hot air balloon safari in Ngorongoro conservation area offers the most wonderful vistas and gorgeous sites of the famous Ngorongoro, hot air balloon safari goes beyond your imagination and nothing beats the exhilaration feeling that comes with flying high above the lush Ngorongoro plains mostly in the Ndutu plains and Olduvai Gorge areas during the great wildlife migration. It is an amazing way to grasp the enormity of what is taking place and explore the sceneries, landscapes, and wildlife of the Ngorongoro conservations area.
Olduvai gorge museum is Perched on the precipice of the storied Olduvai Gorge in the heart of the Ngorongoro Conservation area in Tanzania. Founded by the acclaimed British paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey, now operating under the auspices of the Tanzanian government’s department of cultural antiquities. Olduvai gorge museum serves as a crucial educational resource, illuminating the importance of the Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli fossil sites. The exhibits at the Olduvai gorge Museum shine a spotlight on the rich paleoanthropological findings unearthed in the surrounding area. Learn historical artifacts, informative charts and maps that will elucidate you about the intricate process of fossil excavations. Here you will experience and learn about the credal of human life as the Museum exhibits, presents foster appreciation and understand of invaluable fossil sites thus preserving and promoting human heritage in the area.
When to visit the park
Wildlife safaris inside the Ngorongoro Crater are superb at all times of the year. The dry seasons between June to October is surely the best time for nearly all the parks in Tanzania since animals are more easily seen as grass are shorter which is the same case on the crater floor where its grass is shorter allowing our customers to watch wildlife without limitations. However, the scenery is equally as spectacular in the wet season months (November and between March and May)
EXPLORE POSSIBLE TOURS
Explore the breathtaking beauty and rich cultural heritage of Tanzania with our expertly crafted tours.Each itinerary is carefully designed to provide immersive experiences, from guided safaris in world-renowned national parks to intimate encounters with local communities.
9 Day Tanzania Migration Safar cultural Tour & Zanzibar
- Tarangire Np, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti & Zanzibar
9 Day Tanzania Photographic Safari
- Taarangire Np, Serengeti NP & Ngorongoro Crater
10 Days Tanzania Big 5 Camping Safari
- Serengeti NP| Ngorongoro, Manyara ,Tarangire
7 Day Tanzania unforgettable Safari
- Serengeti NP| Ngorongoro,Tarangire or Manyara Np.
7 Day Ndutu Migration Safari
- Serengeti NP| Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire Np
4 Day Serengeti Safari
- Serengeti National Park