Attractions in Ngorongoro are widely distributed across the conservation area both inside the crater and the whole conservation area and nearby attractions in the area. Ngorongoro conservation Area is part of the great Serengeti National park ecosystem that hosts annual wildebeest migration especially the calving season wildebeest migration that occurs in the Southern Serengeti national park and on the Northern part of Ngorongoro Ndutu area
Initially all Ngorongoro crater, Lkae Manyara and Tarangire national parks were all under Serengeti national park before they were broken off due to local community settlements in the corridors of the park where animals could transfer and move freely depending on the season.
The attractions in Ngorongoro are transverse and cross across the entire conservation to the furthers Olduvai Gorge where the remains of the old man was discovered by Dr Leacky, below are the key attractions of the Ngorongoro:
WILDLIFE
Ngorongoro crater is a home of the big four with only the leopards raer or not seen but others like rare black Rhinos, Buffalos, Elephants and Lions are easy to spot during your game drive at the crater. Other animals seen are different species of Antelopes, Zebras, Warthogs, Wildebeest, Jackals and others.
The Crater Lake attracts more animals to leave around the lake for water while nearby swamp is cool area for Elephants and cape buffaloes, one can easily find these animals especially in dry season cooling themselves in this muddy area, the swamp have hippo pools with large school of hippos spotted all the time.
BIRD SPECIES
Birds are one of the greatest attractions in Ngorongoro one time it was termed as the birding paradise in Tanzania with both permanent and migratory birds from both Asia and Europe that normally come around September to April that is rainy season for breeding like the Europen Swallows, Caspian Lapwing, Europen Rollers, the Montagus Harrier mention but a few.
Other ground big birds are the Otsriches, Grey Crown Cranes, Secretary birds, Kori Bustards and many more. The soda lakes of Ngorongoro are the breeding grounds of thousands of flamingoes and other water birds such as ducks, waders and herons.
NGORONGORO CRATER
The Ngorongoro carter is one of the key attractions of the Ngorongoro conservation area with its unique view, being the largest caldera with a ground size of 264 square kilometers. Before one descends down to the crater the guests always have the great view of the crater at the crater viewing point just few kilometers away from the main gate. It gives you spectacular view of the crater seeing the animals at the top view looking like dotted trees.
The crater has soda lakes that attracts more bird species especially the flamigos and other water birds, Lereal Forest which gives picnic view site and also hiding point for the predators and shelter for some of the birds.
GOL MOUNTAINS
Locally translated as the Mountains of the Gods all feared and respected by the Maasai people who have great believe and cultural attachment to this mountain. The Gol Mountains are located in the remote area of Ngorongoro on its North West within the conservation area. This remains one of the most traditional corners of Tanzania, home to Maasai who still kill lions as their rite of passage into warrior hood, and who still live outside cash society.
OLDUPAI MUSEUM
The Oldupai museum is the small museum is located in the rim of Oldupai Gorge the most significant archaeological sites in the entire world discovered by Dr Leakey. The site was the place where the remains of the early man remains were discovered in 1959. This place can be visited on our trip to Ngorongoro or from Serengeti back to Ngorongoro since its located in the way with the view of other animals as you drive to the Museum.
LAETOLI
Located in the Southern part of Oldupai Gorge deep in the remote areas, Laetoli is renowned for its footprints remains which are not clear exactly whose footprints are they though many believe that they were for the Australopithecus Afarenis.