Tanzania safari in Ngorongoro conservation area
Tanzania safari in Ngorongoro conservation area
Tanzania safari in Ngorongoro conservation area : The Ngorongoro conservation area is a safari destination situated in the northern part of Tanzania famous for its numerous wildlife species.
Ngorongoro crater which is the largest inactive caldera in the world is also among the attractions found at this destination which also has breathtaking scenery and is also a natural wonder of Africa.
The Ngorongoro conservation area is made up of acacia woodlands, savannah plains and swamps. The crater floor is explored during safaris while looking out for the various wildlife and bird species of Ngorongoro.
Wildlife viewing around the Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari can be carried out at different times of the year and the dry season from June to October is recommended for wildlife safaris around Tanzania’s Ngorongoro crater.
Ngorongoro crater is about 600 meters deep and the Ngorongoro conservation area covers about 8292 square kilometers. The crater was formed over 2 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity which led to the collapse of the volcano.
The collapse which led to formation of the Ngorongoro crater led to the creation of a natural barrier which keeps the various wildlife species such as elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions, leopards, gazelles, waterbucks, hippos, zebras, hyenas, warthogs, cheetahs, impalas and many others from leaving the crater area.
A safari to the Ngorongoro conservation area involves various experiences and activities which include the following;
See the big 5
The big 5 are among the wildlife species which can be seen during a safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area. They include elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos and rhinos and are considered the most difficult wildlife species to hunt on foot.
Ngorongoro conservation area is also home to numerous wildlife species which can be spotted during a safari and these include wildebeests, cheetahs, zebras, gazelles, jackals, hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks, reedbucks, warthogs and many others.
These wildlife species can be seen during game drives that are carried out while on safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area which is a popular tourist destination in the northern part of Tanzania.
Explore the Ngorongoro crater
The Ngorongoro crater is a major attraction in the conservation area which is explored during safaris. Black rhinos which are an endangered species can be seen during a safari around Ngorongoro.
Pink hued flamingos can also be seen during a safari around the Ngorongoro crater which also has over 400 species of birds. The flamingos can be seen along the shores of the soda lake which is found at the center of the Ngorongoro crater.
Exploring the Ngorongoro crater can take up to about 2 to 4 hours. Other craters around Ngorongoro conservation area include Empakaai crater, Olmoti crater, Ol donyo lengai among others.
Empakaai crater
The volcanic craters in the Ngorongoro conservation area make up the beautiful scenery at the destination. The Empakaai crater is found in the north east of Ngorongoro crater.
The Empakaai crater which covers about 8 kilometers also consists of a saline crater lake. The western side of the crater is about 3200 meters above sea level and the eastern side of the crater is 2590 meters above sea level. The crater was also formed in a similar way to the Ngorongoro crater as a result of volcanic activity.
Descend into the Empakaai crater takes about 30 to 50 minutes in the company of a ranger. During the descent into the crater hikers enjoy views of Ol donyo lengai and as they pass through the forests and proceed to the crater floor.
There are also some wildlife species which can be seen during a safari around the Empakaai crater and they include elephants, buffalos, hyenas, waterbucks, bushbucks and monkeys. Water birds can also be seen around the lake in the crater.
Olmoti crater
Olmoti crater is another crater found in the Ngorongoro conservation area and is found north of Ngorongoro crater.
This crater consists of a grassy floor which is also grassy and is a stopover point during visits to the Ngorongoro highlands. Attractions around the Olmoti crater include the Munge waterfall and Munge river and wildlife species can also be spotted during safaris around the crater which are accompanied by a ranger guide.
Ndutu lake
Lake Ndutu is found in the southern part of Serengeti national park and is made up of grasslands and acacia woodlands.
Around the kopjes and forests in the Ndutu area, wildlife species such as lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, leopards, gazelles among others can be spotted during a safari. During the green season, the calving season in the wildebeest migration is an experience which can be enjoyed around Ndutu.
Visit the Engare sero foot prints
The Engare sero foot prints located south of Lake Natron is the largest human fossil foot print in Tanzania.
The destination is found in Arusha region and the Engare sero footprints are said to be over 20,000 years old and can be seen in the volcanic mud and during safaris to the destination, tourists also visit the museum.
Visit Ol duvai gorge
Ol duvai gorge is another site to visit during a safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area and is one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world found in the northern part of Tanzania.
Evidence of mankind’s evolution was discovered at Ol duvai gorge by Dr Louis and Mary Leakey. Visits to the Ol duvai museum are part of the experience during safaris to this destination.
Maasai cultural experience
The Maasai live in the Ngorongoro conservation area and during a safari to this destination; tourists interact with the Maasai and experience their unique and rich culture. These interactions involve getting to know more about the way of life of the Maasai and their culture and traditions.
Maasai are known for their semi nomadic way of life and can also be seen around southern Kenya.
Getting to Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari
The different ways to get to the Ngorongoro conservation area include charter flights from Arusha airport or flights from Kilimanjaro international airport. Another way to get to Ngorongoro is by driving from Arusha to the Ngorongoro conservation area which takes about 3 hours.
Visit Ngorongoro conservation area and enjoy exploring the different attractions during your safari around northern Tanzania.
