Walking safaris in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Walking safaris in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Walking safaris in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Walking safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area is among the activities which tourists engage in as they explore the world’s largest inactive caldera. This activity is one of the best ways to explore Ngorongoro conservation area since it is carried out on foot giving the tourists a closer experience with their surroundings at the destination which is located in the northern part of Tanzania.

While engaging in the walking safari in Ngorongoro conservation area, the tourists enjoy the beautiful and diverse landscape; enjoy seeing wildlife species of a variety around the destination and also interacting with the Maasai people who live in the neighboring villages around Ngorongoro.

The walking safaris also take place around the Ngorongoro highlands which are far from the crowds with breathtaking views. Other tracks which are followed during the walking safari go through the forests and around the crater rim where tourists enjoy seeing the Ngorongoro crater.

Armed rangers accompany tourists during their walking safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area. Visits to the remote areas around Ngorongoro are also carried out during the walking safari activity.

Wildlife species such as elephants, lions, buffalos among others can also be encountered during the walking safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area. During the activity, the tourists can also enjoy learning how to track the different wildlife species and also reading the tracks of the wildlife species.

Walking safaris also enable the tourists to observe the behavior of the wildlife species from a close distance which creates an intimate and adventurous way to experience nature and wildlife viewing around Ngorongoro conservation area.

Taking a walk in the wilderness of Ngorongoro conservation area helps the tourists engaging in the activity to reconnect with the nature and their environment as they move on foot exploring savannah plains of Ngorongoro.

The local communities around the Ngorongoro conservation area also engage in the walking safaris by acting as guides for the tourists during their experience around the wilderness and cultural experience in Tanzania.

Walking safaris take about 2 to 3 hours of exploring Ngorongoro conservation area. This activity is offered by different tour operators for tourists interested in getting a close experience with their natural surroundings while on safari. 

There are also other destinations around Tanzania where walking safaris are carried out such as in Tarangire national park as well as in the famous Serengeti national park which is a wildlife viewing destination in the northern part of Tanzania.

Other activities apart from walking safaris which are carried out in Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari include the following;

Game drives

Game drives are a popular safari activity which is carried out in Ngorongoro conservation area. During this activity, tourists descend in their safari vehicles 600 meters into the Ngorongoro crater which is the world’s largest inactive caldera.

This activity is carried out until about 4:30 pm on the grassy plains of Ngorongoro crater where a variety of wildlife species can be spotted during the game drive such as elephants, lions, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, antelopes, zebras, waterbucks, gazelles, cheetahs, hippos among others. Game drives take place during the day around Ngorongoro conservation area. 

There are also various bird species which can be seen around Ngorongoro conservation area and they include flamingos along the shores of Lake Magadi, crowned hornbills, turraco, rufous tailed weavers, vultures, starlings and many others.

Wildlife viewing in Ngorongoro conservation area is best done during the dry season in June to October although the activity can be carried out at different times of the year. 

Cultural experience

Cultural experiences during safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area involve interactions with the Maasai people who coexist with the wildlife at the destination.

The Maasai are known for their unique culture and way of life and can be seen grazing their livestock such as cows, goats and sheep around the Ngorongoro conservation area. They also have unique art and crafts such as beaded jewelry, sandals, belts, shukas and many others.

Maasai people who are about 100,000 also have unique homesteads or bomas which tourists can visit during their safaris around Ngorongoro conservation area. Other tribes living around the Ngorongoro conservation area include the Datoga and Hadzabe.

Interactions between the Maasai and the tourists at Ngorongoro conservation area during safaris at the destination also involve visiting the kraals where the Maasai keep their livestock. Tourists can also enjoy seeing as the cows are milked and how traditional meals are prepared during the cultural experience.

The Maasai freely graze their cattle and other livestock in the savannah plains and woodlands of Ngorongoro conservation area and also within the crater since they are permitted to do so.

Birding 

Apart from game drives in Ngorongoro conservation area, birding is another activity which tourists can engage in during their safaris at this destination.

With over 300 bird species, Ngorongoro conservation area has different locations for bird watching. This activity can be carried out around the forests along the crater rim, along the shores of Lake Magadi where flamingos can also be spotted.

Resident and migrant bird species can be seen around Ngorongoro conservation area as the birders explore the destination looking out for bird species such as rufous tailed weavers, starlings, storks, vultures, hornbills, crowned cranes, ostriches, kori bustards, red and yellow barbet among others.

Birding in Ngorongoro conservation area is best done during the wet season around November to April.

Hiking and visits to Olduvai gorge which is an archaeological site are also among the other activities which are carried out in Ngorongoro conservation area.

How to get to Ngorongoro conservation area

There are different ways of accessing Ngorongoro conservation area and among them is driving from Arusha to Ngorongoro conservation area which is about 2 to 3 hours’ drive and the destination is about 170 kilometers from Arusha.

Flights are also available from Arusha to Ngorongoro conservation area from Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro International airport.

Visit Ngorongoro conservation area and enjoy seeing different wildlife species and the amazing landscape as you engage in a walking safari in the wilderness of Ngorongoro. 

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