Wildlife sightings in Ngorongoro
Wildlife sightings in Ngorongoro
Wildlife sightings in Ngorongoro : The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s largest volcanic caldera which is also a popular wildlife viewing destination which is found in the northern part of Tanzania.
Safaris in the Ngorongoro crater involves searching for different wildlife species at the destination such as elephants, lions, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, wildebeests, zebras, hippos, hyenas, warthogs, impalas, kudu, dik dik, hartebeests, waterbucks, golden jackals, cheetahs, elands among others.
Black rhinos are among the rare wildlife sightings in the Ngorongoro crater. These species are also endangered and are also part of the big 5 that also includes lions, leopards, buffalos and elephants which can be seen in Ngorongoro crater during a safari.
Around the forest at the crater rim, a variety of wildlife and bird species can also be seen during a safari such as leopards, bushbucks as well as monkeys.in the grasslands of the Ngorongoro conservation area wildlife species like buffalos, zebras among others can be seen as they graze.
The Ngorongoro crater is also made up of grass plains, woodlands and is also referred to as the Garden of Eden due to its stunning scenery.
The Maasai people can also be seen around the Ngorongoro conservation area as they graze their livestock like cows, goats and sheep. The Maasai are known for their semi nomadic way of life and they also live around the destination. Tourists can interact with the Maasai during their trips to the crater.
The Ngorongoro crater is also home to numerous wildlife species and is a center attraction in the Ngorongoro conservation area. The destination is also a UNESCO world heritage site and is also among the 7 natural wonders of Africa.
The crater was formed as a result of volcanic activity over 3 million years ago due to collapse of a volcano which led to the formation of the crater. Ngorongoro crater also has spectacular scenery and is made up of grass plains which tourists explore during their game viewing activities around the Ngorongoro crater.
All year round wildlife viewing can be carried out around the Ngorongoro crater. The months of June to October are however recommended for wildlife viewing which is best done in the dry season.
There are tourists crowds around the destination around June to October which is also a peak season. Tourists who prefer fewer crowds can visit the Ngorongoro crater during the low season (January to April) when there are fewer people at the destination and still have an amazing wildlife viewing experience at the destination.
Hundreds of wildlife species as well as over 500 bird species can be seen during a safari around the Ngorongoro crater. Some of the birds in the Ngorongoro crater include ostriches, crowned cranes, secretary birds, kori bustards, flamingos, turacos, storks, starlings, lovebirds, vultures among others. Migratory bird species can be spotted around the crater during the months of November to April.
Although the Ngorongoro crater is not as big in size as other national parks of Tanzania, it boosts of over 30000 wildlife species and a variety of birds which makes it a must visit destination to see wildlife species such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, zebras, antelopes, impalas and many others.
A visit to the Ngorongoro crater also gives the visitor a fill of a true African safari experience as wildlife species can be seen around the destination during a wildlife viewing activity.
The Ngorongoro crater also has a dense population of lions which can be seen as they move in their prides around the grass plains. Watching the lions hunt or go about moving around the destination is an exciting experience where both male and female lions as well as lion cubs can be spotted.
Common sightings during the safaris around the Ngorongoro crater include cheetahs, hyenas, black rhinos, wildebeest herds, lions, golden jackals, antelopes, gazelles among others. One of the advantages of visiting the Ngorongoro crater is the high chances of seeing the big 5 during a game viewing experience.
Giraffes are not present in the Ngorongoro crater due to the steep crater walls making it hard for them to descend to the crater floor. Apart from the crater floor, wildlife viewing around the destination can also be done around the Gol mountains north west of the Ngorongoro crater and also around Lake Ndutu. Bird species can also be seen around Lake Ndutu area.
Attractions found around the Ngorongoro crater include Ol duvai gorge which is an archaeological site which is also referred to as the “cradle of mankind”. The Lerai forest is another attraction around the destination.
The Empakaai crater and Olmoti crater are also attractions found around the Ngorongoro conservation area. Lake Magadi is also found in the Ngorongoro crater and is an alkaline lake where lesser and greater flamingos can be spotted during a safari.
The calving season during the wildebeest migration also takes place between Serengeti national park and the Ngorongoro conservation area in the Ndutu area where about 8000 calves are born around January and February. The wildebeest migration is the annual movement of over 1.5 wildebeests across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
Predators like lions and leopards are also common sightings during the calving season since they prey on the wildebeests as they graze around the savannah.
The different activities which are carried out during safaris in the Ngorongoro crater include game drives, nature walks, bird watching and community tours.
How to get to Ngorongoro crater
The Ngorongoro crater is about 3 to 4 hours’ drive from Arusha. Another way to get to the Ngorongoro crater is by charter flights from Arusha.
Where to stay around the Ngorongoro conservation area
A wide range of accommodation facilities are also available for visitors on safari to the Ngorongoro conservation area and they include midrange lodges, luxury lodges as well as budget lodges with various amenities and also offering beautiful views of the Ngorongoro crater.
Some of the lodges are also found in the neighboring towns like Karatu and they include Ngorongoro serena lodge, Hhando coffee lodge, Eileens tree inn, Ngorongoro Sopa lodge and many others.
Visit Ngorongoro crater and enjoy wildlife viewing all through the year during your safari in the northern part of Tanzania.
