Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Often referred to as the 'eighth natural wonder of the world,' the Ngorongoro Conservation Area combines some of the best wildlife and scenery the country has to offer with the culture of its Maasai inhabitants and the history of its archaeological sites. The conservation area covers 8288 sq km, embracing the eastern half of the Serengeti Plains, highland plateaus, volcanic mountains, craters, gorges and is home to Ngorongoro Crater - the breathing central attraction. Because of the high conservation value, Ngorongoro also rests as a UNESCO world heritage site and is filled with a variety of habitats that host a plethora of wildlife species. The area is named after the Ngorongoro crater which is the world's largest inactive, unbroken and unfilled caldera.

Ngorongoro was a huge active volcano, probably larger than Kilimanjaro when the volcano erupted some 8 million years ago. Its cone collapsed leaving a crater or more appropriately a “caldera” 600m deep, 16km across and 265 sq km in area. The original volcano had a height of an estimated 5000 metres high. Many of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino can be seen grazing on the open grassland of the crater floor surrounded by some of the 25,000 large animals that occupy the crater, including lion, cheetah, eland, black rhinoceros, zebra and gazelle. Flamingo, among other bird species can often be seen feeding at Makat soda lake. Early morning and late afternoon are perfect times to see leopard lurking around Lerai Forest, while elephant take advantage of its ample shade in the middle of the day. From December to March during the great wildebeest migration, millions of animals pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area around Lake Ndutu. This provides great chances of having scenic views of nature.

Outside the crater on the highland hills, Maasai continue to herd their cattle and goats as they have done for years. Maasai in traditional dress with laden donkeys can be seen walking alongside zebra and wildebeest. Human habitation in the highlands is what differentiates Ngorongoro Conservation Area from the national parks and is central to the appeal of hiking in the area.

Hikes in the highlands head north east of Ngorongoro Crater towards two smaller craters, Olmoti and Empakai and can continue on to the active volcano Oldonyo Lengai (mountain of God to the Maasai) and Lake Natron. Most of the hiking is done on cattle trails alongside the warriors and their herds and nights spent camping amongst Maasai bomas, allowing visitors to interact with the Maasai in their own environment and learn their culture. Ngorongoro is the only protected area in Tanzania that allows human habitation while protecting wildlife at the same time. This establishment as a multiple use area was established in 1959.  Exploring this little visited part of the country is an adventure of a lifetime.

Ngorongoro also hosts the Oldupai gorge which is colorfully dotted within the plains area. This gorge is punctuated within the Eastern side of the rift valley and it is decorated with very steep ravines at each side. The earliest known specimens of the human genus such as Homo Habilis were found right within this area and this makes Oldupai one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world. This 50km-long and 14 km-deep grandeur is the driest area of the region being nested within the rain shadow of the Ngorongoro highlands. The gorge was named after a Maasai word; 'Oldupaai', for the wild sisal plant

Getting there.

Ngorongoro conservation area is found 180 km West of Arusha in the crater highland area of Tanzania.

Activities

Oldupai Gorge & Laetoli, Craters & Wildlife,People and Culture (Maasai),Flamingos & Bird Watching,Walking Safaris

Flamingos

Flamingos are very common at lakes in the NCA, all of which are saline. Flamingos are filter feeders and feed on plankton. Plankton is a collective name for microscopic plants and animals that occur in the mud and on the surface of shallow, saline lakes.

Bird Watching

The mixture of forest, canyons, grassland plains, Lakes and marshes provide habitats for a wide range of bird life. The wet months see the arrival of the Eurasian migrants at the pools. White storks, yellow wagtails and swallows mingle with the local inhabitants: stilts, saddle-bill storks, ibis, ruff and various species of duck. Lesser flamingos fly in to feed from their breeding grounds at Lake Natron. Distinctive grassland birds - ostrich, kori bustards and crowned cranes-abound. The rest of the NCA also has areas which will reward the keen ornithologist.