Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Experience Wildlife and Culture in Tanzania

Ngorongoro Conservation Area – Safari in the Crater of Wonders

Ngorongoro Conservation Area in northern Tanzania is the area where Ngorongoro National Park is Situated. Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located about 180 kilometers west of Arusha. It is part of the famous northern safari circuit, which includes Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire np. The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest dormant, intact volcanic caldera, is at the center of this Tanzania National park. Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania stretches 19 kilometers wide and is over 600 meters deep with a diversity in the Ecosystem.

History and UNESCO Status of Ngorongoro in Tanzania

In 1959, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area was legally established to preserve the wildlife. Also, allow the semi-nomadic Maasai people to stay and graze their cattle in the area. In 1979, the Ngorongoro conservation area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its outstanding combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Safari Activities in Ngorongoro National Park

Ngorongoro National Park offers a wide range of safari Tanzania activities.

  • The highlight is a safari game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater, offering the chance to observe a high concentration of wildlife in a relatively small area.
  • Ngorongoro Crater is one of the few places in Africa where it is feasible to spot all of the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) during one day.
    • Other animals that are common are zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, jackals, hippos, and a wide range of antelope.
  • Tanzania bird watching is also practiced in Ngorongoro National Park, with over 500 types of birds recorded in the area, including flamingos, vultures, and eagles.
  • Cultural tours in Tanzania are also conducted, where visitors get to interact and learn from the Maasai people who live in the area.

Some of the nearby attractions in Ngorongoro National Park include the Olduvai Gorge and Lake Ndutu, which are visited especially during the wildebeest migration Tanzania.

Where to stay in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Accommodation within and around Ngorongoro Conservation Area varies from luxury to budget, depending on preference and affordability. Luxury lodges in Tanzania with stunning views overlooking the crater rim, such as Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, are found within the conservation area. Mid-range lodges and tented camps such as Rhino Lodge and Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge provide good accommodation with adequate facilities.
For budget travelers, campsites and cheaper lodges can be found in the nearby town of Karatu, located just outside the Ngorongoro conservation area. Here, accommodation tends to be cheaper and still offers easy access to the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania.

Worst and Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro National Park

Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your interests. The dry season, from June to October, is the best time to visit Ngorongoro np for wildlife viewing as animals are easier to spot. During this time, the weather is also cooler and roads in this Ngorongoro Conservation Area are more accessible.
The rainy season, from November to May, offers lush green landscapes and fewer tourists and its the worst time to visit Ngorongoro National Park for wildlife viewing. It is also the best time to visit Ngorongoro National Park for birdwatching in Tanzania. Also, Tanzania wildebeests’ calving season is in January and February, which offers a chance to see baby animals and predators in action.