Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to the world’s biggest entire, dormant, unfolded, and unbroken crater, the Ngorongoro Crater Lake. Because of its breathtaking beauty, some have dubbed this location the “Garden of Eden.” The Ngorongoro conservation area was created in 1959 as a multi-use area where the Masai people could pasture their cattle. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans 8,292 square kilometres. This crater is one of the most popular safari locations in Tanzania.
The conservation area is named after the magnificent volcanic caldera Ngorongoro, which is derived from the Masai word “El-Nkoronkoro,” which means “Gift of Life.” The Ngorongoro Crater was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1879, providing you with even more reason to visit it on your Tanzania vacations and holidays.
In 2009, when people were not allowed to live in our farm in the Ngorongoro conservation area, the Masai herders had to leave.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a true African wilderness, with over 400 kinds of birds, endangered black rhinos, and a plethora of other wildlife. It is also reported to have the world’s highest concentration of lions.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also considered one of Africa’s seven natural wonders. The crater has a surface area of 259 kilometres squared with walls that are around 600 meters high.
Visitors to the Ngorongoro conservation area can participate in a variety of tourist activities. The following are a few of them:
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a natural wonder and one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, black rhinos, hyenas, wildebeests, zebras, cheetahs, jackals, Serval cats, and gazelles are just a few of the animals that can be seen on a game drive. The game drives are always held during the day, and the experience is fascinating as you watch predators hunt and pursue their prey.
Some are permanent residents, while others are seasonal migrants. Golden-winged birds, white-eyed slaty flycatchers, African cytrills, mountain buzzards, flamingos, Kori bustards, black kites, crowned eagles, grey-headed negro-Finchs, barred tailed trogons, steppe eagles, and many other species are examples.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area used to be a grazing ground for nomadic pastoralists. The name of the park is derived from a Masai word. These people have a rich culture that is unlike anything else in Africa. Tourists can visit Masai homesteads, known as manyattas or bomas, and learn about the culture by watching local traditional dances, joining the herdsmen in grazing cattle, or purchasing excellent handmade jewellery. These people can teach you a lot, so make sure you include them in your agenda.
Visitors to the park can descend to the Empaakai soda lake, which is home to a large number of flamingos.
A trip along the crater’s western rim is one of the best walking trails. A trip to Lake Eyasi is especially worth it because you can meet bushmen who have kept their culture and can show you amazing views.
Hiking to the Olmoti volcano and seeing the entire crater is one of the greatest ways to make your safari in the Ngorongoro conservation area unforgettable. The hike will take you through rocky outcrops, mountain woods, and meadows and will also offer you wildlife and a variety of butterflies. The Masai warriors utilized this road as a cattle trail in the past.
One of the earliest Homo sapiens remains can be found in the Olduvai Gorge. Don’t miss this amazing archaeological and historical monument on your safari to the conservation area. The tourists can next proceed to the shifting sands, which are crescent-shaped volcanic dunes.
The Ngorongoro conservation area is open all year, but the best months to visit are June to October, followed by December and January. Because there are fewer rains during this time, the foliage is shorter and less dense, making wildlife more visible.
The Ngorongoro conservation area is accessible by automobile from Arusha, but the journey can take up to three hours. Domestic chartered flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport are also available on a daily basis, from where you can be picked up by a tour operator car or a hired taxi.