Ngorongoro Safari
Ngorongoro is a captivating and extraordinary Conservation Area which includes the Ngorongoro Crater at its centre, and then stretches through the Crater Highlands. Ngorongoro Crater is a true awesome sight that makes it unique. It is situated in northern Tanzania between the Lake Manyara National Park and the Serengeti plains to the north-west to form part of the unique Serengeti ecosystem.
This 600m deep floor; 20 km in diameter and 300 square km Crater was formed from an ancient volcano that erupted and then collapsed into the craters we see today and teems with wildlife, pools and ponds. It is thought that this volcano, before it erupted and collapsed, stood taller than neigbouring Mount Kilimanjaro.
Ngorongoro Safari Zebras
Besides its phenomenal formations and geographical supremacy, Ngorongoro is one of the most beautiful wildlife havens anywhere, and what makes the Ngorogoro safari exceptional is the concentration of the animals and the ease at which they can be spotted. It is estimated that 30 000 animals inhabit this area of 260 sq km. The caldera is said to have the highest density of predators. Visitors are guaranteed chance to see the big five 5 including the lions, elephants, leopards and buffaloes among many more. In fact, there are 30 lions in the crater area alone. There are also black rhinos that make the region their home.
For bird lovers, the crater is a host to a variety of species that are not even found in the adjacent Serengeti National Park. Several species such as the white storks, yellow wagtails, ostriches, flamingos, bustards, secretary birds, swallows and so much more are abundant on the crater floor. Most of these birds are the European migrant birds. The Ngorongoro Crater safari is certain to be exciting and there will be no end to the sights. The area could be inseparable from Tanzania itself for being Africa’s truly hidden gems.
Aside from the wildlife, the area shelters one of Africa’s most iconic tribes, the Masai. These warrior Masai herdsmen have maintained their traditional lifestyle whist co-existing in a unique harmony with the wildlife. The conservation area has also made for the ideal preservation of fossil remains in the area, and led to the archeological discoveries of early human remains made by Dr Louis Leaky, at Olduvai Gorge just to the west of the Ngorongoro highlands.
The crater is a protected preserve and interspersed around the crater you will see the cattle of the local Masai tribe who have permission to let their cattle graze around the area.
A guided safari drive through the crater rim, you catch a glance through the forest of a sunny, yellow, grassy open landscape in the horizon progressively falling away. The contrast to the cool, green forest you are in is unbelievable. With a closer look, you will certainly be privileged to get a spectacular sight of buffalo grazing in and amongst cattle. It’s quite a spectacle! Obviously, this is unlike any zoo you have ever seen and you would be hard pressed to have such an adventure anywhere in the world.
NGORONGORO SAFARIS
Ngorongoro Safari
Tanzania Holidays: 5 days, featuring Ngorongoro and Serengeti
African Wildlife Safari, 10 days, Visit Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro crater
Tanzania Tours 7 days, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara
Tanzania Walking Safaris: Serengeti eco-system, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro
Game Drive Safaris: 2 – 5 day safaris into various Tanzania wildlife parks
Bird Watching: 2-4 day tours across Serenegti Plains, Ngorongoro crater floor
Ngorongoro Drives
WHERE TO STAY
A handful of renowned lodges in the Ngorongoro Crater are dotted within the crater and in the surrounding highlands. The best options recommended for your stay are Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Gibbs Farm, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Bougainvillea Safari Lodge and Kisima Ngeda. These relaxing venues offer a perfect respite from the rigours of the safari.
For the less well healed, other accommodation exists within an easy drive of the crater and day trips are possible to the crater floor. Although the holds spectacular vistas and excellent game viewing, this safari “hot-spot” does get crowded with over two-hundred safari vehicles on the crater floor daily.Ngorongoro Crater safari
GETTING THERE
It is paramount that visitors using private vehicles be accompanied by a Guide through Northern Tanzania by road. To reach at Ngorongoro main gate from Arusha might take you 4 hours on now tarmaced quality roads. Once you get there, Ngorongoro should be an additional Tanzania safari experience also to reach Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks. The Ngorongoro safari being one of the best remote jungle experiences in Africa should amaze and inspire you.
