Ngorongoro Conservation Area

“The Ngorongoro Crater, with its lush green plains, woodland trees, and wildflowers, is one of Tanzania’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s often referred to as the ‘Garden of Eden’ because it’s such a stunningly beautiful place. Ngorongoro has been the site of numerous archaeological discoveries over the years, and it is now regarded as one of the best places in East Africa for safari”

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, frequently referred to as the “eighth natural wonder of the world,” combines some of the best wildlife and scenery the nation has to offer with the Maasai culture and the history of its archaeological sites. The Ngorongoro Crater, the center of attention, is located within the 8288 sq km conservation area, which also includes the eastern half of the Serengeti Plains, highland plateaus, volcanic mountains, craters, and gorges.

When it erupted 8 million years ago, Ngorongoro was a massive active volcano, possibly larger than Kilimanjaro. Its cone collapsed, leaving a crater, or, more accurately, a “caldera,” 600m deep, 16km across, and 265 square kilometers in size. Many of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhinos can be seen grazing on the crater floor’s open grassland, surrounded by some of the crater’s 20,000 large animals, which include lions, cheetahs, elands, zebras, and gazelles. Flamingos, as well as other bird species, can frequently be seen feeding at Magadi Soda Lake. Leopards can be seen lurking around Lerai Forest in the early morning and late afternoon, while elephants take advantage of its abundant shade during the day.

Maasai people continue to herd their cattle and goats as they have for years outside the crater in the highland hills. Zebra and wildebeest can be seen walking alongside Maasai people dressed traditionally and pulling loaded donkeys. What sets apart Ngorongoro Conservation Area from other African national parks and is essential to the allure of hiking in the region is human habitation in the highlands.

Hikes in the highlands take visitors from Ngorongoro Crater to two smaller craters, Olmoti and Empakai, as well as the active volcano Oldonyo Lengai, also known as the Maasai people’s “mountain of God,” and Lake Natron. Visitors can interact with the Maasai in their natural environment and learn about their culture by spending most of their time hiking on cattle trails next to the warriors and their herds and spending their nights camping among Maasai bomas.

REASONS TO VISIT THE NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

• The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) is a popular safari destination in Tanzania. This UNESCO World Heritage Site of 829,200 hectares is part of the Serengeti ecosystem. The Ngorongoro Crater inspired the region’s name. It is one of the world’s oldest inactive volcanic calderas, having formed 2–3 million years ago.
• What was once a scorching, lava-strewn wasteland is now home to 25,000 large animals, including lions, black rhinos, elephants, and giraffes.
• The Ngorongoro Crater is one of Tanzania’s best hiking destinations, with one of the most popular routes leading up the Olmoti volcano and down to the Empakai Crater Lake. Thousands of flamingos congregate in the shallows here, and the views from the trail are almost surreal.
• The site has significant archaeological and palaeontological significance, and you can visit these sites in the Ngarusi area at Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli.

THE NGORONGORO CRATER SAFARIS

• Safaris to the crater are only permitted between 7 a.m. and 4/6 p.m. Consider getting down to the crater at sunrise to beat the crowds and ensure that no other vehicles obstruct your shots.
• The most popular activity during Ngorongoro safaris are game drives. Because of the park’s small size and popularity, it can get crowded during peak season.
• Unlike the rest of the crater, the Southern Highlands are less visited by tourists. This is due, in part, to the fact that the Maasai drive their cattle through the area. If you have some extra time, it’s worth stopping by here to meet some of the local Maasai people.
• You can also go on a walking safari up to the rim of the Western Great Rift Valley with an experienced ranger. Because there are few predators in this area, you can get up close and personal with ungulates and antelope.

THE CRATER DESCENT

The Ngorongoro Crater is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s crown jewel. This ancient, forested caldera is home to over 25,000 large mammals and has some of the world’s highest wildlife densities. As you descend from the crater rim, the grasslands give way to mountain forests. You spend the day on a game drive around the 300-kilometer crater floor once you reach the bottom. You can see the Big Five as well as many roaming predators.

NDUTU AREA

Ndutu is located in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in the Serengeti ecosystem’s southeastern plains. The plains around Ndutu are the main migratory animal holding area, where vast herds congregate and linger for more than four months, from December to April, before moving across the Serengeti in search of greener pastures and water. The Ndutu ecosystem is vital to the Serengeti ecosystem, particularly the short grass plains that serve as calving grounds for wildebeest and other migratory animals.

NGORONGORO WILDLIFE

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area lives up to its reputation for incredible wildlife viewing, with over 25,000 large animals and hundreds of bird species. Wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, lions and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles are some of the common seen animals in the Ngorongoro Crater. Watch the herds travel across the base in long columns from the crater rim. Look for black rhinos in the bushes and old bull elephants with long, majestic tusks in the Gorigor Swamp. Leopards prowl the Lerai forest, while lion prides prowl the plains. Buffalo, zebra, and hyena can be found on the northern flank of the Olmoti volcano. Hike down to the Empakai Crater to see thousands of pink flamingos circling the soda lake’s edge.

HIKING IN THE NGORONGORO CRATER

The Ngorongoro Crater provides at least one day of safari, but those staying for more than a day or two can enjoy hikes up the crater wall. There are numerous trekking options up the crater rim, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the entire crater region all the way to the OI Doinyo Lengai volcano.

You can also hike at Mount Lemagrut, which reaches 3,147 meters in the crater’s southern highlands. The climb is difficult, so you should be reasonably fit. The climb will last all day and begin shortly after breakfast. The summit offers breathtaking views of the Serengeti plains, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Lake Eyasi.

The Olmoti Hike

The ancient Maasai cattle trail ascends the Olmoti crater, passing through dense mountain forests, grasslands, and rocky outcrops. The trek usually begins and ends at the Highlands camp and lasts about 2-3 hours. The views along the trail are spectacular, and you’ll see a variety of flora and butterfly species. When you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Olmoti Crater.

The trail is home to buffalo, leopard, hyena, zebra, bushbuck, and even the occasional elephant! If you arrive at camp before 3 p.m., you can do the hike the same day. It can also be done after a full-day visit to the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Empakai Descent

The stunning Empakai Crater, located 40 kilometers to the northeast, is frequently overshadowed by its larger sister, the Ngorongoro Crater. If you’re staying at The Highlands Lodge, it will take you 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Empakai by driving through the Bulbul Depression and passing by a variety of wildlife.

You’ll start the 30- to 45-minute descent into the crater through dense, lush forests in the company of an NCA ranger. There are numerous birds, including the well-known flamingos, in the lake at the crater’s base. After this, the hike back to the car takes one hour and thirty minutes. Along the way, you can see elephants, hyenas, and buffalo.

THE MAASAI AT NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

The conservation area now houses approximately 40,000 indigenous Maasai pastoralists. Only the Maasai are permitted to live on these lands. Archaeological sites show that cattle herders have lived in the area for thousands of years, but the Maasai arrived only 200 years ago. During the rainy season, these semi-nomads move their cattle onto the open plain, while during the dry season, they move their cattle up into the mountains and woodlands.

 You can visit the Maasai bomas (huts) to learn more about their history and culture. One is on the road to the Serengeti, while the other is near Sopa Lodge. This is an opportunity to learn more about the culture, take photographs, and purchase the famous Maasai beads.

Maasai Village Visits

A visit to a local Maasai community is highly recommended while in Ngorongoro safari. You’ll be invited into a Maasai boma and given an insight into traditional cattle-herding practices. This is a great morning or afternoon activity. The visits are available daily at 4 p.m. and take about 30 minutes to walk (you can also drive if you prefer).

WHEN TO VISIT THE NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

If you want to see the Great Migration, the best months to visit the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are from December to April. Since there is year-round wildlife at the crater, you can visit at any time of year and still enjoy excellent game viewing.

The crater is less crowded in March and April because these are the rainiest months. Visits during the wet season have the advantage of gorgeous scenery but less favorable wildlife viewing. The best time to see wildlife is during the peak season, which runs from July to September. Go in January or February, when there is a break in the annual rains and the wildebeest give birth, if you are more interested in seeing the predators in action.

Some people choose to visit the crater in the low season due to the high season’s influx of vehicles. This is still a pleasant experience because there are more flamingos present because of the higher water levels in Lake Magadi (located in the crater’s center). Additionally, since there are still plenty of animals for them to hunt, the majority of the predators remain in the basin all year.