Ngorongoro conservation area (NCA)
Ngorongoro conservation area spans vast expanses of highland plains, savannah, savannah woodlands and forest. It is extremely unique because they aim at protecting wildlife and natural resources as well as the indigenous people of the area. Within the crater, Predators and prey can be seen living peacefully together which is quite unusual.
Ngorongoro conservation area is also the home of the Ngorongoro crater as well as Olduvai Gorge where the footprints of early man were discovered making this site an archaeological, cultural and wildlife center. Ngorongoro conservation area is a UNESCO world heritage site and is located 180km west of Arusha in the crater highlands of Tanzania.
History of Ngorongoro conservation area
The Ngorongoro conservation unit was established in 1959 as a multiple land-use area with wildlife co-existing with the Masaai pastoralists practicing traditional farming methods. The area was once the highest and mightiest mountain in Africa scraping the ceiling of Africa until one day the volcano had a massive explosion leaving a caldera of a hundred square miles, 12 miles wide and 2000ft deep.
From being the highest peak in Africa, it became nothing but a depression of ash. A few million years later, the mountains beauty was restored with even more glory.it became a freshwater area, vegetation developed and the wild animals returned making it a scenery worthwhile. It then became a home to a variety of animals and birds because of its favorable conditions as well as a grazing area for the indigenous people’s cattle.
The first Europeans to visit Ngorongoro were Oscar Baumann and two german brothers in 1892. They used to entertain their guests by shooting in an attempt to chase the wildebeests out of the crater. In 1979, the Ngorongoro conservation area was declared a UNESCO world heritage site.
- Wildlife in Ngorongoro conservation area
Over 25,000 creatures live within the caldera with approximately 7,000 wildebeests, 4,000 zebras, 3,000 eland, 3,000 gazelles, 600 hyena, 200-300 elephants, over 60 lions, 30 rhinos, and many others. The Ngorongoro conservation area happens to have large numbers of the endangered black Rhino. In addition, Ngorongoro is the ideal destination for the people who have their eye out for birds because they have over 500 different bird species such as Ostriches, Kori bustards, secretary birds, and many others.
Tourist activities to do in the Ngorongoro conservation area
- Game drives
This is one of the most fascinating activities because the tour guide takes you on a quest to find all the animals in the park through different exciting tracks. This will give you the opportunity to see lions, rhinos, buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, elephants and many others including a variety of birds such as the largest bird known as the ostrich.
- Bird watching
The ones that love the winged ones will definitely not get disappointed in this experience because the area has birds in abundance. Birdlife in the highland forest is rich and interesting.
Among the birds to be seen are white-eyed slaty flycatcher and Livingstone turaco, however the most noticeable are the ostrich, kori bustard, gray crowned crane, and the secretary bird. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Bushwalks
The conservation area also offers bushwalking activities where tourists are able to stretch their legs as they enjoy the beauty and splendor of the Ngorongoro conservation area. They will hopefully come across a few animals and view birds as they carry out their activities.
Cultural visits
Cultural visits definitely enrich the safari experience while at the Ngorongoro conservation area. You will be able to visit the Masaai and watch their way of life as well as enjoy their exciting traditional dance and music as well as crafts.
- Farm visits
It is also interesting to visit nearby farms and learn different farming methods of the indigenous people as well as enjoy the beauty of the farms.
There are other activities tourists can take part in that are not mentioned because different tours offer different services. The activities mentioned above are standard on every trip to the Ngorongoro conservation area.
- Accommodation in Ngorongoro conservation area
While at the famous Ngorongoro Conservation area, your stay will be catered for at a variety of lodges, for example, Ngorongoro Serena safari lodge, Lake Ndutu luxury tented camp, Ngorongoro wildlife lodge, Ndutu safari lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Kuhama camp, Ngorongoro crater lodge, and a few others.
- How to get to Ngorongoro Crater
To get to the Ngorongoro Crater, one can take a three-hour drive from Arusha to the conservation area. Alternatively, one can take a 25 minutes flight from Arusha to Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is more convenient.
In conclusion, Ngorongoro is an exciting place to visit if you have your eye out for adventure and would like to spot the Big five animals in one place as well as experience one of the most exciting cultures in Africa.
Tanzania Wildlife safari
