Ngorongoro Crater Conservations area | Ngorongoro National Park
FROM $ 800 USD* PER PERSON
*price p.p. incl. guide, safari-jeep, hotel and park entrance fees, excl. international flight (Based on 6 persons)
Ngorongoro Crater conservations area | Ngorongoro National Park
Ngorongoro crater is regarded as the 8th African wonders of the world. It’s indeed a breath-taking destination blessed with vast variety of incredible sightings.
Ngorongoro crater, a U shaped caldera formed as a result of the extinct volcanic eruption and made the UNESCO Heritage center in 1979 is an incredible place as it takes you sighting the African Big 5 games and takes you to the most concentrated wildlife destination in Africa and the world’s largest caldera.
This one of the most beautiful natural wildlife Tanzania safari sites and also a must go- to place if you would like to interact with people of the Masai tribe who have a very rich culture.
The Ngorongoro Crater Conservation is not managed and regulated by the Tanzania National parks authority but instead by the Ngorongoro conservation authority, NCA.
The main Ngorongoro crater rim that measures up to 19 square kilometers is just a tip of the iceberg as it’s a part of the Ngorongoro Conservation area measuring up to 264square kilometers with many unique activities and exciting experiences.
The walls of the Ngorongoro crater rim are steep and soar 400 to 610m high giving you a magnificent natural drama as predators and prey stalk and graze their way into the open grasslands, acacia woodlands and swamps on the crater floor thereby giving off a heavenly sight that will keep you amaze the whole day.
Wildlife Game Viewing in Ngorongoro
Compared to any other destinations in Africa, you will find very few that deliver same experiences as Ngorongoro Crater. In fact, a Tanzania safari visit without a visit to Ngorongoro s considered incomplete.
Ngorongoro is the world’s largest caldera and is home to the highest concentration of big game in Africa as well as an abundance of wildlife. Ngorongoro has a reasonable number of the endangered black rhino that can be found in very few destinations in the whole world and a total of about 200 to 300 left in the world that wander all day in the forests are the prize spots here.
There is also a huge population of the African lions that stalk the grasslands, hale and hearty herds of wildebeests along with zebras, about 600 hyenas and leopards.
In total, Ngorongoro has about a total of 25,000 mammals living in the crater here, including about 6000 wildebeests, 70 lions and about 30 endangered black rhinos inhabit the crater floor among many others.
Another incredible attraction in Ngorongoro lake are the joyful Flamingos that can be seen crowding the soda lake giving off a pink hue from a distance.
In addition to these there are other wildlife including serval cats, bat eared foxes, Giant and Thompson’s gazelle, cheetah, jackal and a population of about 400 different species of birds making this a birders paradise.
In addition, you will find plenty of hippos wandering the park, though less commonly seen, warthogs, hartebeests, water bucks, bush bucks and Bohor’s reed bucks, ostriches and more.
Ngorongoro Vegetation
Ngorongoro is a mix of lush green, rain-watered vegetation and desert plants. The area is made up of semi-arid plant groups, uncultivated lowland vegetation, highland forests, and plenty of savannah grassland for grazing.
Lofty open highlands, meadows, scrub heath as well as the remnants of thick evergreen forests surround the steep inclines of the crater as highland trees which include yellow-wood, peacock flower, sweet Olive and Kousso (Hagenia abyssinica) are some of the exciting tress found in the Ngorongoro crater area.
To the west of Makarut Mountain, there are long sections of Pencil Cedar, and pure bamboo while the gum acacia and red thorn Acacia make up the upland woods, which are critical for protecting the watershed areas of Ngorongoro.
The crater basin is enclosed by open short meadow plains which are dotted by brackish and clean water lakes, swamps, marshes and two areas of Acacia woodland where you can find the yellow acacia and pillar wood.
How to Get to The Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro Crater is very accessible from variety of destinations. In fact, Ngorongoro can be reached after a 3hour drive by tarmac road from Arusha which is the starting point of most safaris in northern Tanzania.
Once in Arusha you can get go around the parks of northern circuit with a chartered flight or you can use safari vehicle and drive the whole circuit.
If you are already in Tarangire or Lake Manyara National park, the Ngorongoro crater is about 1hour drive away.
If you are flying into Tanzania via Kilimanjaro International Airport which is just 46 kilometers from Arusha, a flight that takes about 30 minutes may be arranged to Arusha and you take another flight for 30 minutes to Ngorongoro or alternatively, your safari guide may pick you from Arusha to depart by road.
Many scheduled flights can depart from Julius Nyerere international airport in Dar-es-Salaam and fly to Arusha airport or direct to Ngorongoro.
Ngorongoro Crater Accommodation
The Ngorngoro crater conservation area has a variety of accommodation catering for all types of budgets. Ranging from camping inside the crater rim to super 5 star luxury lodges and camps.
Serengeti Mara Experts is happy to arrange your safari depending on your budget.
Some of the top safari accommodations we use in Ngorongoro include the following;
Ngorongoro Melia Safari Lodge
The Ngorongoro Lodge located in the home of 600m deep crater, is your most recommended choice for an immersion in to the true wilderness and calm ambience of Ngorongoro.
Ngorongoro Melia Lodge cottages are designed to present you with adequate relaxation in its exclusive spa as you delight with a gastronomic proposal deeply rooted in the local cuisine.
All the Lodge rooms are designed to give you different experiences.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Sitting on the rim of the crater, Ngorongoro crater lodge has spectacular views to die for.
Much as the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge may be accessed by road from the Main Ngorongor gate, the lodge is best accessed by aircraft which lands at Manyara airstrip. The drive from Manyara sirstrip to Ngorongoro crater Lodge takes approximately one hour.
The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is most recommended if you plan to drive to Serengeti as it offers a shorter distance to Serengeti National park.
The lodge is organized into three camps, all of which have a similar atmosphere. The camps are called South, North, and Tree. Tree camp is closer to the rim and lower down among the trees, however the trees can sometimes obscure the views. The main social room in tree camp is big and little over the top, with massive windows for breadth and amazing views, towering chandeliers, and open log fireplaces that provide a comfortable vibe in the evening.
Their Bandas are secluded and extend out across the green meadow in front of the lodge, which features chandeliers and rich reds. The Ngorongor Crater lodge rooms are designed to deliver significantly distinct impression from everything else in north Tanzania.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a nicely positioned 5-star safari lodge attractively adorned with hand painted cave like illustrations and styles throughout, giving it a spacious appearance in the middle of nature.
The huge arches in the walls, along with a central fire place that protrudes in the social rooms, and the magnificent views down the restaurant, make this lodge unique.
The crackling wood fires in the dining area and bar provide a cozy atmosphere, while the menu offers both tasty and broad culinary options, including at least four courses.
The Ngorongoro Serena Lodge has a total of 75 rooms and are laid out on two levels in long lines along the rim of the crater making one think they were built into the natural gradient of the crater.
All the lodge’s accommodations are designed to give you enough connection with nature as you partake of the most exciting views you can have within Ngorongoro wild.
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
Located on the eastern side of the crater, Ngorongoro Sopa lodge is a 4-star mid-luxury safari accommodation accessible only an hour and half drive from Manyara airstrip and about 3 and a half hours from Arusha.
This lodge which is currently under renovation shall reopen under a different brand. The recent upgrade is to rebuild the main restaurant, poolside bistro and bar, and deli and coffee shop will all serve up a delicious array of dishes celebrating the farm-to-table culture.
The Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is built on a remarkable glass-fronted central atrium that overlooks the swimming pool, which is only accessible to those who can withstand the highland chill. The lounge is on the left, and the restaurant is to the right, where you may sit and relax in a pleasant setting.
The restaurant is well-known for its outstanding atmosphere, particularly when the center open fireplaces are lit, complimented by the scrumptious cuisine on offer.
Best Time to Visit Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro is an ever-green safari destination and therefore may be visited anytime of the year.
But, it worth knowing that during the dry seasons of June to September and even December to February, high visitor numbers are expected and Ngorongoro can be crowded during this period.
Putting this in mind, you may consider coming between late February to May which is a rainy season when the visitors are fewer and you will have the crater to yourself.
If you want to have the very best experience with less crowd, a Ngorongoro safari visit in February-March or November to December could be the very best idea.
Ostrich
Nile Crocodile
Thompsons’s Gazelle
Elephant
Cheetah
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