Size: 172sq. miles
Location: 110 miles northwest of Arusha City
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located between the Serengeti and Lake Manyara and is home to the famous Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro crater is arguably the most impressive geological feature in Africa.
This magical crater with stunning views from its rims lies between Serengeti and Lake Manyara National Parks. Many as one of the natural wonders of the world consider the Ngorongoro crater. With 610 meters high walls, making it the largest intact crater in the world. This area consists of local people, the Maasai, their livestock and wildlife, which coexist together and sharing the same protected habitat.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area became a UNESCO’S world heritage site in 1979. The crater, which is the center of attraction in the area, is the largest caldera in the world with its walls still intact. The crater has a 2000 meter down from the rim, 12 miles wide and covering an area of 102 square miles. Most of the safari lodges are built high on the Ngorongoro Crater rim and afford an amazing big game viewing over Crater’s edge.
Wildlife
The crater has an estimated 30,000 animals within the crater itself. Animals include elephants, lions, hippos, the endangered black rhino, wildebeest, hyenas, hartebeest, impala, eland, buffaloes and lots of other members of the antelope family. Cheetahs and leopards. There are also a lot of colorful flamingoes and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater floor. More than a 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater.
Ndutu Area
Ndutu area is part of the Ngorongoro Conservation and is one of the best areas for the migration during the green December to May season. This is the also the time that a lot of herds spread out the plains and are in calf.
How To Get There
Road, charter or scheduled flights can access the crater from Arusha, en route to the Serengeti and Lake Manyara.
What To Do (Activities)
Activities in the conservation area include bird watching, photography, walking safaris, and big game viewing from a vehicle.
When to go
Best time to visit is June through October
