Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the leading destinations in Tanzania, home to not only the Big 5 but also the Ngorongoro Crater –one of the 7 seven) natural wonders of Africa. Ngorongoro Conservation Area lies in the Northern tourist circuit and is a designated UNESCO Site. The Ngorongoro Crater is referred to as the “Garden of Eden” and is known for its unique archaeological discoveries.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created in 1959 and was also declared a UNESCO site in 1979. This conservation area extends up to 8,300 sq. km and its landscape is characterized by highland plains, grasslands, savanna woodlands, and lush forests. Ngorongoro lies near the Olduvai Gorge, and from Arusha, it is 2-3 hours’ drive. It is bordered by the Great Rift Valley to the East and Serengeti to the Northwest. The Ngorongoro Crater is 610m deep and 20 km wide, making it the biggest inactive caldera in the world.

Top Attractions to Explore in Ngorongoro Conservation Area –(NCA)

Wildlife to Explore

Ngorongoro is endowed with diverse wildlife. The various wildlife to encounter in Ngorongoro include wild hunting dogs, buffalo, hyenas, wildebeest, zebras, hippos, African elephants, lions, rhinos, cheetahs, Kudus, elands, waterbucks, jackals, and leopards. Other wildlife includes foxes, golden cats, honey badgers, gazelles, and warthogs.

The Birds

Overall, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area has a population of 500 bird species. They include spur-winged goose, blacksmith lapwings, Schawlow’s turacos, Kori bustards, white-eyed slaty flycatchers, rufous-tailed weaver birds, Eastern double-collared sunbirds, little swift, yellow-necked spurfowl, Augur buzzards, yellow barbets, squacco herons, southern pochard, three-banded plovers, western marsh harriers, African spoonbill, African fire-finch, yellow-bishops, Jackson’s widowbird, Egyptian vulture, yellow-billed egret, Kenya rufous sparrow, Eurasian blackcap, Holub’s golden weavers, Speke’s weavers, Hartlaub’s bustards, saddle-billed storks, and lanner falcons.

Ngorongoro also holds birds such as black-headed gull, nyanza swift, Maccoa ducks, Namaqua dove, white-faced whistling ducks, African rail, long-legged buzzards, dark chanting goshawks, emerald-spotted wood dove, rameron pigeon, little bee-eaters, hooded vultures, African palm swift, mourning collared dove, and dideric cuckoo, and white-bellied canary.

Safari Activities to do in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Safari Game Drive

Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers amazing encounters with wildlife. This conservation area is home to all the Big 5: lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants, and rhinos. On a game drive, there is also a higher chance of seeing wildlife species like gazelles, impalas, hyenas, warthogs, elands, cheetahs, and others. Game drives in Ngorongoro can be excellently enjoyed in a 4×4 tourist vehicle provided by your local tour operator.

Bird-watching with a guide

Ngorongoro is an ideal birding destination and offers you a great opportunity to spot diverse bird species. The varied bird species to identify here include the Kori bustards, Northern pied babblers, crown cranes, pangani long-claws, little yellow-flycatchers, grey chested helmet shrikes, flamingos, white eyed slaty flycatchers, European strain vultures, long-billed tailor birds, pelicans, Amani sunbird, Usambara, hammerkop, woodpeckers, thick bellied seed eaters, saddle bills, Basra reed warblers, rufous-tailed weavers, martial eagle, and Karamoja apalis, etc.

Cultural encounters or tours

You can be part of the cultural tour to explore more about the unique traditions and cultures, and also get great entertainment from residents. The conservation area is surrounded by the Maasai community, and on a cultural tour, expect to have an in depth interaction with the Maasai people. This can be done after a game drive or even before.

Hot air balloon excursions

Hot air balloon excursions mainly involve exploring the Ngorongoro Conservation Area using a hot air balloon. Balloon excursions provide a distinct perspective of the conservation area landscape and its natural wonders. Visitors get a chance to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the Ngorongoro and abundant wildlife. Hot air balloon tour offer a remarkable alternative to a 4×4 safari guided game drive or can be combined, and each guarantees epic encounters. Early morning balloon excursion comes with a bush breakfast, and late afternoon, includes sunset champagne.

Hiking expeditions with a guide

If you are an adventure seeker, then a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater should be a must for you to experience an unmatched hiking adventure. Hiking expeditions in the Ngorongoro involve exploring the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. This comes with breathtaking views of the crater and the surrounding areas.

When to visit Ngorongoro for a tour

Ngorongoro Conservation Area can be explored at any time of the year. This conservancy area experiences favorable weather conditions, making it an all-year-round destination although the dry season is the perfect period for you to enjoy the Big game tours. The dry season starts from June to October. During the dry season, a huge concentration of wildlife congregates around the water sources, thus offering a great chance for tourists to encounter a diversity of animals in a single session.

Accommodation to Stay on a Vacation

The lodging options to consider for overnight in Ngorongoro include Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Kirurumu Ngorongoro Camp, Lemala Ngorongoro. In addition, you can book Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge, Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Plantation Lodge, AndBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, and others.

Getting to Ngorongoro Conservation Area (By road or Air).

Ngorongoro is accessible by road or air. Visitors with intentions to explore this conservation area can depart from Arusha using a 4×4 safari vehicle. You can spend about 4-5 hours getting to Ngorongoro. Using air transportation, visitors can take a flight up to Lake Manyara Airstrip and transfer to Ngorongoro by road.