Ngorongoro Crater Safaris Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater safaris offer a lifetime experience as there are few world destinations with such beauty and having high wildlife densities. Ngorongoro crater is popularly visited by many tourists on Tanzania safaris because of the uniqueness of the crater. The Ngorongoro crater is a breathtakingly scenic place perfect for tours to see the African Big Five wild game on a backdrop of about 600m/1,968ft high crater wall. Standing proudly within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the highly visited African attractions worth exploring.
Ngorongoro crater is one of the natural wonders of the world positioned in the Northern part of Arusha in Tanzania. The crater was voted a natural wonder of the world in 2013 because of the remark at the crater that create undoubtedly unique features. Ngorongoro crater then popularly became the eighth wonder of the world. Formed more than 3 million years ago after an extinct volcano collapsed upon itself (inwards), this is the world’s largest unfilled caldera.
Over 25,000 animals live within this basin-like crater which makes the 100 square kilometers a very busy spot compared to any other national park in Tanzania that have many animals but are very vast and don’t create the high concentration. The African Big Five are the Elephants, Buffaloes, Rhinos, Lions and Leopards that can all be possibly seen during a game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. The animals per capita in the Ngorongoro crater is so high especially for predators. Over 70 lions are found on the crater floor with the fewer black rhinos also increasing in number. With an approximately small surface area holding very large numbers of wildlife, this makes game drives very rewarding with the possibility of seeing very many animals in a short time even during Tanzania short safaris.
For any safari in Tanzania, the scenic view of the Ngorongoro highlands greatly compliment to the views of the many flat endless plains from national parks like Serengeti. These highlands around the crater are unique covered with forests that attract several bird species and also act as a source of water that drains the Crater Lake as well as supporting the animal life surviving in it.
Predators, the Big Five and thousands of other wildlife live in the Ngorongoro Crater as resident animals. However, the migratory animals like the popular wildebeest do visit the Craters northern sector around the Ndutu area. This is usually during the months of February to March as thousands of wildebeests take their journey on an annual wildebeest migration in search of pastures. In most cases, the wildebeest are at the Ndutu area at a period when they are giving birth. With thousands of animals birthed it’s such an amazing sight to behold as the crater contributes to the livelihood of the wild.
Aside from the great scenery and abundance of wildlife, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also home to the greatest histories of mankind-the Olduvai Gorge. It is at the Olduvai Gorge where the evolution of mankind is believed to have started after discoveries by Dr. Leakey and Mary. There is a museum set at the Gorge where tourists can spend a few hours learning about man’s evolution and the discoveries.
The Ngorongoro Crater with the stunning surrounding highlands together form one of the most beautiful regions in Africa. There is no such a time as the best time to visit the Ngorongoro crater since it is busy all year round. However, many travelers prefer to travel during the dry season which is between June – September and December to February. The other rainy or low season however, is also such a good time to visit since during this time the higher water levels in Lake Magadi within the crater results in higher concentrations of flamingos which offer a great sight to behold for avid or seasoned birders.
How to get to Ngorongoro Crater.
It is located about 180 kilometers from Arusha town a long a good tarmac road driving past Lake Manyara National Park famous for the tree climbing lions. The tarmac road goes as far as the gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Driving from Arusha it is not hectic to get the crater especially with a 4 wheel drive safari vehicle.
Tourists can also get to Ngorongoro Crater by air from Arusha. Flights can be charters to Lake Manyara airstrip where you are later on picked from for a drive to the crater.
With the astonishing beauty and wildlife in the Ngorongoro crater, the area can get flocked with tourists and therefore spending more time there gives plenty of time to encounter and experience these wonders. A two days tour is recommended.
When it comes to an African safari then that should be Tanzania and if it’s a tour to Tanzania then a northern circuit trip is ideal including a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater. Tanzania has many more spectacular destinations to visit including the popular Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Arusha National Park and many more including the white sand beaches on the shores of the Indian Ocean and Zanzibar Island. For more unique African safari experiences we recommend a very up close primate tracking safari for instance a Uganda gorilla safaris, Rwanda gorilla tour or chimpanzee trekking trips in any of the two countries. These trips are amazing and unmatched to the common game viewing experienced in Tanzania. Following our expertise in tailoring combined East African trips, you can book a trip with us including a visit to the Ngorongoro crater and an opportunity to trek the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas.