Wildlife safari in Ngorongoro

Wildlife safaris in Ngorongoro involve searching for the different wildlife species around the Ngorongoro conservation area which is located in the northern part of Tanzania.

The Ngorongoro conservation area is home to around 20,000 different types of wildlife. Game drives are conducted along the crater floor while on a safari around Ngorongoro to look for various animal species. The Ngorongoro crater, which was created more than 3 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity, is also the biggest inactive caldera in the world.

There is a lot to see around the Ngorongoro conservation area, such as different terrains, a wide range of wildlife species, archaeological sites, and the Maasai, who can be seen while on tours of the area.

Ngorongoro is a UNESCO world heritage site which is also referred to as the Garden of Eden because of its beautiful scenery and is among the popular wildlife viewing destinations of Tanzania and a natural wonder.

The grasslands, nearby mountains, acacia forests, and wetlands make up the Ngorongoro conservation area. Around Ngorongoro, there are also marshes and highland forests.

You can see wildlife on the plains and take in the breathtaking views of the crater’s surroundings while on a safari around it. The wildlife species are active in the morning making them easier to see during a safari in Ngorongoro.

The big five, which comprise elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos, are some of the wildlife species that may be found in the Ngorongoro conservation area. The big five are regarded as the most challenging game animals to hunt on foot. When visiting Tanzania, a great spot to see the endangered black rhinos is the Ngorongoro conservation area.

Wildlife species include wildebeests, zebras, hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, gazelles, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks, reedbucks, baboons, impalas, elands, and many others can be found in the Ngorongoro conservation area.

There are also many lions around the Ngorongoro conservation area and they can be seen during game drives around the destination as they hunt or lie under the trees or roam in the savannah with the lion cubs.

Activities carried out during safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area include morning and afternoon game drives, guided nature walks, bird watching and cultural tours, horse riding experiences and also hot air balloon safaris.

Descending to the Ngorongoro crater costs 295 USD per vehicle and entrance fees are also charged during safaris to Ngorongoro. Park fees for Ngorongoro are 71 USD for foreign nonresidents above the age of 16 years and 11800 USD for adult East Africans and Tanzanians visiting the destination and the fee is valid for single entry.

Attractions around Ngorongoro conservation area

Attractions around Ngorongoro conservation area include the Ol duvai gorge, the Gol mountains, Lake Ndutu among others where safaris can be done when visiting this part of Tanzania. The Gol mountains are found in the north western part of Ngorongoro.

The Ol duvai gorge is an archaeological site which is also referred to as the “cradle of mankind” and other places to visit around Ngorongoro conservation area include the Empakaai crater, Ol donyo lengai, the Olmoti crater, Lake Magadi among others.’

Wildebeest migration in Ngorongoro Ndutu area

The wildebeest migration in Tanzania also takes place in the Ndutu area of the Ngorongoro conservation area. Around Ndutu, the calving season takes place where over 8000 wildebeest calves are born in the plains daily.

The calving season can be seen around December to March and many wildebeests roam in the savannah plains of Ndutu during this time of the year as well as predators like lions, cheetahs and leopards.

Birds of Ngorongoro

The best time to see the birds of Ngorongoro is during the months of November to April and some of the birds of Ngorongoro include ostriches, flamingos, black winged lapwing, starlings, rufous tailed weavers, bee eaters, kori bustards, secretary birds, grey crowned cranes, long crested eagles and many others.

The Ngorongoro conservation area also hosts some migrant bird species during the year and they can be seen during bird watching safaris in Tanzania.

Maasai in Ngorongoro

Cultural experiences or interacting with the Maasai people can also be done during wildlife safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area.

The Maasai people go on with their nomadic life as they graze their cattle which coexists with the wildlife of Ngorongoro conservation area and tours can be done to the Maasai bomas where tourists get to interact with the locals, enjoy traditional dances and seeing local arts and crafts.

Best time for wildlife safaris in Ngorongoro

All year long, visitors to Tanzania can go on safaris in Ngorongoro. The dry season and the rainy season are the two seasons that visitors to the area experience while on tours.

In the Ngorongoro conservation area, the dry season is said to be the best time for wildlife safaris. From June to October, as well as in December, January, and February, are the best months to go on safaris around the plains to see various wildlife species. The peak travel period for safaris to see wildlife in Tanzania is from June through October.

Safaris in Tanzania can be done in any of the two rainy seasons: the long rainy season, which lasts from March through May, and the short rainy season, which starts around November.

The dry season is different from the rainy season during the safaris in Ngorongoro in terms of the tourist numbers at the destination where the dry season has more visitors as compared to the rainy season which is also considered a low season.

How to get to Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari in Tanzania

Flight and also driving are the different ways to access the Ngorongoro conservation area during safaris.

The drive from Arusha to Ngorongoro conservation area takes about 3 to 4 hours and the flights can be got from Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro international airport to Lake Manyara airstrip followed by a short drive to Ngorongoro.

Visit Tanzania today for an exciting wildlife safari in the Ngorongoro conservation area with Jewel safaris.