Activities in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Activities in Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Ngorongoro conservation area is located in the northern part of Tanzania and its one of the most visited protected areas due to rich biodiversity including animals like the big five mammals(lion, elephants, buffaloes, leopards and rhinos) other animals, different bird species, vegetation types among others. The conservation area also harbors Ngorongoro crater which is the world’s intact largest volcanic caldera that is 2,000 feet deep and 260 square kilometers wide. Ngorongoro conservation area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its great importance. The conservation area is a wildlife paradise in that it harbors abundant animals including wildebeests, zebras, rhinos, buffaloes, lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, caracal, African wild dogs, gazelle, wild cats among others and more that 500 bird species.
Activities in Ngorongoro conservation area
Game drive
Game drive is one of the most popular activities in Ngorongoro conservation area which give visitors an opportunity to explore the conservation area in the comfort of a pop up 4WD safari vehicle with a professional driver guide. Game drives in Ngorongoro conservation area can either be done early in the morning at 6:00am or in the afternoon but they are best done during morning hours because that is the time when animals are most active. During the game drive you will descend down through the lush forest to the crater floor where you will have great views of animals like rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, waterbucks, wildebeest, warthogs, reedbucks, among other grazing on fresh grass with due, view predators like lions, leopards, cheetahs, jackals, serval cats on the hunt, different bird species among others.
Bird watching
Ngorongoro conservation area is a home of over 550 recorded bird species including migratory birds, grassland birds, endemic birds which are only found in Tanzania and near endemic birds which are also found in the neighboring countries which makes Ngorongoro conservation are one of the top birding destinations in Tanzania. Bird watching is best done in the morning or in the evening hours with an experienced birding guide who will guide you through different bird habitats such as forests, grassland plains, Lake Magadi, marshes among others. during bird watching you will be able to view bird species like black kite, lesser flamingo, grey crowned crane, secretary bird, ostrich, white eyed slaty flycatcher, living turaco, Kenya rufous sparrow, black winged lapwing, Hildebrandt’s spurfowl, Jacksons widowbird, kori bustard, hartlaubs turaco, African spoonbill, namaqua dove, Egyptian vulture, red and yellow barbet, rufous tailed weaver, rosy throated long claw, verreauxs eagle among others.
Nature walks
This is an adventurous activity in Ngorongoro conservation area where visitors get an opportunity to explore the conservation area on foot with the company of a knowledgeable park guide and armed park ranger to protect you from any danger. Ngorongoro conservation area offers short and long walks for example trekking to Empakai or Olmoti craters, crater rim walks, Lake Eyasi walks among other. During the guided nature walk you will be able to get up close and personal with wildlife species in Ngorongoro conservation area including animals, birds like greater and lesser flamingos, crowned eagle, white eyed slaty flycatcher, golden winged sunbird, views of colorful butterflies, have an encounter with the Maasai and their cattle, vies of the crater, Lake Eyasi, different plant and tree species, enjoy the cool breeze, relax your mind in a quiet and peaceful environment among others.
Cultural tours
This is one of the interesting activities in Ngorongoro conservation area where you will be able to visit the Maasai people who live near conservation area. During the cultural tour you will be able to interact with the Maasai people which gives you an opportunity to know more about their unique culture, tradition, dress code, way of living, taste their local dishes, listen to ancient stories, visit their homesteads, attend their traditional performances, take pictures, buy souvenirs among others.
Photographic safari
Ngorongoro conservation area is one of the best destinations for photographic safaris due to abundant wildlife beautiful scenery and unique culture. Photographers are however advised to carry all their necessary equipments for photography for example cameras and extra batteries. Photography in Ngorongoro conservation area is best done early in the morning and late in the evening because that’s the time when the conservation area is rewarding. During your photography safari you will be able to take pictures of animals including the big five mammals (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes), other animals like zebras, wildebeest, waterbucks, cheetahs, jackals, different vegetation types, pictures of bird species, visit the Maasai community and take pictures of the Maasai people, their cattle, homesteads among others.
Best time to visit Ngorongoro conservation area
Visitors can engage in different activities in Ngorongoro conservation area anytime throughout the year though the best time to visit the conservation is during the dry season in the months of June to October because that’s the time when there in less rainfall therefore access roads will be passable, vegetation will be short which gives you an opportunity to clearly view different animals and large numbers of animals will gather around the water bodies to drink water hence giving you an opportunity to have great wildlife views and take incredible pictures.
Ngorongoro conservation area can also be visited during the wet season in the months of November to April because that’s the best time for bird watching where bird lovers will be able to view migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa.
How to get to Ngorongoro conservation area
Ngorongoro conservation area is located in the northern part of Tanzania and can be accessed by both road and air transport means. When using road transport you will drive for Arusha town to the park headquarters which takes about 173 kilometers. Ngorongoro conservation area can also be accessed by visitors coming from Serengeti national park which takes about 3 hours drive, Lake Manyara national park which takes about 2 hours drive and Tarangire national park which takes about four hours drive.
Ngorongoro conservation area can also be accessed by air transport means where you will book scheduled or charter flights from Dar es Salaam or Arusha airport to the park headquarters. Using air transport is the best option because it’s quicker compared to road transport and flights to the conservation area can be booked by your tour operator.
You can contact Focus East Africa tours for more information about the interesting activities in Ngorongoro conservation area and you can participate in all the above activities depending on your interests.
