Ngorongoro crater location : The Ngorongoro crater is found in the eastern rift valley and is a wildlife viewing destination which is located in the northern part of Tanzania.
The crater was formed as a result of volcanic activity when an active volcano collapsed creating the unbroken caldera. Ngorongoro is made up of open grasslands and is home to numerous wildlife species.
Numerous wildlife species can be seen during a safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area and these include elephants, black rhinos, leopards, buffalos, zebras, warthogs, wildebeests, gazelles, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals and many others.
The Maasai can also be seen during a safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area as they graze their livestock around the crater. Tourists interact with the Maasai during their safaris around the destination. The Maasai are a semi nomadic group of people and they reside in the Ngorongoro conservation area.
The Ngorongoro crater is located close to other destinations in the northern part of Tanzania such as Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park and also Arusha national park.
During safaris to Tanzania, there are different ways to get to the Ngorongoro conservation area and they include flights and also driving. The drive to Ngorongoro crater is about 4 hours from Arusha town which is a starting point for tours around the northern part of Tanzania. The destination is found west of the town of Arusha.
Flights during safaris to the Ngorongoro crater can be got to Lake Manyara airstrip and from there tourists can take a short drive to Ngorongoro conservation area for the safari.
The Ngorongoro conservation area is also a UNESCO world heritage site where numerous wildlife species can be seen during a safari in Tanzania. There are neighboring craters which are similar in formation as the Ngorongoro crater and they include the Empakaai crater and the Olmoti crater.
Another attraction in the Ngorongoro conservation area is the Ol duvai gorge which is a site where evidence of human evolution was discovered. Ol duvai gorge is also referred to as the cradle of mankind and can be visited during tours to the Ngorongoro crater, Ngorongoro crater locationNgorongoro crater location.
The Ngorongoro crater offers amazing wildlife viewing through the year and different bird species can also be seen around the destination such as flamingos which can be seen along the shores of Lake Magadi during safaris around the crater.
The wildebeest migration also takes place in the Ngorongoro conservation area during the months around January, February and also in March which is a time when the calving season takes place. Over 8,000 wildebeest calves are born daily during this calving season and predators like lions and leopards can be seen during a safari at this time of the year.
A variety of wildlife species can be seen during the activities that are carried out around the Ngorongoro conservation area such as game drives, nature walks, cultural tours, hiking, birding among others.
Photography is also amazing during tours around the Ngorongoro conservation area which has amazing views. Wildlife viewing around the crater can be carried out during the day time as tourists explore the wilderness of the destination.
Safaris in the Ngorongoro can be done at different times of the year such as in the dry season and the low season. These tours involve descending about 600 meters to the crater floor in search of wildlife species.
Walking safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area are carried out with an experienced ranger guide and enjoying an up-close wildlife viewing experience around the destination. These walks can be done around the crater rim.
The big five such as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos can be spotted around the Ngorongoro conservation area. The crater has varied landscapes including forests, savannah plains/ grasslands, alkaline lakes like Lake Magadi and also swamps.
Hiking is also carried out during safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area and can be done to the crater wall. Hikes are also done up the crater rim, around Ol donyo lengai, Olmoti crater, Empakaai crater, around the highlands and other places. These hikes can take about 2 to 3 hours and some wildlife species can also be encountered during these hikes such as bushbucks, zebras, elephants, buffalos among others.
Visiting the Empakaai crater during tours around the Ngorongoro crater is done in the company of a ranger guide as you hike through the thick forests and continuing to descend into the crater.
The best time to visit the Ngorongoro conservation area is during the dry season around June to October when wildlife species can easily be spotted around the water points and also during game drives around the grasslands.
Rains are received from March to May and at this time of the year few tourists visit the Ngorongoro conservation area making it favorable for safaris while avoiding crowds. Prices are also discounted at this time of the year and wildlife viewing can also be carried out.
Visit Tanzania and enjoy exploring the Ngorongoro conservation area for a wildlife viewing experience at different times of the year.
