Tanzania Top Safari Attractions: The Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Measuring 8,288km2 Ngorongoro conservation area comprises Ngorongoro crater, Olduvai Gorge, and huge expanses of highland plains, scrub bush, water falls and mountain forests in Tanzania. The area was originally part of the Serengeti National Park during its first gazzettment by the British in 1951 but continued conflict between the Maasai who were still living in the park and the park authorities over land use led to the creation of the Ngorongoro conservation area in 1959 where both wildlife and human co-exist beautifully.

The area is part of the larger Serengeti ecosystem, adjoining the Serengeti National Park to the north-west, flanked by the southern Serengeti plains which extend to the north into unprotected Loliondo division.

The main attraction in this area is without a doubt the Ngorongoro crater world’s largest volcanic caldera 2000ft deep with a 260km2 floor whose formation was as a result of a giant volcano explosion causing collapse on itself over 3million years ago.

Lake Makat, a central soda lake filled by the Munge Stream drains is the main water source. The Lerai Stream drains the humid forests to the south of the Crater, and it feeds the Lerai Forest on the Crater floor.

Other attraction not as popular include Olmoti Crater is at 3,700 meters relatively shallow and home to numerous grazing wildlife where water flows across the floor pouring through a small but impressive cleft on the south side. It is also a favorite for foot safaris.

Oldonyo Lengai Crater with a bubbling view of the floor of from the edge of the ash cone on the summit an ultimate reward for those who climb the mountain.

Empakaai Crater, 300 meters deep and 6kms wide, is dominated by a soda lake which occupies nearly half the floor. It supports an assortment of unique water- bird life a view which can be enjoyed along the 32 km rim walk.

The NCA in Tanzania is never lacking when it comes to wildlife found here in their vastness and diversity both in species and numbers. The ungulates hold the highest number followed by the highest predator population in Africa.

These include the endangered black rhinoceros whose numbers have drastically dwindled, hippopotamus which are a rare spot, wildebeest , zebra , eland, Grant's, Thomson's gazelles and the densest known population of lion all found within the crater.

On the Ngorongoro crater rim are leopard, elephant numbering, mountain reedbuck and buffalo. Waterbuck mainly occur mainly near Lerai Forest. Common in the reserve are lion, hartebeest, spotted hyena and jackal Cheetah. Worth mention is the fact that NCA is prolific with birdlife numbering over 500 species. These include ostrich, white pelican, and greater and lesser flamingo and on Lake Makat in Ngorongoro crater, Lake Ndutu and the Empakaai Crater Lake.

There’s no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania, with a rich history and heaving with wildlife topped off by safaris to Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and surrounding attractions, not forgetting the hiking treks option through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is quickly gaining popularity the experiencing is thrilling to say the least.