Ngorongoro Conservation Area
It is simply described as the Eden of Africa, “the 8th Wonder of the World” - Ngorongoro Crater is located west of the Great Rift Valley, which runs from the Red Sea to Lake Nyasa in southern Tanzania. Ngorongoro was an active volcano some eight million years ago, whose cone collapsed, leaving a crater. At 2,286 meters above sea level it is the largest unbroken caldera in the world, the second largest extinct crater in the world, and today shelters the most beautiful wildlife haven left on earth with a spectacular concentration of wildlife and stunning views. This natural amphitheatre is oval in shape, 300 sq. Km in area, 610m deep.
There are 30,000 larger animals within the crater itself. This is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. All of the big five are seen - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. Other game includes: cheetah, hyena, zebra, warthog, impala, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family and smaller mammals of sorts. Birdlife includes: - Kori bustard, secretary bird, crested crane, maribou stock, goliath, heron, beautiful fish eagles, and thousands of colourful flamingoes.
The crater rim is wooded with mountain forest vegetation. Blooming in acres of flowers e.g. pink, blue and white lupines, candle white lilies, blue hyacinth. The crater has been declared a World Heritage Site and it lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which covers more than 8,000 sq. km. Olduvai Gorge where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo hablis or “Handy Man” regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution is also located in this area.
Access to Ngorongoro Conservation Area is either by road approximately four hour drive or a one hour scheduled flight.
There are 30,000 larger animals within the crater itself. This is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. All of the big five are seen - elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and buffalo. Other game includes: cheetah, hyena, zebra, warthog, impala, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family and smaller mammals of sorts. Birdlife includes: - Kori bustard, secretary bird, crested crane, maribou stock, goliath, heron, beautiful fish eagles, and thousands of colourful flamingoes.
The crater rim is wooded with mountain forest vegetation. Blooming in acres of flowers e.g. pink, blue and white lupines, candle white lilies, blue hyacinth. The crater has been declared a World Heritage Site and it lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which covers more than 8,000 sq. km. Olduvai Gorge where Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo hablis or “Handy Man” regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution is also located in this area.
Access to Ngorongoro Conservation Area is either by road approximately four hour drive or a one hour scheduled flight.
