- Safaris -
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area -
Land of Maasai of their cattle and the fauna, this protected area is located in the great rift valley, gigantic fracture of the earth crust volcanoes, mountains, plains, lakes, forests, and archeological sites from this magnificent landscape. It is about 190 kms from Arusha town.
It is impossible to give a fair description of the crater, for there is nothing with which to compare it. It is one of the wonders of the world. This was once an active volcano, which collapsed leaving a caldera 20 kms in diameter. With no breaks at all in its steep walls, this is the largest intact caldera in existence.
The bottom of the crater 265 sq. kms dotted with watering holes shelter almost 30000 animals in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano but animals can leave, its called the eight wonders of the world.
The crater is famous for viewing black rhinos which are very few left, other animals can be seen includes elephants, buffalo's, zebras, wildebeest, gazelles, monkeys, and ever hungry predators including lions and hyenas. More than hundreds species of birds, crested cranes, red billed ox-peckers and countless flamingos which form a pink cover over the soda lake.
Establishment: 1959
Area: 8,288sq km
Location: Between latitudes 2o 44' and 3o26' S and between longitudes 35o 00' and 35o 55' E; among lakes Natrong, EEyasi and Manyara
Features: Extensive plains, highland plateau, volcanic mountains, scenic craters and a superb forest
Altitude: 1,350m to 3,600m above sea level
Attractions: The Ngorongoro crater, Empakaai crater, Oldoinyo Lengai mountain, the Olduvai gorge and the montane forest
Common animals: Aardvark, baboon, bat eared fox, black and white colobus monkey, buffalo, bush pig, bushbuck, civet, cheetah, dik dik, duiker, eland, elephant, genet, gerenuk, giraffe, gazelles, hartebeest, hippo, honey badger, hyrax, hyena, impala, jackal, klipspringer, kudus, leopard, lion, mongoose, oryx, oribi, reedbuck, rhino, serval cat, steenbok, squirrel, suni, topi, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest, wild dog, vervet monkey, zebra and zorilla
Distance and time: 190km (2 - 3 hours) from Arusha, 60km (1 hour) from Lake Manyara, 145km (2 - 3 hours) from Serengeti
Best time to visit: December to February and May to July
