Ngorongoro Conservation Area : If you are looking for a mysterious African safaris destination to spend your holiday, Tanzania would be a nice pick for you. This fabulous country boasts a number of breathtaking destinations including the world-famous Serengeti National Park, the marvelous Mount Kilimanjaro and the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, a masterpiece of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Now, I want to show you the untold magic stories of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, yes one of the World Heritage Site as coined by UNESCO in 1982. This spectacular destination is located in the northern Tanzania close to the majestic Serengeti. You can access it by road or through chartered flights from any location in Tanzania. Others prefer to combine a Serengeti safari with an explorative safari on the Ngorongoro Crater and other attractions found in this conservation area. Your visit to Ngorongoro Conservation Area is incomparable as you will explore the untouched natural attractions including the following:
The Ngorongoro Crater; It is obvious that Ngorongoro Crater is the most attractive part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. It is largest intact caldera in the world and is 20 kilometers wide, 600 meters deep and 300 square kilometers in area. According to geologists and historians, Ngorongoro Crater was formed after the collapse of the Ngorongoro Mountains a couple of millions years ago. Ngorongoro Mountains were the tallest mountains in the world before it erupted and collapsed forming a large unbroken caldera, one of the Seven Wonders of Africa. You can enjoy the scenic views of this crater on a ride or walking safari. Grab a pair of binoculars and enjoy the views of wildlife and birdlife.
The Big Five; this is among the terms which are sometimes captured wrongly by some of the tourists coming for a Tanzania safari. However, I will clarify it; saying that Ngorongoro consists of the “Big Five” doesn’t mean the whole Ngorongoro Conservation Area has only five big animals, it rather means that the park consists of a number of animals species including the five species of animals referred to as the big five. The big five includes elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and the black rhino.
Wildlife; Ngorongoro Crater is like a self-sustaining system as ecologists pointed out. It has everything that an animal, bird or a plant needs. The crater is rich in pasture and water, so it hosts a huge number of wild animals. Some of these animals include wildebeests, hartebeests, zebras, gazelles, warthogs, cheetahs, striped and spotted hyenas, black jackals, giraffes, foxes, eland, antelopes, bushbucks, waterbucks, impalas, reedbucks and wild dogs.
Birdlife; As you ascend and descend in the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Magadi and in the lush forests of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area you will see the impressive colorful birds including the superb Ashy starling and secretary birds. Other birds include black kite, lesser flamingo, grey crowned crane, Kori bustard, Black-winged lapwing, living turaco, Egyptian vulture, Verreauxs eagle, Hildebrandt’s spurfowl, ostrich, White-eyed slaty flycatcher, African spoonbill, Red and yellow barbet, Jacksons widowbird, Hartlaubs turaco, Namaqua dove Rufous-tailed weaver, Rosy-throated long claw and many others.
Lake Magadi; This one is a fantastic place where animals and birds accumulate for getting water. It is a soda lake found in the crater floor. Its name “Magadi” comes from a Maasai word for salt. On the shores of this soda lake reside the pink flamingos, stunning birds which are always encountered in most soda lakes (e.g. Lake Manyara and Lake Natron). You may ask yourself “why pink flamingos on soda lakes?” I have an answer for you. There is a scientific explanation for the settling of these beautiful pink flamingos around these soda lakes. The main reason is the fact that Soda or alkaline lakes are homes to blue-green spirulina algae which are favorite food for pink flamingos. So the pink flamingos simply go to these alkaline lakes to get themselves both food and water at the same time. Unfortunately, water sports like swimming, snorkeling and boat safaris aren’t permitted here, because Lake Magadi is a significant water source for thousands of wild animals.
Other off the beaten track sites when you are in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area include the Shifting Sands; these magical sands move at a speed of 15 meters per year. The Olduvai Gorge is a historical site where the remains of ancient human beings were discovered by the Leakeys. The skull dates to 1.2 million years ago. Olmoti and Empakai craters are the must-go destinations inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Inside the Ngorongoro Conservation, there are also world-class accommodations either inside or outside the crater rim that will interest you. These include the state-of-art tented camps, campsites and lodges. As a matter of fact, Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a diverse of scenic views of various attractions which can be seen when paying a trip to this spectacular Tanzania destination.
