“What a fantastic trip. This really is an excellent way to see wildlife very close to you. From the first time you put your canoe in the water you start seeing all the African wildlife you’ve dreamt of…”
GALLERY
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA
Lying at the eastern end of the Serengeti ecosystem, the name derives from the Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera (collapsed volcano). The geological magnificence of the crater and the crater floor provides a unique sanctuary for wildlife and has thus been declared a World Heritage site. Often ranked amongst the top in “The One Thousand Things to see Before You Die” this natural wonder of the world cannot fail to awe and inspire anyone who visits it. Ngorongoro, forms part of the Crater Highlands which wraps around several extinct volcanoes and calderas. On the eastern side of the park lies The Rift Valley Escarpment while the western side gives way to vast tracts of savanna grassland. It is here that one finds the Oldupai Gorge, renowned for its fossils and possible traces of origins of humanoids as exposed by the famous and much respected Leakey’s.
The crater, some 19km wide, has a floor area of 260km2 and is a descent of 600m below the rim. Much of the crater floor vegetation is flat grassland interspersed with some marshy areas while the slopes of the caldera have thick forested areas.
The crater hosts some very large populations of wildebeest and zebra and some smaller numbers of buffalo, antelopes and elephants. There are also some rhinoceros though the numbers are few compared to a few decades ago. However, the crater floor is reputed to have some of the densest concentrations of predators including lion, spotted hyena, leopard and a few cheetahs.
Some great birding is also possible with large flocks of flamingos at Lake Magadi. In addition, storks, kori bustard, ostriches and other migrating birds can also be seen.
Getting there:
By road- 4X4 essential. From Arusha by road.
What to do:
Game drives
Trekking and hiking
Birding
Visit Oldupai Gorge
Best time:
All year round
Accommodation:
Several Upmarket and exclusive lodges and some campsites.
Accomodation
Located in northern Tanzania inside the ngorongoro conservation area,comprises of 10 luxurious tents with stunning views.
For more information contact KOMPASS-SAFARIS.
With 75 rock built rooms from local river stones each with private balconies,situated 600 metres above the Ngorongoro crater the largest and the most perfect in the world.
For more information please contact KOMPASS SAFARIS.
Made up of 24 simple rooms with en-suite facilities,each with private varendah.For more information contact KOMPASS SAFARIS