Ngorongoro Conservation Area
When you first catch sight of the magnificent Ngorongoro, it feels like stepping into a mythical world. From the forested viewpoint, you’ll gaze down upon the sunlit and cloud-covered splendor of the caldera. Encircled by lush tropical forests, Ngorongoro creates a surreal landscape. This park is known for being one of the best places in the country to spot the endangered black rhinoceros. It is also home to the entire “big five” – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos – making it an excellent year-round destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
The park’s greenery ensures wildlife sightings throughout the year, although many animals participate in the Great Wildebeest Migration, which takes them north to the distant Masai Mara in Kenya. As you descend into the vast bowl of the caldera, you’ll witness large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras roaming freely, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of hyenas, lions, and jackals.
At the expansive alkaline Makat Lake, you can observe a multitude of colorful flamingos. Don’t miss the Ngorongoro Picnic Area, where a hippo pool attracts these seemingly tranquil creatures, providing a unique lunchtime spectacle. On the crater’s outskirts, where the forest embraces the steep walls, you may spot leopards and black rhinos moving stealthily through the undergrowth. Throughout the day, playful baboons can be seen foraging in the area.
What adds to the allure of the Ngorongoro Crater is that it is also home to the Maasai people, who coexist harmoniously with the wildlife as they raise their cattle and carry out their daily activities. Nearby landmarks such as Olmoti Crater, Empakaai Crater, Lake Ndutu, and the Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano offer additional exciting day trips for those who wish to extend their stay in the area.
