Map of Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Crater : Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the best scenic Tanzania safari destination, the area is recognized as a World Heritage Site since 1979 and it is one of the 8th Natural wonder of the World covering an area of 8,292 square kilometers with highlands, forest, savannah, craters and lakes.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established as a special project in 1959 where the Masai People would live and graze their livestock together with the wild animals.
In Ngorongoro Conservational area there is Ngorongoro crater – the world’s largest intact crater.
About Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro crater is the largest volcanic caldera and is the main attraction in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the crater is refered to as the 8th wonder of the world and is famous for a very high wildlife concentration living in this volcanic caldera.
Ngorongoro crater is part of Ngorongoro Conservation Area which extends for about 8,300 square kilometers East of the Serengeti national park and North- West of Arusha, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a home to over 25,000 mammals and it is also a paradise for bird waters.
Animals you should expect to spot in Ngorongoro Conservation Area during game drive include lions, cheetahs, elephants, cape buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, the rare black rhinos, hyenas, wildebeests, gazelles hippos among others.
During the period of December to March, Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a home for the Great Migration between Ngorongoro and Serengeti national park.
In addition to wildlife and Ngorongoro Crater, there are other attractions in Ngorongoro Conservation Area such as The Olduvai Gorge – one of the most important archeological sites in the world, 8 other craters including Olmoti Crater and Empakai Crater and the Maasai Boma where you can learn culture and traditions of Africa’s famous tribe – The Maasai.
About Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Size: 8,292 kmq; the crater is 260 kmq, 610 meters deep
- Location: Northern Tanzania
- Crater size: 260 sq. km of surface
- Crater diameter: 22.5 Km
Location of Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in the northern region of Tanzania approximately 153 kilometers west of Arusha Town – the safari capital of Tanzania. Because of the location of Ngorongoro Conservation Area it can easily be combined to some other Tanzania wildlife gems such as Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park and Lake Manyara national all found in the Northern Tanzania safari Circuit.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is situated approximately 50 kilometers from Lake Manyara national park, 139 kilometers from Tarangire national park and 213 kilometers from Arusha national park.
MAP OF NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AND THE CRATER
How to get to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Most safari to Ngorongoro Conservation Area start from the town of Arusha which is about 180 kilometers away, air and road means of transport are the best way to get to this mind-blowing Tanzania safari destination.
Travelling to Ngorongoro conservation Area by Road
From Town, it is a drive of about 2-4 hours to get to Ngorongoro Conservation Area covering approximately 185 kilometers
Domestic and scheduled flights to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Domestic and scheduled flights to Ngorongoro Conservation Area are operated by several domestic flight companies including Precison Air, Regional Air, flightlink, Auric Air, Zan Air among others. These flight companies offer daily scheduled flights to conservation Area, the flight is about 1hour 30 minutes.
Note: When planning to fly to Ngorongoro Conservation Area that early booking is required.
Best time to visit Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is an excellent Tanzania Safari destination all year round, however the best time to visit during the dry season which starts in June, July, August and September. The dry season is a typical peak safari season in Ngorongoro Conservational Area which see many tourists present, in the season game viewing is excellent and this is due to short grass cover and animals are easily seen as they congregate at water holes drinking water.
