Ngorongoro Crater

NCA was established in 1959 by the NCA Ordinance No 413 of 1959 as a multiple land use area, designated to promote the conservation of natural resources, safeguard the interests of NCA indigenous residents and promote tourism.

NCA is a unique protected area in the whole of Africa where conservation of natural resources is integrated with human development.

Reputed to be one of the wonders of the world and included in the list of Mixed World Heritage Sites in 2010, this 8,292sqkm Conservation Area named after its central feature – the Ngorongoro Crater which is about 20km wide, is the one of the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera. The 260sqkm and 600m deep crater provides an extraordinary natural sanctuary to some of Africa’s densest population of large mammals. Its habitat is very diverse including Serengeti plains that support about 2.0 millions migratory wildlife species of the Serengeti Mara-ecosystem and  the Northern Highland Forest Reserve (NHFR) which is a the catchment forest known as ‘Entim Olturot’ in Maa language.

The conservation area from Arusha there is 150 kms to reach the entrance of the National Park. Both paved and unpaved road on the way.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a 100% sighting of the “Big Five. Most of the game viewing is done on the Ngorongoro crater floor where there is the densest population of animals. While the Lake Magadi area and pools at the Mandusi swamp offer the best opportunity of birding in the Area. With high concentrations of wildlife offering close-range viewing opportunities, Ngorongoro is one of Tanzania’s most visited destinations.

Since the wildlife mainly stays in the crater all year round, there is really no good or bad time to visit.  However given that the crater floor does get busy with vehicles, it can be more pleasant to visit during low season.  Higher water levels in Lake Magadi (in the centre of the Crater) also result in higher concentrations of flamingos.  Whenever you visit to Ngorongoro, you are guaranteed excellent safari action.

The area entry fees are paid in advance or during entry which varies with the age of the guest.

There are plenty of luxury lodges situated within and outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. So visitors will have their pick of some of the best lodgings that Tanzania has to offer.