Things to do in Ngorongoro Crater : Tanzania’s northern region is home to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The “big 5” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino) and the enormous, volcanic Ngorongoro Crater may be found there. As part of their yearly migration, massive herds of zebras and wildebeests cross its grasslands. Wild animals coexist with livestock owned by the Maasai people, who are semi-nomadic. Millions of years ago, hominin fossils were discovered in the Olduvai Gorge. There isn’t a place in the world like this one, with a variety of landscapes, abundant fauna and birds, and an environment unlike any other.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area has two major rivers, lakes, wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and mountain forests. Laetoli, Oldupai Gorge, and Ngorongoro Crater are not to be overlooked. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers a variety of Tanzania safari attractions and Tanzania tour safari activities for visitors to partake in, such as;
Game Drives
Ngorongoro Conservation Area attract more animals and provide more distinctive game watching than any other Tanzanian park, with the exception of Serengeti National Park! We are planning a full-day wildlife drive in our 4×4 4WD open roof land cruiser to experience the natural splendour of the Ngorongoro crater. Only between 6:00 am and 4:30 pm is it permitted to travel inside the Ngorongoro Crater, and all safari vehicles must leave the crater. For approximately 25,000 creatures, the Ngorongoro Crater is a magnificent natural sanctuary. Additionally, it is a protected area where the Maasai people resides. Just within the crater, when you go down to the floor for game watching drives, the game drive often takes five to six hours.
Empakaai Crater
The strenuous, steep guided walk to the crater floor at Empakaai provides a pleasant diversion from the twice-daily wildlife drives that characterise safari life. Along a reasonably well-kept trail, the steep but picturesque descent takes 45 to 60 minutes. If you’re hoping to view the many birds that call the forested crater walls home, you may spend more time there. You may also have the chance to see buffalo, bushbuck, blue monkeys, and even elephants. It is advised to have a moderate level of fitness and good walking shoes.
Maasai people
The original occupants of this region were the Maasai tribe. In fact, the location was given the name “Ngorongoro,” which translates to “gift of life.” Since they are arguably the most well-known indigenous group in the East, a trip to their village is unquestionably worthwhile. Meeting Maasai men and women, dancing and listening to their traditional music, watching a dramatic dramatization, and possibly even donning their red cloaks are all part of the visit! The opportunity to witness the rich Maasai culture and a true social aspect of Africa is what enriches this Tanzania safari experience.
Ngorongoro Crater
Ngorongoro is one of the world’s largest intact calderas that isn’t a lake, measuring 19 km in width and 264 sq km in area. As prey and predators graze and stalk their way across the open grasslands, wetlands, and acacia woodland on the crater bottom, its sheer walls, which rise 400 to 610 meters, create an amazing natural spectacle. Aside from other cars, it’s such a striking sight that you’ll question whether you’ve entered a natural paradise.
Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge is the location to visit if you have an interest in archaeology or simply wish to view significant paleontological records pertaining to the evolution of humans. It provides us with a solid picture of early human evolution and is among the most significant paleoanthropological sites in the world.
Oldupai museum
One of the world’s most important archaeological sites is the location of the little Oldupai Museum on the edge of Oldupai Gorge. Mary Leakey found an ape-like skull from an early hominin (human-like creature) called Australopithecus boisei here in 1959. The skull was 1.8 million years old. Our understanding of the beginning of human history was permanently altered by this finding and the discovery of fossils belonging to more than 60 early hominids, including Homo habilis and Homo erectus. Regretfully, the museum is still under development.
Laetoli
Australopithecus afarensis is most likely the hominid that left behind the 27-meter-long trail of 3.7-million-year-old footprints at isolated Laetoli, about 45 km south of Oldupai Gorge. Excavated two years after being discovered by Mary Leakey’s team in 1976, the site is incredibly distant and evocative. There is now a modest temporary museum on the site, with just replicas of the prints on display, but an EU-funded museum is planned and is still under development. The prints are in the Oldupai Museum as cast copies.
Gol Mountains
Ngorongoro Conservation Area mountain Some locations are so far from well-travelled paths that the only footprints left are those of traditional herders and wildlife. One such location is the isolated and little visited Gol Mountains region, which is northwest of Ngorongoro but still falls inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area’s borders. The Maasai, who still live outside of cash culture and still slaughter lions as part of their rite of passage into warrior hood, call this region of Tanzania one of its most traditional.
Hippo pool
In the Ngorongoro conservation area, this is one of the few top Tanzania safari attractions where you can exit your car. You can enjoy a picnic breakfast there, eating al fresco while taking in the early morning sunshine. A trip to the hippo pool at Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater would not be complete. A thousand hippos can be seen swimming in the pool as various bird sounds can be heard.
Bush walks
On safari, a bushwalk is a great way to get your legs moving and experience wildlife up close. Only in places that are designated, safe, and typically accompanied by a park ranger are bush walks permitted. Even if it’s just a short distance, a bush stroll is strongly advised. It’s a great method to go around the park. One of the nicest things to do in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is to take a walk within the crater.
Photography
Photography is the most popular Tanzania safari tour activity in every nation. Whether you are a novice or an experienced professional, you will have plenty of chances to hone your skills while on safari. While on safari, you may encounter lenses of all sizes and lengths, and a telephoto lens is advised for the more serious photographer. Those who go on night time drives might want to get a night camera. However, it is not permitted to go on a game drive in the crater at night. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoy an amazing wildlife game viewing in the caldera.
