Location
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located in the Ngorongoro district, west of the town of Arusha in northern Tanzania.
Size
The size of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is 3202 square miles of which contains the 102 square mile Ngorongoro Crater.
History
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established in 1959 although the giant volcanic Ngorongoro Crater is recorded to have been formed approximately 2.5 million years ago. The conservation area is home to a wide range of wildlife, including the coveted “Big Five”.
Entrance Fees & Permits
Entry into the Ngorongoro Crater is USD70 per person in the high season, and USD 60 per person in low season. Vehicle permits are USD40 per vehicle covering a 24-hr period.
Hours of Operation
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is open between 6am and 6pm daily.
By Road
Arusha is the nearest town, approximately 110 miles away, a two-hour drive through the town of Karatu. Visitors would enter through the Lodare gate close to Karatu. Safari-goers in the Serengeti will be able to access the Ngorongoro Conservation Area through the Naabi Hill gate, travelling on gravel roads with eyes peeled for wildlife along the way.
By Air
The nearest airports to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are Arusha International Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport, from which guests would need to transfer by road. There are companies that offer chartered flights to an airstrip located at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Weather & Climate
The Ngorongoro Conservation Areas enjoys a mild temperature with short rains falling in October and November and the longer rains coming down between March and May. The temperature within the crater varies from mild in the daytime to chilly at night. The dry months of July and August are the most ideal time for game viewing in the crater.
Avoiding Crowds
Consider visiting the Ngorongoro crater outside of the peak season months of June to August when there will be less vehicles traversing the crater floor. Consider traveling in September or early October before the short rains fall, the climate will be dry and there will be more availability at hotels.
Value for Money
Most lodging is located either a short distance from the entry gate to Ngorongoro Crater with a few prestige options situated on the crater rim. Thus offering a variety of accommodation options that range in pricing from USD300 to approximately USD1000 per person sharing.
The further away one stays from the Ngorongoro Crater, the more affordable accommodations can be found. Day trips around the conservation area and Ngorongoro crater are an option, so staying in moderate accommodations allows for easy access to the wildlife wonders of the area.
Popular Wildlife Sightings in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Within the Ngorongoro conservation area there is a myriad of animals to be spotted with over 500 bird species recorded. In Lake Magadi the beautiful sight of pink flamingos paints the landscape and during the calving season between December and March, the wildebeest migrate south to the Ngorongoro conservation area.
The Terrain
The Ngorongoro conservation area comprises grasslands and open savannas, with woodlands forming near the forested banks of the Ngorongoro Crater. Popular parks and reserves that fall within the Ngorongoro conservation area include the Serengeti National Park and the Great Rift Valley.
Olduvai Gorge
The Olduvai Gorge is one of Tanzania’s most important and frequently visited sites, a paleoanthropological area giving great insight into the evolution of man.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti National Park lies within the Ngorongoro conservation area, an expansive and incredible wildlife destination, home to a large number of animals and scenic beauty.
Lake Magadi
Witness wonderful birdlife and a plethora of flamingos on Lake Magadi, located within the Ngorongoro conservation area.
Ngorongoro Crater
Experience the wonder of a safari in this caldera. Teeming with wildlife and diverse landscape, it is a highlight on a northern circuit safari.