Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Situated approximately 190 km west of Arusha, between Lake Manyara and Serengeti National Parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a UNESCO-protected World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, spanning about 8,292 square kilometers.

This remarkable conservation area encompasses various features, including the iconic Ngorongoro Crater, the historic Olduvai Gorge, the captivating Empakai crater, and the majestic Oldonyo Lengai Mountain. Notably, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area represents a pioneering experiment in multi-purpose land use, where the indigenous Maasai people coexist with their livestock and wildlife in a shared protected habitat. While wildlife within the area enjoys protection akin to national parks, the Ngorongoro and Empakai craters are reserved exclusively for wildlife.

The Maasai, who predominantly reside here, are traditional pastoralists, and recent efforts have encouraged them to engage in farming alongside their traditional nomadic lifestyle. The centerpiece of the area is the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact caldera, with a floor spanning 304 square kilometers and a diameter of 19 kilometers.

The crater teems with diverse wildlife, including wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, and a thriving population of predators. Rare black rhinoceros can also be spotted here, along with the elusive cheetah and leopard. The rainy season occurs between November and May, and the altitude at the crater rim, at approximately 2,286 meters above sea level, results in chilly evenings, especially from May to September. In addition to this, Ndutu, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, serves as a vital gathering ground for migratory animals, particularly wildebeest and other species, from December to April, before they embark on their annual journey across the Serengeti in search of greener pastures and water sources, playing a significant role in the broader Serengeti ecosystem. Visitors to Ngorongoro have a range of accommodation options, from luxury lodges to public campsites, community campsites, special campsites, and permanent tented lodges within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA).