Best known for : This area is managed by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). The focus is on balancing the needs of the wildlife, the local Maasai people and their domestic stock, the general natural environment, and to control the effects of tourism on the area. This amazing area comprises archaeological sites, extinct and active volcanoes, breathtaking mountains, forests, vast lakes and magnificent wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater is world famous and we have dedicated a separate section to this unique World Heritage Site. The famous “Serengeti Plains” are shared between the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park. The greatest concentrations of mammals and the spectacular Great Migration take place from here.

Additionally there are famous palaentological and archaeological sites - the four major sites are: Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli site, Lake Ndutu site, and the Nasera Rock Shelter. The variety and richness of the fossil remains, including those of early hominids, has made Ngorongoro one of the major areas in the world for research on the evolution of the human species. The Engakura Ruins (the remains of a terraced city and irrigation system) lie on the eastern side of the Empakaai Crater.

Location : The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located within the Great Rift Valley.

This vast protected area stretches from Lake Natron in the northeast, to Lake Enyasi in the south, and Lake Manyara in the east. The area includes the Olduvai Gorge, the Ngorongoro Crater and the active Ol-Ndoinyo Lengai volcano (which last erupted in 1983). Roughly in the centre of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are the Olduvai Gorge and the Olbalal Swamp.

Size : The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers an area of over 8,300 square kilometres.

Wildlife : Together with the Serengeti National Park and the surrounding areas, the Ngorongoro Crater supports the greatest concentration of wildlife left on earth. Animal species found here include the opportunity to view the Big Five: buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. For more details, see The Great Migration, and for details of wildlife found within the Ngorongoro Crater.

Environment : In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area the two main rifts are north of Lake Enyasi, and east of Lakes Manyara and Natron.

These two rifts meet where the 9 volcanoes of the Ngorongoro highlands have been formed over the last 4 million years, of which Ol-Ndoinyo Lengai Volcano is the only active one. Each volcanic eruption released ashes and dust that were carried and deposited by the northwest wind to make up the fertile soils of the Serengeti Plains. The Olmoti and Empaakai Craters, Lake Ndutu and Lake Natron (breeding ground for East African flamingos), are all found in the northern parts of the conservation area. Olduvai Gorge is a river canyon cut 100 metres deep through volcanic soils of the Serengeti Plains. The altitude of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area varies from under 1,500m to 3,648m.

Vegetation : Due to the varying topography and hence climate, a wide scope of habitats are found in the Ngorongoro Conservancy Area. The steep slopes in the Conservancy Area are covered by scrub heath and remnants of dense montane forests. The Ngorongoro Crater floor has mainly grassy plains with both fresh and brackish water lakes, swamps, and two main forest areas. The rest of the Conservation Area includes undulating plains covered in grass, that become virtual deserts in periods of bad drought. These plains consist of rich soils supporting grasses and shrubs and are relatively untouched by cultivation. The upland woodlands consist mainly of Acacia tree species and perform a critical watershed protection function.

Climate : The various different levels of the land and the movements of the air masses cause great variation in the climate of the area. Rainfall is seasonal and follows the altitudinal gradient varying from 500 mm per annum on the arid plains, to the west, to 1700 mm per annum on the forested slopes in the east. The highlands have a moist and misty climate. Temperatures in the semi-arid plains vary from as low as 2 degrees to as high as 35 degrees celsius.

Activities : Mainly game drives and walking safaris exploring the various attractions of the area. The interesting archaeological finds at nearby Olduvai Gorge are an added attraction. Bird watching is very rewarding, especially in the Ngorongoro Crater.

How to get there :Ngorongoro is 190 kilometres west of Arusha (4 hours return drive), and 60 kilometres from Lake Manyara National Park.

By air : A twice daily scheduled flight from Arusha Airport to Manyara airstrip. From there a 2 hour road transfer to the above lodges.