The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Crater is located 180 kilometers west of the city of Arusha in Tanzania. This conservation area is located on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Ngorongoro is a Maasai word that was given to warriors who went to the highlands to fight their enemies. The Ngorongoro and its surroundings were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. The conservation area covers an area of ​​8,288 square kilometers. It is a huge area that includes the Olduvai Gorge, the Ngorongoro Crater, highland plains, forests, thickets, and bushes.

This area was conserved to protect animals and vegetation. The discovery of the first human fossils by Dr. Leakey was made in this area. According to the fossils discovered by Leakey, early man lived in this area 3 million years ago. Several people have lived in this area. The hunters were the first to settle here followed by the shepherds. Subsequently, the Mbulu people came to the area followed by the Datoonga community. Both groups were evicted by the Maasai people after a long battle. Today, the Masai community are neighbors and the only people around who graze their cattle in this area.

The Ngorongoro Crater (volcanic caldera) was formed after a huge volcano exploded and collapsed on its own about 3 million years ago. The crater, which covers an area of ​​260 square kilometers, is 610 meters deep. It is believed to be larger than Mount Kilimanjaro before it collapsed.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the best place to see wild animals in all of Tanzania. The swamps, marshes and Lake Magadi (alkaline water lake), including the surrounding forest, are an ideal home for some 40,000 wild animals. This includes; lots of wildebeest, zebras, Thomson’s gazelles, elephants, hippos, lions, buffalo and jackals. This is an excellent place to observe the rare black rhino.

This is also a bird watcher’s paradise, especially around the salt marshes and Lake Magadi. Bird species commonly seen here include vultures, geese, ostriches, crowned cranes, herons, flamingos, eagles, secretary birds, and kori bustards.

There are several springs that flow into Lake Magadi during the rainy season, such as Ngoitokitok, Munge, and Lerai Creek. Streams are a good source of water for wild animals, livestock, and Maasai communities as well. Wild animals remain in the crater during the rainy season. In the dry season, when there is less grass, they move out of the crater in search of greener grasses.

During the rainy season, the western plains of Ngorongoro provide suitable grass for wildebeest migration in the Serengeti. The conservation area is also home to some 62,000 people, the majority being the Maasai community. After conserving the Ngorongoro area, the government has tried to balance the livelihoods of the local population. This has been achieved by employing the local population and allowing them to herd their livestock. The government has also started projects such as schools, health centers and road construction.

Leakey’s fossil discovery is clear evidence that this area is the oldest hominoid home site in the world. The main attraction here includes the crater, wildlife, Oldivai Gorge, and the beautiful highlands. Some of the activities include animal watching, hiking, and photography. You can also visit the Masai communities where you will be entertained with dances, music and stories while learning about their cultures.