Ngorongoro crater trip : The Ngorongoro crater is a wildlife viewing destination which is found in the northern part of Tanzania. When on a Tanzania Safari, you can visit the Ngorongoro conservation area which is not only a wildlife viewing destination but also the world’s largest inactive volcanic caldera and the Ngorongoro crater can be visited at any time of the year.
The Ngorongoro crater is about 185 kilometers from Arusha town which is a point where safaris to the northern part of Tanzania begin. The destination can be accessed by both flight and also driving from Arusha which takes about 4 hours.
Some of the attractions found around the Ngorongoro conservation area include Ol duvai gorge which is also referred to as the cradle of mankind. Other attractions around the destination include Empakaai crater, Olmoti crater, Lerai forest, Ol donyo lengai, Ndutu lake among others.
A number of wildlife species can be seen around the Ngorongoro crater after descending about 600 meters into the crater in search of wildlife species like the big 5 which include elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos , Ngorongoro crater trip .. Other wildlife species found around Ngorongoro conservation area include wildebeests, zebras, gazelles, impalas, kudu, waterbucks, hippos, hyenas, warthogs, cheetahs, elands and many others.
Ngorongoro conservation area also has amazing views that tourists can enjoy during their safaris in Tanzania. The crater rim has splendid views and the crater also has diverse habitat for the wildlife species that are spotted on safari.
Safaris to the Ngorongoro conservation area can be combined with safaris to other destinations like Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park, Arusha national park among others.
There are many things to do or activities to carry out during a safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area and they include game drives, walking safaris or nature walks, hot air balloon excursions, birding or bird watching, cultural tours among others.
Game drives during safaris in Ngorongoro conservation area are carried out along the crater floor where tourists from the comfort of their safari vehicles enjoy looking out in the savannah plains looking for wildlife species like elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes among others. For wildlife viewing, the dry season around June to October is considered a good time of the year to see these wildlife species.
The Ngorongoro conservation area can also be explored on foot as a way of getting a closer view of the surroundings at the destination and its attractions. These nature walks can be done around the crater rim and in other places. The activity is done with a ranger guide accompanying the tourists during the wildlife viewing experience.
Interactions with the different tribes that live in the neighboring areas of the Ngorongoro conservation area is another experience which tourists enjoy as they visit Tanzania. The Maasai are among the tribes that tourists interact with and get to know their way of life and culture and also visit the homesteads, enjoy traditional dance performances among other experiences.
Birds like flamingos are among the bird species which can be seen around the Ngorongoro conservation and other birds include bee eaters, grey crowned cranes, storks, kori bustards, starlings among others. The best time to see these birds is during the months of November to April.
In the Ngorongoro conservation area, the wildebeest migration can also be seen around the Ndutu area where over 8000 calves are born daily during the months of January to March. During these months, there are also many predators which can be seen around the savannah plains where the wildebeest herds graze.
Hiking is also carried out around the Ngorongoro conservation area in places like Oldonyo lengai, Empakaai crater, Olmoti crater and also around the crater rim. These hikes are exciting and can be done at any month of the year.
When visiting the Ngorongoro conservation area, fees which are paid include entrance fee of 70.8 USD for non-East Africans above the age of 16 years and 23.6 USD for children aged between 5 and 15 years thus Ngorongoro crater trip .
Residents/expatriates visiting the Ngorongoro conservation area are charged entrance fee of 35.4 USD for those above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged entrance fee of 11.8 USD. They can also pay these fees in the equivalent in Tanzania shillings during their trips in Tanzania.
East African citizens or Tanzania citizens are charged entrance fee of 11,800 Tanzania shillings for those above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged entrance fee of 2,360 Tanzania shillings.
Crater service fee is also charged during the tours to the Ngorongoro crater and this fee is charged per vehicle. The crater service fee is 295 USD for non-East African citizens while Tanzania citizens and East African citizens are charged crater fee of 11,800 Tanzania shillings.
Camping fees are also charged during safaris to the Ngorongoro conservation area and this fee is 35.4 USD for nonresident or non-East African citizen adults above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged 11.8 USD.
East African citizens and Tanzanian citizens above the age of 16 years are charged camping fee of 11,800 Tanzania shillings while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged camping fee of 5,900 Tanzania shillings.
For special campsites around the Ngorongoro conservation area, tourists are charged camping fee of 70.8 USD for non-East African citizens above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged camping fee of 35.4 USD, Ngorongoro crater trip .
East African citizens and Tanzanian citizens above the age of 16 years are charged a fee of 17,000 Tanzania shillings to stay at special campsites while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged camping fee of 8,850 Tanzania shillings.
For a tour to the Olduvai gorge when visiting the Ngorongoro conservation area, tourists are charged a fee of 35.4 USD for non-East African citizens above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 15 years are charged a fee of 11.8 USD.
East African citizens visiting Ol duvai gorge above the age of 16 years are charged a fee of 5,900 Tanzania shillings while those aged between 5 and 15 years are charged a fee of 1,180 Tanzania shillings.
Visit the Ngorongoro conservation area and enjoy exploring the savannah plains and the crater floor as you search for the various wildlife species at the destination.
