Ngorongoro Conservation
Area
General Information
This area's claim to fame is in its diversity and fascinating attractions
making it the most popular and largest destination in the Tanzania
northern safari circuit. It has been regarded as the 8th wonder
of the world and was given the status of World Heritage Site in
1978. Initially a part of Serengeti National Park, the conservation
area was established to host the Maasai community.
The conservation area is home to Ngorongoro crater
formed as a result of volcanic shrinkage. The crater in turn is
recognized for its diversity as it is host to a number of tourist
attractions; a myriad of animals, two craters, a volcanic mountain,
birds and there also exists a fossil site.
Getting There
The area can be accessed from Arusha, which is 180km away. The road
is smooth for the first 80km but the rest is gravel. The area can
also be reached from Serengeti National Park 152km away.
Major Attractions
The conservation area is very diverse making up an entire eco- system.
The attraction include animals; gazelles, buffalos, élan,
cheetah, hartebeest, cheetah, leon, warthog, rhinos which are the
last surviving in Tanzania. These (rhinos) inhabit the Lerai forest
and can be observed emerging from their refuge adopting prehistoric
images as they stride along the crater walls. Along with animals
are two more craters within the Ngorongoro crater, Empakai and Olmoti,
a mountain which is the only active volcanic mountain in Africa,
Ol Doinyo Lengai. In addition to these is the Ol Duvai Gorge that
is host to the fossil remains of early man.
Flamingoes and water birds inhabit Lake Magat, a
soda lake. The crater floor is punctuated by swamps that provide
solace to hippos, elephants along with smaller creatures such as
frogs and snakes.
Of special interest is the Ol Duvai Gorge from which
fossils of the earliest man were discovered which along with the
hominid remains date back to millions of years. Guides are on hand
to give detailed tours on this phenomenon.
Another star attraction is the Maasai community
who inhabit the area. Their culture and lifestyle are a major tourist
attraction. In all of Tanzania's national parks, this area is the
only one that allows human habituation.
Tourists can also take part in forest hiking, walking
expeditions, game viewing, trekking mount Ol Doinyo or simply bird
watching.
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