Ngorongoro Crater has been declared as the 8th world heritage center and is nicknamed EDEN GARDEN OF AFRICA.
Ngorongoro has rich pastures and permanent water of the crater.
Ngorongoro Crater is oval shaped and it’s bounded by Lake Eyasi, Gol Mountains, Olbalal swamps & Olduvai Gorge.
There are vast numbers of animals – Zebra, Wildebeest, eland, gazelle, wart hog, buffalo etc which attracts predators – lion, cheetah, leopard, and hyena.
Also you will find birds – flamingo, fish eagle, heron, crested crane, marabou stork, secretary bird etc.
Activities :
Game drives, cultural tours by Visiting Local Maasai Village , visiting Coffee Plantation in Karatu and forest walks on the escarpments – Olmoti & Empakaai Crater.
Dry Season in Ngorongoro:
June – Mid November: Best time for game viewing:
December – February: Humid & Hot: Good time for game viewing.
Rainy Season in Ngorongoro:
Mid November – Mid December: Short Rain: Wonderful for birdlife and lush scenery
April – May: Heavy rain : Wonderful for birdlife and lush scenery.
Getting to Ngorongoro:
Road: 3 hours from Arusha
OLDUVAI GORGE
Olduvai Gorge is located between the eight world heritage site, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
Remains of Homo habillis regarded as mankind’s first step to human evolution. Fossils have been described including prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep and enormous ostriches. Recommended to visit on en route via Ngorongoro / Serengeti National Park.
EMPAKAI CRATER
Empakai is one of the most beautiful craters in Ngorongoro Crater. The large portion of its floor is covered with a lake. It is 3200m above sea level, the wall rises 300m above the crater floor and the crater is about 8 km in diameter. Because of high altitude, the area is often shrouded in mist and combined with the emerald colour of the lake; it creates an atmosphere straight out of a fairy tale. Is the unique place for walking to explore forested crater and magic of the variety of its wildlife and flora paradise.
OLMOTI CRATER
Olmoti crater is situated north of Ngorongoro crater, and lies at an altitude of 3,080 metres but the crater’s floor itself is relatively shallow and covered with tussocks of grass.
Olmoti is only possible by foot with the escort of an armed ranger. It takes about 35minutes to walk to the rim of this shallow crater.
Olmoti is worth a visit for its scenic beauty and sense of solitude. This part of highlands is an excellent area for walking safaris off beaten track, but is very seldom visited, and is completely upstaged by the Ngorongoro crater just a few km to the south.
Suggested Itineraries for Ngorongoro: A day trip or 2 Days /1 Night Safari: Ngorongoro can be combined with Embakaai Crater, Olmoti Crater, Manyara, Tarangire & Serengeti: Check for Itineraries
Accommodations in Ngorongoro Crater:
Destinations
SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
Selous Game Reserve
Ruaha National Park
Mikumi National Park
Udzungwa National Park
Saadani National Park
Amani Nature Reserve
Kilombero Valley
Mufindi Highlands
NORTHERN CIRCUIT
Serengeti National Park
Ngorongoro Crater
Manyara National Park
Tarangire National Park
Mkomazi, Lake Natron & Lake Eyasi
Mt Kilimanjaro
COASTAL CIRCUIT
Kilwa
Mafia Island
Zanzibar
Pangani
WESTERN CIRCUIT
Katavi National Park
Mahale Mt National Park
Gombe Stream National Park
Itineraries
SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
2 Days Mikumi safari
3 Days Mikumi Safari
3 Days Selous Safari
4 Days Udzungwa & Mikumi Safari
5 Days Selous & Mikumi Safari
7 Days Selous, Ruaha & Mikumi Safari
8 Days Authentic Honeymoon Safari
16 Days Best of South Safari
Day Tours
Beach Relaxations
NORTHERN CIRCUIT
3 Days Manyara & Ngorongoro Safari
5 Days Manyara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro Safari
WESTERN CIRCUIT
3 Days GombeTrekking
4 Days Mahale Trekking