Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA). Is among World's natural wonders, and consist of attractions with diverse wildlife species, landscapes, and Maasai people. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) was established in 1959 and is located 156 kilometers west of Arusha. Ngorongoro Crater is within NCA. The NCA is not a National Park, it is a Protected Area. "Protected areas" means areas entrance allowed by permit only including National Parks, Game Reserves, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Vacation packages available include Day trip safari to Ngorongoro crater, and Tanzania safari booking of 2 days to Ngorongoro, and Tarangire Park. For Tanzania safari bookings deals, browse here or contact us.
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) covers some 8300 square kilometers. It boasts of the finest blend of Mountains landscapes shaped by rifts and volcanoes, wildlife, people, and archaeological sites in Africa. The concept of multiple land use in a Conservation perspective is a deviation from a Traditional approach (National Parks & Game Reserves) regarding conservation as complete absenteeism of human Interference.
It becomes one of the first Programs in the World to pioneering experiment in multiple land use for the benefits of both Maasai people and Wildlife in Natural traditional setting. The multiple land use philosophy in the area is to maintain the co-existence of human (with social and economic factors) and Wildlife in a natural tradition setting. Pastoralism, conservation of natural resources and Tourism are the three Components that are considered to be compatible in the area. NCA is often called ‘African Eden’ and the ‘Eight Wonder of the Natural World’. Traditional African pastoralists Co-operate with Tanzania’s government bodies to help preserve the natural resources of the area and to ensure a fantastic experience for Tourists. NCA has more intrinsic and aesthetic values than what is needed by Tourists. One Researcher said “They can not know that they need it until they have it” It means unless you visit NCA, you can’t know its beauty and marvels. It has more diversity and stunning features than any protected area (National Park, Game Reserve) in the World.
Ngorongoro is the World Heritage Site and has also been declared an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. This is due to its outstanding Wildlife and Cultural values. NCA has many Fascinating features explains to you in detail the 2 most outstanding among other features. (i) NGORONGORO CRATER (ii) OLDUVAI GORGE.
(i) NGORONGORO CRATER.
Ngorongoro is the largest/huge unbroken caldera in the World. It is also known as a collapsed volcano, this natural amphitheater has 250 square kilometers and 23 km wide. The Crater has very steep walls of an average depth of 600 meters. It’s at an altitude of 2,286 m above sea level. The crater alone has over 20,000 large animals (half of them zebra & wildebeest). This includes some of Tanzania’s last remaining black rhino. Animals are free to leave or enter the crater but most of them stay because of the plentiful water and food available on the crater floor throughout the year. There are also gazelle, buffalo, eland, hartebeest, and warthog. Such vast numbers attract predators a plenty, mainly lion and hyena but also cheetah and leopard. More than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted here. Countless flamingos form a pink blanket over the soda lakes. For the best viewing and photography, approach the animals slowly and quietly and stay on the official tracks. Our Driver Guide will show you the Best of Game viewing.
(ii) OLDUPAI (OLDUVAI) GORGE;
It was here that Dr. Louis Leakey discovered the remains of Homo habilis or “handyman” regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution. Humans have been part of Ngorongoro’s landscape for millions of years. The earliest sign of mankind in the conservation area is at LAETOLI, where hominid footprints are preserved in volcanic rock 3,600,000 years old. The story continues at Olduvai (Olduvai) Gorge a river canyon cut 100 meters deep through the volcanic soils of the Serengeti plains. Buried in the layers are the remains of animals and hominids that lived and died around a shallow lake amid grass plains and woodlands, from 2,000,000 years ago to the present. The four different kinds of hominids found there to show a gradual increase in brain size and in the complexity of their stone tools. But many more fossils have been discovered here including those of prehistoric elephants, giant horned sheep, and enormous ostriches. Visitors can learn more details of this fascinating story by visiting the gorge where guides will give an on-site interpretation of the gorge. Oldupai Museum at the gorge is also very useful for information and education.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) has a number of other stunning features. These are shifting sands, Nasera Rock, Olkarien Gorge, Empakai Crater, Olmoti Crater, Active Oldonyo Lengai, Grassland, Lake Makat, Swamps, Lerai Forest; Acacia Woodlands and Complex Forests.
SHIFTING SANDS, North of Oldupai Gorge- a little black sand dune marches across the plains, covering 17 meters a year. Blown by a Strong steady wind it somehow maintains its size and somehow maintains its size and elegant shape.
PEOPLE AND LIVESTOCK. In the past few thousand years, a succession of cattle herding people colonized this area from the North. The most numerous and recent is the Maasai who arrived about 200 years ago. Their strong insistence on their Traditional custom and costume interests many visitors. Today there are over 42,000 Maasai pastoralists living in the area with their cattle, goats, and sheep Visitors are welcome to learn about the culture of the Maasai and buy their handcrafts only in designated bomas commonly known as “Cultural Bomas”. Apart from commonly Wildlife Safaris, Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru climbing, game viewing Adventures, and Beach Holidays, one can plan this extraordinary adventure in a lifetime. This extraordinary Adventure is walking in the Ngorongoro. Walking in the Ngorongoro Wilderness is both adventurous and rewarding. Great opportunities are now available for long walking Safaris and short hikes. Inquiries are invited for walking from Olmoti areas where Visitors could walk includes the Northern Highland Forest reserve, the Eastern Serengeti plains that are Nasera Rock, Gol Mountains, and Olkarien Gorge.
There are different detailed itineraries for Walking Safaris to the following points. Oldonyo Lengai Oldoinyo Lengai is the only active Sodium Carbonite active volcano in the world. This trip will take you to Lake Natron to view the flamingo breeding center as well as take you to the summit of this amazing volcano. This trip is 4 days long and is perfect to take either before or after a Kilimanjaro Climb. Lake Natron Flamingos breeding in the harsh soda lake conditions. Encircled by the Great Rift walls broken by the beautiful gorge of the Engaresero River. Ngorongoro Highland Trekking The Ngorongoro Highland Trek is a full-on walking safari adventure. This 10-day trip takes you hiking around the Ngorongoro crater and the surrounding area and also includes a climb of Oldoinyo Lengai. Ngorongoro Crater Trek The Ngorongoro Crater Trek is the baby brother of the Ngorongoro Highland trek. It is a 7-day adventure that covers slightly less ground than the Highland trek but also includes a climb of Oldonyo Lengai. Perfect as and on to a Kilimanjaro Climb. These are just a few to mention but when you arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation area, you won’t be exhausted. There are so many places to visit. There is unlimited information and we have revealed this Piece of Information to the public so that to awake the Spirit of Searching more about Ngorongoro Crater. Our advice is that Visiting Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the ideal way to know the physical Nature and so be proud to be well informed about the 8th Wonder of the Natural World.
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