Is there a better place in the world than Africa for a close encounter with wildlife? A kindergarten child would say, “NO”. Even a zoo in Africa seems to be loved by the animals and birds that are caged as long as they live in their home continent. Whether North, South, East, West, or Central Africa is your choice of destination, none of them will turn you away empty-eyed. Every part of Africa, every city or village, every game park offers thrill and excitement to animal lovers and African tourists. There are hundreds of lesser-known wildlife spots in Africa; the Ngorongoro Crater is one of them. I will give you a small indication about the number of forest animals in Ngorongoro Crater; how about 25,000 wild animals that include zebras, bison, lion, black rhinoceros, and the giant African elephants that are distinguished from other elephants by their large ears?
Where is Ngorongoro Crater?
The name ending with the word, ‘crater’ means it is a volcanic region. Broadly speaking, it is in dazzling Tanzania. There is a city called Arusha in northern Tanzania. It is the capital of Arusha region. Our exotic wildlife destination Ngorongoro Crater lies to the west of Arusha, about 180 km away. The entire region is named as “Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA)” and is under the watchful monitoring of UNESCO. This is the area where the Maasai community lives. Nobody knows the wild animals and their habitat better than the Maasai people.
How to reach the Ngorongoro?
You have read that it lies 180 km west of Arusha city. To go to Arusha, you book a flight up to Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive to Arusha which is 46 km away.
What to see in and around Ngorongoro Crater?
Guided tours are arranged by the National Geographic Channel and an expert from this exclusive wildlife and geography television channel will act as a guide. He will first take you to the floor of this crater that is caused by a massive volcanic eruption some 5 million years ago. This is the home to nearly 25,000 animals and birds.
If you want to stay overnight so that you can explore this rare geographical region leisurely, you can stay at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. Contact them for room booking at http://www.sopalodges.com/ngorongoro-sopa-lodge/overview
Ungulates
Nowhere else on earth you can see the Ungulates that comprise of several large mammals that are:
- Odd-toed horses and rhinoceroses
- Even-toed giraffes, deer, camels, and hippopotamuses.
Other forest animals of Africa that roam freely in the Ngorongoro Crater are:
- Black Rhinoceros
- Hippos
- African buffalo
- Blue Wildebeest (Gnu)
- Zebra
- Eland Antelope
- Waterbucks
- Thomson’s Gazelle
- Serval
This sure is a wildcat.
- East African lions
- Spotted Hyena
- Cheetah
Most of the Northern Tanzania safaris include a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater in the itinerary.
I have read a few travelogues of Ngorongoro Crater and it is unanimously declared as the most beautiful wildlife safari sites in the world. The added attraction is the Maasai people whose culture is awesome.
