Ngorongoro Crater 8th Wonder of the World (World Cultural Heritage Site, International Man & Biosphere Reserve)
Ngorongoro is a vast conservation area and its best known part is the breath taking Ngorongoro Crater, a wonderful natural bowl.
It is a natural amphitheatre surrounded by steep walls rising over 600m from the Crater Floor. It is one of the greatest natural wonders of the World. The Crater floor is natural sanctuary for almost all the large mammalian species essential to the East African plains.Apart from the Crater, there is also the active Oldonyo Lengai Volcano, Olmoti & Embakaai Craters and the World-renowned archaeological sites of Olduvai Gorge and Laetoli.
Information on the Park:
- Established 1956.
- 8,292 sq.Km Conservation area; Crater is 304 sq.kms.
- 1,020m to 3,648m height above sea level. The Crater floor is 1,720m above sea level.
- Dry season from late May to October/November; Wet season from October/November to May.
- Best time to see the big migration (western & northern plains) is from November/December to May. Seasonal variation in wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater is not very significant.
What you will experience in Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- The entire Mammalian fauna essential to the plains can be found in the Ngorongoro Crater. The Crater shelters over 30,000 animals.
- Best chances to see the Black Rhino in Tanzania.
- Breeding of the major migratory animals (Wildebeest and Zebras) takes place on the North and West are of Ngorongoro.
- Superb scenery, extending from plains to volcanoes.
- Habitat is mainly Volcanoes, Mountain forests, tree & shrub Savanna, open grassy plains & highlands.
- Conservation area that protects local people (traditional pastoralism) and wildlife.
- Famous Archaeological sites of Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli.
- Very popular Park.