Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experiences are what you need on any of your Tanzania safari expeditions. The crater is located in the northern Circuit and is the gateway to the famous Serengeti National Park. It covers a land area of 8,292 square kilometers and it is the world’s largest filled caldera.
The Ngorongoro Crater is an iconic relief feature and home to several wildlife species. On this basis, the crater was listed among the World Heritage by UNESCO. Below are some of the Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experiences you can be part of while on a Discovery Journeys adventure.
Birding safari experiences
Ngorongoro Crater is among the best Birding safari destinations in Tanzania. Over 500 bird species live in the different ecosystems that the crater has.
Notable birds include flamingos, Kori Bustard, grey crowned cranes, Kori Bustard, and the African spoonbill. The Rufous-tailed weaver is endemic to Tanzania and the crater is among the best places to see it.
Birding in Ngorongoro is doable any time of the year but for the best experiences, it is better to visit during the dry season. Migratory birds are always in the region from November to May adding to the bird diversity of the crater.
Big Cats Safari Adventures
Ngorongoro Crater is home to savannas Big cats that include lions and leopards. The crater is a natural enclosure and it is easy to spot these cats, especially the lions. These cats mainly thrive on the abundance of prey in the crater floor that they hunt down. On a good day, you can spot lions resting in trees in the woodlands as you exit the crater.
Leopards being solitary are rarely spotted. You however still stand a great chance of seeing them as well. The crater is also home to hyenas that scavenge on lions’ prey but sometimes hunt their prey.
Big Five Mammals
The Big Five Mammals make Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experiences even more enjoyable. Savanna’s Big Five Mammals include lions, elephants, buffaloes, Rhinos, and leopards. The Ngorongoro Crater is among the few places in Tanzania with these fierce animals that can easily spotted while on game drives.
Elephants are in plenty and so are buffaloes. The black Rhino population is estimated to be around 30 and a few are spotted on game drives. Male black rhinos are solitary and tend to hover around the open plains of the crater floor. Females live in small groups with their offspring until they are about 3 years old.
Photography Safaris
The high concentration of wildlife in the crater makes it a prime area for photography safaris. These feature all the mentioned safari animals and the impressive scenic views of the crater walls. Photography is best done in the morning and evening when the light is not sharp.
Other Safari Animals in Ngorongoro
There are several other safari animals on the Ngorongoro Crater floor. These include wildebeests, elands, gazelles, zebras, and hippos. All these are spotted on game drives in the different trails that the crater floor has.
Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experiences can be executed in a day excursion since it is easy to spot wildlife. For an extensive stay and journeys of discovery with the different wildlife, we recommend 2 days there.
Best time to Visit
The crater can be visited at any time of the year. During the wet season months, however, the lake floods cutting off a section of the crater floor. Game drive trails become muddy and can slow down your safari experience. Some lodges offer great discounts in the wet season and it can be a great time to travel if you want to save.
The dry season months from June to September and December to February are the best for overall wildlife viewing. The game drive trails are dusty but with minimal rainfall disturbances, you get an opportunity to fully explore the crater.
Where to stay
There are several accommodation options on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. They are located within an hour’s drive to the crater floor where most activities take place. Notable ones include Ngorongoro Lodge and the andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
You can also stay in Karatu just outside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Karatu has several accommodation options including Kudu Lodge, Kankari Lodge, Farm of Dreams Lodge, and Karatu Tented Lodge. Karatu is about an hour and a half drive to the Ngorongoro Crater rim.
Other exclusive Tanzania safaris
Tanzania offers other exclusive safari experiences including Tarangire National Park adventures. Tarangire is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, Dik Diks, and several bird species. It is the best place in Tanzania to see elephants. These and many other wildlife species gather at the Tarangire River in the dry season to refresh.
Serengeti National Park is still an outstanding Tanzania safari destination. It is most famous for its wildebeest migration, Big Cats experiences featuring lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and birding adventures. Serengeti is best explored on game drives and balloon safaris. Our 7-day Tanzania safari and 9-day Safari feature the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Serengeti National Parks.
Ngorongoro Crater Safari Experiences and overall northern Tanzania Journeys can be combined with primate expeditions in Rwanda and Uganda. Kenya also offers great exclusive safari expeditions. These include encounters with rare wildlife species like the Grevys zebra, Oryx Beisa, and reticulated giraffes in Samburu National Reserve. Amboseli National Park adventures are epic as you journey with the elephants viewing Mount Kilimanjaro in the background.
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