Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Lush Rainforest, Thick Vegetation & Grassy Plains
For many, the drive into the centre of the Crater is the highlight of their Tanzania safari. After a beautiful descent down the crater rim, passing lush rainforest and thick vegetation, the flora opens to grassy plains that spread across the crater floor.
Ngorongoro also known as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 180 km (110 mi) west of Arusha in the Crater Highlands area of Tanzania. Ngorongoro Crater, a large volcanic caldera within the area, is recognized by one private organization as one of the seven natural wonders of Africa.
The conservation area is administered by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, an arm of the Tanzanian government, and its boundaries follow the boundary of the Ngorongoro Division of the Arusha Region.
The jewel in Ngorongoro’s crown is a deep, volcanic crater, the largest un flooded and unbroken caldera in the world. About 20kms across, 600 meters deep and 300 sq kms in area, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder.
Lake Ndutu and Masek, both alkaline soda lakes, are home to rich game populations, and surrounded by peaks and extinct volcanoes, which create a stunning backdrop, completing the conservation area’s unique and beautiful landscape. The crater, actually a type of collapsed volcano called a caldera, is of course the main attraction. For many, the drive into the centre of the Crater is the highlight of their Tanzania safari.
After a beautiful descent down the crater rim, passing lush rainforest and thick vegetation, the flora opens to grassy plains that spread across the crater floor. The game viewing is truly incredible, and the topography and views of the surrounding Crater Highlands out of this world.
The Ngorongoro Crater and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are without a doubt some of the most beautiful parts of Tanzania Safari, steeped in history and teeming with wildlife. Besides vehicle safaris to Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, and surrounding attractions, hiking treks through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area are becoming increasingly popular options. However you choose to visit them, the Crater Highlands are an unforgettable part of the Tanzania Safari experience.
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