Ngorongoro crater is place of untold wonders located in northern Tanzania covering an area of 260 square kilometers. It’s ranked in the world UNESCO heritage site that attracts thousands of tourists every year due to having diverse wildlife and natural beauty. The Ngorongoro crater drive is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the iconic destination of wonders.
A typical Ngorongoro crater drive begins early in the morning, often before sunrise. Tourists descend the steep crater walls via a winding road, offering a panoramic view of the caldera below. One of the best ways to explore the crater is through guided game drive that normally last for a full day or half day allowing you to have a great time to spot different creature that call the cater home. Local park guides are knowledgeable about the wildlife in this great tourist destination and their expertise increase your experience, allowing to spot more animals that you might have to miss.
Ngorongoro crater area is often referred to as the Garden of Eden and this is because of rich biodiversity and abundance in wildlife. The crater floor is a home to over 25000 big mammals which includes most iconic species like the African big five (lion, elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards). The crater area attracts big numbers of lions and this has created large population of lions in the world. Other species that can be spotted here are zebras, wildebeests, duikers, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, gazelles, hyenas and many more other.
For those who love birds, the Ngorongoro crater drive offers a great bird watching experience since it homes over 500 bird species including Flamingos, pelicans, heroes, ibises, ostriches, crown cranes, Kori bustards, secretary birds, hammer kops and more others. Bird watching is normally conducted early morning or late evening since at that time, birds can be more active. The interaction between predators and prey offers a great experience. If you are lucky enough, witness the lions hunting zebras or any antelope.
The Ngorongoro crater drive also takes you to the Masai community to witness a unique culture which is related to the Karamajong of northern Uganda in terms of cattle keeping. The Masai people have lived in harmony with wildlife for many years. Take part in traditional music and dances, tasting their traditional dishes, Community walk through the Manyattas, storytelling and more. Encounter the Masai herdsmen grazing cattle alongside the zebras and wildebeests and this will give you a deeper understanding of how humans live in the natural world.
Our safaris to Ngorongoro Crater are normally combined with visiting Serengeti National park to have a chance of witnessing the annual wildebeest migration if it’s a season and also visiting the Olduvai Gorge museum a historical place where the first human skull was discovered by archeologist Mary Leakey in 1959. The tools used are still in this great museum displayed for future reference.
When to take a game drive in Ngorongoro Crater
Any time a traveller can opt to take a game drive in the plains of Ngorongoro. There are two seasons and these are the dry seasons occur in December to February and June to September. During this time, wild animals can concentrate on water bodies to quench their thirst. Also the weather is mild with little or no rainfall. During the wet season in March to May and September to November, the vegetation is lush and beautiful, during this time, you might spot animals giving birth. Also, the rainy season making the roads impassable and slippery.
The Ngorongoro crater drive offers a unique window into one of the world most remarkable Natural landscapes. The drive covers different aspects that combines nature, wildlife and culture. All you need is to contact us and we plan the best game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.