Located at the eastern edge of the Serengeti, the buttressed slopes of the unique Ngorongoro Crater rise up through lichen-laced forests to an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level. Nearly three million years old, this incredible crater, the caldera of a long-extinct volcano, shelters one of the most enchanting wildlife havens within its glades whilst great prides of black-maned lions and lumbering troops of giant-tusked elephants traverse its plains.
This world Heritage Site, the so-called ‘eighth wonder of the world’ shelters almost 30,000 species of creatures and frames one of the greatest views on earth.
Scenic grandeur and stunning views are the hallmark of this wonder of the world. All the lodges are built high on the crater rim and afford amazing views over and into the crater - the perfect setting for a well deserved sundowner.
Visit the Olduvai Gorge, which is in the Conservation Area and where it is possible to see the famous discoveries of remains of early Man by Mary and Louis Leakey. However most of the activity is within the crater popular for bird watching, photography, walking safaris, and game viewing from a vehicle.
There are 25,000 larger animals within the crater itself, mostly Zebra and wildebeest. However, this is undoubtedly the best place to see black rhino in Tanzania as well as prides of lion that include the magnificent black-maned males. There are lots of colourful flamingos and a variety of other water birds around the soda lake on the crater floor. More than a 100 species of bird not found in the Serengeti have been found in the crater. Other game: leopard, cheetah, hyena, elephants, warthog, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and lots of other members of the antelope family and smaller mammals of sorts.
There are a number of lodges and camps to stay at on the rim of the Crater. Lodges: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and Ngorongoro Serena. Camps. Most campers stay at Simba site. |
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