Ngorongoro crater animals

Ngorongoro crater animals : The Ngorongoro crater is a Tanzania safari destination in Tanzania which is famous for wildlife viewing which can be done throughout the year.

The animals around the Ngorongoro conservation area can be seen in places such as the Ngorongoro crater and also around the Ndutu area and the grass plains around the Gol mountains. Wildlife viewing in Tanzania brings many tourists to the Ngorongoro conservation area which is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

Wildlife viewing around the Ngorongoro conservation area can be done at any month of the year including the dry season from June to October which is considered the best time to see the animals since they tend to gather around the water sources making them easy to spot during a Tanzania safari. Even in the rainy season, the wildlife species of Ngorongoro can be seen as they move around the grass plains.

During safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area, over 2 million wildebeests can also be seen around the Ndutu area. This is referred to as the calving season and it takes place during the months of January, February and also in March. Many predators such as lion, leopards and cheetahs can also be seen around the grazing grounds of the wildebeests around the Ngorongoro conservation area.

After the calving season around the Ndutu area, the wildebeests move towards the central part of Serengeti national park for the rest of the wildebeest migration that takes place across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem annually.

Other wildlife species which the Ngorongoro crater is known for include the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalos. You can also see wildlife species like hippos, gazelles, zebras, impalas, hyenas, warthogs, waterbucks, elands, hartebeests, jackals, serval cats, cheetahs, golden jackals and many others during a safari at the destination.

The animals of the Ngorongoro conservation area can be seen in areas such as around Lake Ndutu, around the short grass plains and also in the swampy areas of the crater. The Ngorongoro conservation area is also made up of acacia trees.

Over 550 bird species are also found in the Ngorongoro conservation area including flamingos that can be seen around Lake Magadi which is a salt lake found on the crater floor. Many other migratory birds can also be seen during safaris along the floor of the Ngorongoro crater and they include ostriches, kori bustards, grey crowned cranes, rufous tailed weavers, storks and many others.

While exploring the open savannah plains around the Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari, you will also enjoy the beautiful views around the crater. The Ngorongoro crater is also home of a dense concentration of lions as well as over 400 hyenas and many cheetahs.

Wildlife viewing is also possible around the crater rim area where animals like bushbucks, monkeys, bush pigs among others which can be seen during a safari. The highland areas of Ngorongoro are good for spotting wildlife species like buffalos and zebras which graze amidst the livestock of the Maasai people.

The Maasai people live around the Ngorongoro highlands and during a safari around Ngorongoro crater, you can also stop by the Maasai bomas and interact with the Maasai and get to know more about their way of life and culture, enjoy traditional dance performances as they welcome you to their community.

Many other activities are part of the wildlife viewing experience during a safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area and they include game drives, nature walks, hot air balloon safaris among others.

A safari around the Ngorongoro conservation as you search for the different animals at the destination can also be combined with a tour to neighboring parks like Serengeti national park, Lake Manyara national park or Tarangire national park.

Game drives around the crater floor of Ngorongoro can be done early in the morning and also in the afternoon hours as you take part in searching for the wildlife species along the crater floor with the help of a guide. The advantage that the Ngorongoro crater has over other destinations in Tanzania is the chances of seeing black rhinos during a safari is high during a big five safari.

Walking safaris around Ngorongoro conservation area can also be done during a safari in places like around the Ngorongoro highlands, the crater rim and also around the forests. This activity is carried out in the company of a ranger guide and wildlife species can also be seen during the nature walks around the destination.

Another activity to take part in during a wildlife safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area is the hot air balloon ride. You get to enjoy an aerial view of the crater and other attractions during the hot air balloon experience which takes about 1 hour.

The drive from Arusha town to the Ngorongoro conservation area during a safari takes about 3 to 4 hours and you can also choose to fly to Lake Manyara airstrip and drive to Ngorongoro during a Tanzania Safaris tour. These flights are offered by domestic airlines and can be scheduled or charter flights.

When visiting the Ngorongoro conservation area for wildlife viewing, entrance fee is charged to residents, nonresidents and also East Africans or Tanzanians.

Non East African citizens are charged entrance fees of 70.8 USD during safaris around the Ngorongoro conservation area for tourists above the age of 16 years and children aged between 5 and 16 years are charged entrance fee of 23.6 USD.

Expatriates or residents visiting the Ngorongoro conservation area during safaris are charged entrance fee of 35.4 USD for those above the age of 16 years while children aged between 5 and 16 years are charged entrance fee of 11.8 USD.

Tanzanians or East Africans above the age of 16 years during safaris to Ngorongoro conservation area are charged entrance fee of 11,800 Tanzania shillings while children aged between 5 and 16 years are charged a fee of 2360 Tanzania shillings.

There is also crater service fees charged to tourists on safari around the Ngorongoro conservation area.  This fee is 295 USD for non-East African citizens and is charged per vehicle and East Africans are charged crater service fee of 11800 Tanzania shillings.

Visit the Ngorongoro conservation area and take part in a wildlife viewing excursion in search of the many animals during a safari in Tanzania.