Tanzania travel itinerary: a stunning three-week itinerary
February 17, 2020
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Going on safari through the Ngorongoro Crater belongs on your bucket list for a tour of Tanzania. The Ngorongoro is a volcanic crater that is home to actual wildlife and you can drive through it to catch a glimpse of this life. There is hardly a more unique place in Africa to spot wildlife, and the chances of spotting wildlife here are also incredibly high. In fact, Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is the place with the most animals per square meter in Africa. The crater is home to a remarkable variety of animals, including the buffalo, elephant, lion, hippo, gazelle, jackal and many more. Go on safari in this particularly beautiful and fortunately well-protected area. A wonderful adventure awaits you!
Ngorongoro Conservation Area nature reserve
To go on a safari through Ngorongoro Crater, you will have to enter the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The total area of this nature reserve is 8,292 square kilometers, making it one of the three divisions that comprise the Ngorongoro District in the Arusha region. The local NCA was established in 1959 to promote conservation, protect the interests of indigenous bevoking and develop tourism. The protection of this nature reserve is very unique because here conservation is integrated with the development of the local people.
The main feature of the NCA is the well-known Ngorongoro Crater. Several archaeological and paleontological discoveries such as very ancient human footprints have been made in this area in recent years. This discovered that mankind lived in harmony with wildlife during ancient times. As a result, the NCA achieved World Heritage status in 1979 and was added to the Human and Biosphere Reserve program by UNESCO.
The origin of the crater
With a diameter of 18 kilometers, an area of some 260 square kilometers and a depth of 600 meters, Ngorongoro Crater is the largest intact collapsed volcanic cone in the world. After many studies, scientists believe that the volcano would once have been as high as Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters). About 3 million years ago, a giga eruption is said to have occurred, creating the crater. Over the years, the crater has been shaped by erosions caused by wind and rain. Ngorongoro Crater is located at an altitude of 2,286 meters.
Flora and fauna
Just as special as the crater itself is the flora and fauna of Ngorongoro Crater. It is estimated that some 25,000 mammals live on the crater floor making it one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in Africa. The chances of spotting lots of wildlife are therefore incredibly high. In particular, you will see many lions, as this is where you will find the largest population of these animals!
The crater is home to lush green, rain-fed vegetation as well as many desert plants. The soil of the crater is incredibly fertile, which automatically attracts many grass eaters. During the great migration, which occurs mainly in Tanzania and Kenya, many ungulates move on to new grasslands. Ngorongoro's location and favorable climate make the crater an important site of the migration route. Hundreds of thousands of animals participate in the migration. As a result, the number of animals living temporarily on the crater floor can double.
In the middle of the Ngorongoro Crater you will find a gigantic salt lake, a place where you should definitely stop. Here you have the chance to spot many flamingos and other beautiful water birds.
What animals can you spot in Ngorongoro Crater?
For spotting the Big-5, Ngorongoro is the place to be. Because you are in one of the most densely populated wildlife areas here, the chances of spotting lots of game are enormous. For example, we saw many lions, elephants and buffalo. Spotting leopards and rhinos is just a little more difficult. Whereas we did not see the rhino in the Serengeti, we did see it several times in the crater.
In addition to the Big-5, you will also encounter many other game here. Such as zebras, hippos, wildebeests, gazelles, wild boars, foxes, jackals and ostriches. The animal you won't find here is the giraffe. Because of their physique, long neck and legs, it is not possible to make the steep descent. Besides the giraffe, you will not see crocodiles, oribis, antelopes and impalas.
On safari in the Ngorongoro Crater
Taking a safari through the Ngorongoro Crater you will probably do early in the morning or toward the end of the afternoon. These are the best times to see wildlife in action. Compared to the vast plains of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater is many times smaller. As a result, a half-day safari is more than enough for you to take in the breathtaking scenery and get acquainted with the many species that roam here.
Taking a safari across the crater floor is already a spectacular experience, but an open jeep makes the experience all the more enjoyable. You're safely inside a jeep, but you do have the option of standing via the open roof.
Getting to the Ngorongoro Crater
Our journey through the vast landscapes of Tanzania started in Arusha. From here we drove via Lake Manyara towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area. A drive that takes about 3 hours. From the entrance of the national park it takes about another hour to get to the crater. Of course, the duration of the trip depends on the weather conditions in the area, and also depends on whether you are traveling by yourself or with an organized trip.
Unique overnight stay in the Ngorongoro Crater
You will spend a unique night on the crater rim of the Ngorongoro. There are about seven lodges located close to the crater, but the ultimate experience occurs when you can gaze at the crater from the lodge. One of our favorites is Serena Safari Lodge, beautifully situated on the edge of the crater. A sublime stay in beautiful surroundings.
Visit the surrounding volcanoes
Besides Ngorongoro Crater, this nature reserve has other volcanoes. There are two other volcanoes worth visiting. These are the six-kilometer-wide Empekaai crater and the 3,700-meter-high Olmoti, both of which you can only visit with a guide.
The Olmoti Crater is relatively flat which is why many Maasai families and animals live here. The highlight of this crater is the flowing water which runs through the crater and the small Munge waterfall. The Empakaai crater is impressive because of the high number of water birds and the breathtaking view from the crater.
Best travel time to visit Ngorongoro Crater
Throughout the year it is possible to go on safari and spot animals in Ngorongoro Crater. An interesting period to visit this place is during the migration that takes place every year. Around December, the migrating animals move into the national park, including into the crater. They stick around until they leave again in June in search of fresh grasslands.
Rain showers are most common here from March through May. But keep in mind that thunderstorms can also pass through during the months of November and December.
In the summer months of July and August, Ngorongoro Crater is very crowded. Although there is a restriction on the number of jeeps allowed into the crater, you would rather not be in a jeep-file at such a special place.
Continue your route to the Serengeti
Serengeti in Swahili means "endless plain. With an area of 30,000 square kilometers full of savannas and forest landscapes, this designation is more than accurate. On safari through the Serengeti is a crazy experience where you experience greatest adventures. Sleeping in a tent in the middle of the Serengeti? Challenge accepted!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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