Ngorongoro Conservation Area

(Author: John Mansur | Article Views: 12 | Word Count: 1255 | Published: Apr 11th 2008)

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NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA (NCA).
The main feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA)is the Ngorongoro Crater--the world's largest unbroken volcanic caldera. It extends through the Crater Highlands, in which local tribes are permitted to maintain their traditional lifestyles in as natural environment as possible. This extraordinary volcanic landscape is rich and fertile, with stunning craters and lakes, and the high altitude creates a malaria-free micro climate.
The steep sides of the crater mean that it has become a natural enclosure for a very wide variety of wildlife, including most of the species found in East Africa.
At 8300 sq km the NCA is bigger than most of Tanzania's parks and because it falls outside the national park system it is permissible to walk along the numerous trails. Those who have time can explore the less publicized natural features such as Olduvai Gorge and Lake Ndutu.

The GEOLOGY.

Rifts and volcanoes shape the landscape of Ngorongoro. A rift is a disturbance in the earth crust, which causes rise or falls of its borders. Rifts also causes lava or melted rock to penetrate to the surface where it hardens. If lava emerges from the same penetration for a long period, it builds up into a volcano.
In the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the main rifts are north of Lake Eyasi and east of Lakes Manyara and Lake Natron, where the nine volcanoes of Ngorongoro highlands were formed during the past four million years. Of these, only volcano Oldonyo Lengai is still active. The ash and dust from the eruptions was carried by the wind to form the fertile soils of the Serengeti plains.
The CLIMATE.
The Crater rim, over 2,200 m high, touches swathes of clouds for most days of the year, with cool high altitude vapors that seem to bring a clean lightness to the air, and also a chill. These highlands wake up to a misty fog in most months, other than the high dry season during December and January.
The NGORONGORO CRATER.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact caldera in an exceptional geographical position, forming a spectacular bowl of about 265 square kilometers with sides up to 600m deep, the stalking ground of around 20,000 to 30,000 wild animals at any one time.
The crater floor consists of a number of ecological environments that include grassland, swamps, forests and Lake Makat, a central soda lake filled by the Munge river. All these various habitats attract various wildlife to drink, wallow, graze, hide or climb. Although animals are free to move in and out of this contained environment, the rich volcanic soil, lush forests and spring source lakes on the crater floor tend to incline both grazers and predators to remain here throughout the year.
UNIQUE NGORONGORO WILDLIFE.
Ngorongoro Crater is also presently one of the most likely areas in Tanzania to see the endangered Black Rhino, as a small population are thriving in this idyllic and protected environment one of the only areas where they continue to breed in the wild. Animals such as Zebras, Lions are also seen.The crater protects a microcosm of East African wildlife within its boundaries, said to be the most densely packed wildlife concentration in Africa.

As such, Ngorongoro Crater has achieved world renown, and attracts a growing number of visitors each year. Even if time is limited this natural but accessibly small caldera ensures a rewarding safari.
Unique and diverse, inside the famous Ngorongoro Crater a tardies-like effect takes place, as it is surprisingly small once inside! Most people find that one day is quite sufficient to enjoy the place. Its size compared to the vast expanse of the Serengeti means that you may see many other vehicles.

LODGES :
Exploring Ngorongoro, there are a range of nice accommodation in Lodges from a low income ones to Luxury ones. Some of these Lodges are :
1. Ngorongoro Crater lodge -
It is one of the most romantic options, with an inspirational and stylish design. The lodge is divided into three distinct 'camps', to ensure the utmost in personal service; retire to your own sitting room for cocktails among the branches of an ancient baobab, bathe with awesome views and dine under the stars - by the light of flaming braziers.
2. Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge -
A lavishly decorated but older establishment on the eatern aspect of the Crater. The Sopa has a more unusual stylistic expression that apparently date from the late eighties, but remains evidently nostalgic to the previous decade. The lodge is based around an impressive glass-fronted central atrium overlooking the swimming pool.
3. Ngorongoro Serena lodge
4. It is an impressive rocky bastion against the cool highland mists and excellent cosy rooms with full sliding-glass panels between bed and the open jaw of the crater. Rooms are laid out in two levels in long lines along the crater rim, making it feel much bigger than the other Tanzanian Serena properties. The whole hotel is well decorated with hand-painted cave-style illustrations and styled throughout to create a good atmosphere.
5. Gibb's Farm – Ngorongoro Highlands - Gibbs Farm is a remarkable hideaway between National Parks and conservation areas, a surprisingly English country garden tucked high on a wide African hillside between fields of maize, beans and coffee. A series of bungalow rooms under trailing flower laden eaves set around the old colonial farmhouse. The surrounding gardens are rich with fruit, home-grown vegetables and flower
6. Plantation Lodge -
As with Gibbs Farm this lodge is in the highlands and not at the Crater like the Sopa, Serena and Crater Lodge. The Plantation Lodge is surrounded by coffee plantations. Replete with charm and comfort the Lodge is hidden in the heart of the African bush. Swimming Pool and only 16 rooms
7. The Octagon Safari Lodge – It is situated between the majestic Lake Manyara national Park and the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, The Octagon Safari Lodge is a perfect resting place for the Safari traveller on Holiday in Northern Circuit. It is set amidst stunning gardens teeming with luscious plants and abundant tropical birds making it an excellent spot to sit back, relax and enjoy a well earned break from your Safari.

A SAMPLE OF ITINERARY FOR NGORONGORO.

Day 1: Arusha – you will be met at Kilimanjaro International Air Port and be transfered to a hotel in Arusha , where you will be met with your tour guide and prepare you for the Safari . Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Ngorongoro Crater

Pick up from a hotel in Arusha and transfer to Ngorongoro. On the way you will stop at the Olduvai Gorge where anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey made many significant discoveries, contributing to the theory that human life originated in Africa. Afternoon game drive in the crater. As very few animals migrate in and out of the crater with its 2000 ft. high walls, you can expect to see lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, flamingos, jackals, rhinos, antelopes, many birds and other species

Day 3: Ngorongoro Crater
Breakfast and depart with picnic lunch for a full day crater tour, explore the crater which is famous for its great concentration of wild life. Return to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: After break fast depart for Arusha arriving by Lunch time.

For more information on visiting Tanzania contact Wild Things

For more information on visiting Tanzania's mountains contact Mountain Kingdom

About the Author

john Mansur is a Tanzanian Student researcher on work experience with Wild Things and MK Safaris in Tanzania http://www.wildthingsafaris.com . http://www.mksafaris.com .

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