The focus of the famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is the immense volcanic crater itself which is about 16 miles in diameter. The walls of the Ngorongoro Crater are covered with dense forest and the crater floor has quite a diverse range of habitats encompassing open grassland, an area of mature forest, and wetlands including a permanent lake.
There is a profusion of wildlife here and in a relatively short time you are almost bound to see lions, elephants, buffalo, black rhino, hippos, zebra, wildebeest, antelope and occasionally you can even find leopard. The views from the rim are breathtaking, and the Ngorongoro Crater is packed full of animals all year around.
There are always a lot of visitors in the Ngorongoro Crater, but you should find that the wildlife experience more than makes up for this. There are a number of good lodges situated on the crater rim, and more choice within about an hour's drive, and it fits in well with a safari itinerary taking in the Serengeti and other northern parks.
The broader Conservation Area takes in more than just the crater and includes a great deal of montane forest, flat grassy plains and other magnificent craters and volcanic peaks. Tribes offers some excellent treks which take you through the Ngorongoro Highlands and vary from half a day to 7 days.
The area also encompasses the famous Olduvai Gorge known as the 'cradle of mankind', where the Leakeys unearthed the secrets of man's early evolutionary heritage.
The Ngorongoro Highlands
Away from the Ngorongoro Crater itself, the Maasai people pursue a traditional lifestyle throughout the highlands. Tribes has good contacts with some of the Maasai community in this region, making it possible for us to offer treks guided by them. This brings the local people an important source of income and gives visitors an unparalleled insight into the area in return, sometimes even including a visit to their villages.
There are a number of scenic routes throughout the area that offer spectacular trekking opportunities. There is a walk around the rim of the crater of around 3 nights duration, overnighting in temporary fly camps. On another trek you can even walk from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti! Another alternative is to head north in the company of the Maasai, to climb Oldoinyo Lengai, ‘the Mountain of God', which is sacred to the Maasai, and look down on Lake Natron glistening in the sun far below. Similar views can be had in the south of the region where Lake Eyasi lies, home to the Hadzabe people.
