Welcome to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Ngorongoro was part of Serengeti National Park until 1959 when the two were separated into two different Protected Areas with different conservation status. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area was established as a multiple-land use area, where wildlife could co-exist with the semi-nomadic Maasai, who move from one place to another insearch of water and pasture. The Maasai are a pastoral tribe that has managed to preserve its culture over hundreds of years, living in harmony with the wild animals. The NCA was therefore established as an experiment to maintain a balance between pastoralism, conservation, and tourism
Established: 1959.
Area: 8.300 sq Km.
Location: Latitude 2 44 y Longitude 35 00 y 35 55 E.
Altitude: Of 1350 to 3600 m. above sea level.
Features: Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater.
Wildlife:
Lions, elephants, buffalo, warthog, impala, hartebeest, antelopes, vultures, eagles, thousands of flamingoes, some leopard and rhinoceros, cheetah, zebras, wildebeest, jackals, hippopotami, hyenas and aquatic, predators and gramineous birds.
Distances:
190 km. from Arusha (2-3 hours).
60 km. from lake Manyara (1 hour).
When to go:
All year.
Facilities:
Lodges, camp sites outside the crater and aerodrome.
Lodges:
Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.
Getting There
The Park can be accessed by road or air.
By Road: From Arusha town to Ngorongoro gate, it is about 180 km.
By Air: It is also possible to get to Ngorongoro Conservation Area by flying a charter plane. There is an airstrip on the crater rim, close to the headquarters of Ngorongoro Conservation Area.Other local airlines have scheduled flights from Arusha, and other major destinations in the country to Serengeti next door, which makes easy connection to Ngorongoro.