The Ngorongoro Conservation Area consists of various landscapes and includes dense mountain forests, woodlands, grasslands, lakes and swamps. Some of the most important archeological sites in the world, such as Oldupai Gorge and Laetoli can be found here.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unbroken, inactive and unfilled caldera in the world. Over 30,000 animals including the rare black rhino call this unique place their home.
Huge herds of ungulates dominate the crater floor with zebras, wildebeests, elands, Grant’s and Thompson’s gazelles being the species most commonly seen. The crater is also home to the “big five” animals. Elephants, lions and buffaloes are often spotted. Leopards are rarely seen as they prefer staying in the forests on the crater rim. The almost extinct black rhino can also be found in the crater and sightings aren’t rare either. Serval cats, spotted hyenas and jackals are also often seen while cheetahs are more difficult to spot. A ggreat numbers of lesser flamingos can be seen at Lake Magadi, a primarily alkaline lake. Other common birds include ostriches, kori bustards, crowned cranes, white backed vultures, black kites, cattle egrets, tawny eagles, augur buzzards and many more.
A large number of Masai community reside here making the Ngorongoro Conservation Area one of the only places in Tanzania where human habitation is allowed within a wildlife protected area. The conservation shares a boundary with the Serengeti National Park and one must drive through the conservation in order to get to the Serengeti.
