Ngorongoro Conservation Area is located 180km west of Arusha. The area was named after the Ngorongoro crater which is the largest caldera in the whole world. There are attractions a lot of visitors of its animals, birds, shifting sands, craters and people which are interesting to see.
There are a lot of things to see and do while there. They include;
People and culture
Presently the Maasai people (who are cattle keepers) are the ones living around Ngorongoro. About 200 years ago, the Maasai people colonized the area and chased out the indigenous people of the area. There are over 40000 Maasai people living in Ngorongoro Conservation Area with their cattle and other animals. In the dry season when water and pasture is scarce, they move to the adjacent woodlands and mountain slopes. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area management allowed them to take their cattle to the craters for water during the dry season. Because of their way of life, they are able to live in harmony with the wildlife.
While visiting Ngorongoro conservation area, a tourist can visit the Maasai cultural villages and learn about their culture; food, dress code, lifestyle, dance, marriage among others all of which are so interesting to learn about. You can take photos of the people, the tools they use, their homes and also buy some local products from them.
Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro crater is the main feature of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area which is the world’s largest inactive, unfilled volcanic caldera. It was formed about 2 to 3 million years ago, when a large volcano exploded and collapsed on itself forming a 610 meters deep wide depression.
The crater is a great place to see the big five animals and other wildlife in large numbers. You are able to spot some black rhinos, larger tusk elephants, a good number of lions, large herds of wildebeests, buffaloes, zebras, cheetahs, bat eared foxes, and hyenas as well as various bird species.