Ngorongoro CONSERVATION AREA
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is 3202 square miles big, and the 102 square mile Ngorongoro Crater is in the middle of it.
History
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area was created in 1959, but the Ngorongoro Crater, a huge volcano, is thought to have formed about 2.5 million years ago. The “Big Five” animals, as well as many other animals, live in the protected area.
Fees and permits to get in
In high season, it costs USD70 per person to get into the Ngorongoro Crater. In low season, it costs USD60 per person. Vehicle licenses cost USD40 for each vehicle and are good for 24 hours.
When they are open
From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is open.
How to Get There
By Road
It takes about two hours to drive through the town of Karatu to get to Arusha, which is about 110 miles away. People would come in through the Lodare gate, which is close to Karatu. Safari travelers in the Serengeti can get to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area through the Naabi Hill gate. They will have to drive on dirt roads and keep an eye out for animals along the way.
By Air
Arusha International Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport are the closest airports to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Guests would have to take a car transfer from these airports to the park. There are businesses that offer private trips to an airstrip on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Best Time to Visit
Climate and weather
The Ngorongoro Conservation Areas has warm weather. In October and November, it rains for a short time, and from March to May, it rains for a longer time. At different times of the day and night, the temperature inside the crater changes. The best months to see wildlife in the crater are July and August, when it is dry.
Staying away from crowds
You might want to visit the Ngorongoro crater when it’s not the busiest, like between June and August, when fewer cars will be on the crater floor. Think about going on vacation in September or early October, before the light rains start. The weather will be dry, and there will be more hotel rooms available.
Good Value for Money
Most of the places to stay are close to the gate that leads into Ngorongoro Crater, but there are a few high-end choices on the edge of the crater. This means that there are different places to stay that range in price from $300 to $1,000 per person sharing.
The less expensive places to stay are those that are farther away from Ngorongoro Crater. It’s possible to take day trips to the conservation area and Ngorongoro crater, so living in simple accommodations makes it easy to see the area’s wildlife.
Wildlife & Landscape
Wildlife that people like to see in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
There are many animals to see in the Ngorongoro conservation area, and over 500 species of birds have been reported. Pink flamingos add color to the scenery in Lake Magadi, and from December to March, when the calves are born, the wildebeest move south to the Ngorongoro protection area.
The Ground
There are grasslands and open savannas in the Ngorongoro conservation area. There are also forests near the forested sides of the Ngorongoro Crater. The Serengeti National Park and the Great Rift Valley are two well-known parks and reserves that are in the Ngorongoro protection area.
Safari Experiences
Game Drives
The best way to see wildlife in the area is to go on game drives in either open or closed 4×4 cars.
Safaris with a guide
With a trained guide, you can go on walking safaris of different lengths in the Ngorongoro conservation area. People who go on the longer walks will see the Great Rift Valley and Olkarrien Gorge.
Lodges & Camps
There are a few hotels and camps on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater, but most of the places to stay in the Ngorongoro conservation area are either in national parks or not far from the edge of the crater.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Lodging – Distance from park entrance
| Lodge or Hotel | Distance to park entrance (in miles) |
| Ngorongoro Serena Lodge | 9.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
The Highlands Lodge
|
6.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
| Lemala Ngorongoro | 15 miles to Lodoare gate |
| The Manor at Ngorongoro | 15.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
| Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp | 11 miles to Lodoare gate |
| Gibbs Farm | 10.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Lion Paws
|
17 miles to Lodoare gate |
| Tortilis Ngorongoro | 35 miles to Lodoare gate |
| Ngorongoro Safari Lodge | 22 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge
|
0.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
|
11.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Ngorongoro Farm House Suite
|
3.6 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
The Retreat at Ngorongoro
|
12 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Acacia Farm Lodge
|
18.6 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Hhando Coffee Lodge
|
0.3 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Ang’ata Ngorongoro
|
10 miles to Lodoare gate |
|
Ngorongoro Coffee Lodge
|
18.5 miles to Lodoare gate |
