The Ngorongoro Conservation Area In Tanzania

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Ngorongoro crater is found 180 kilometers West of Arusha town in Tanzania. This conservation area will lie upon the floor of the Great Rift Valley. Ngorongoro is a Masai word that was directed at the warriors who visited the highlands to battle their enemies. The Ngorongoro and the area was declared a UNESCO World heritage Site in 1979. The conservation area covers an area of 8,288 square kilometers. This is a huge area which include the Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Crater, highland plains, forest, scrub and bush.

This area was conserved to guard the animals and vegetation. The invention of early human fossils by doctor Leakey was made in this region. In accordance with fossils discovered by Leakey, early man lived in this area 3 million in the past. Several people have lived in this area. Hunters were the 1st people to settle here followed by herders. Later, the Mbulu people came into the location followed by the Datoonga community. Both groups were evicted by the Masai people after a long battle. Today, the Masai community are neighbors and the only people around to graze their cattle in this area.

The Ngorongoro crater (volcanic caldera) was formed after a huge volcanic exploded and collapsed on its own about 3 million in years past. The crater, which covers an area of 260 squire kilometers is 610 meters deep. It is thought to happen to be bigger than Mount Kilimanjaro before it collapsed.

The Ngorongoro crater is the best spot for game viewing from the whole of Tanzania. The swamps, marshlands and Lake Magadi(alkaline water lake) like the surrounding forest are an excellent the place to find about 40,000 wildlife. This include; a huge number of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson gazelle, elephant, hippo, lion, cape buffalo as well as the jackal. This is a great location to spot the rare black rhino.

This can be a bird watchers paradise especially around the marshland and lake Magadi. Bird species commonly seen here range from the vultures, geese, ostrich, crowned cranes, herons, flamingos, eagles, secretary birds and kori bustards.

There are various springs which drain into lake Magadi in the rainy season including Ngoitokitok, Munge and also the Lerai stream. The streams make the perfect supply of water to the wild animals, the cattle and the Masai communities too. Wild animals continue in the crater throughout the wet season. In the dry season should there be less grass, they move beyond your crater searching for greener pastures.

During the rainy season, the western plains of Ngorongoro provide adequate grass for your wildebeest migration inside the Serengeti. The conservation area can also be where you can about 62,000 people, the Masai community to be the majority. After conserving the Ngorongoro area, the government has attempted to balance the livelihood of the local people. This are already achieved by making use of the local people by allowing them to graze their cattle. The government has also started projects for example schools, health centers and road construction.

The fossil discovery by Leakey is obvious evidence that area will be the oldest site of the hominoids home in the world. The key attraction here include the crater, wildlife, Oldivai Gorge and also the beautiful highlands. Many of the activities include game viewing, hiking and photographing. You can also look at the Masai communities in places you will be entertained with dance, music and tales when you learn their cultures.
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