Pure Travel
  • About
  • Destination Inspiration
  • Tips & Advice
  • Guide
  • Travel Writing
  • Cookie Policy (UK)
  • Conservation
  • Privacy
  • Travel Writing Competition 2025
  • Reviews
  • Travel Resources
  • T&C
  • Contact Us
  • Conservation
  • Privacy
  • Travel Writing Competition 2025
  • Reviews
  • Travel Resources
  • T&C
  • Contact Us
Pure Travel
Pure Travel
  • About
  • Destination Inspiration
  • Tips & Advice
  • Guide
  • Travel Writing
  • Cookie Policy (UK)
  • Destination Inspiration

Guide to Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania

  • December 19, 2012
  • Jules

Located in the modern day country of Tanzania is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and wildlife reserve. Stretching across the vast savanna, this unique safari and wildlife preserve and recreation area has delighted locals and visitors since its creation in the mid-1900s. Established in 1959 and currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Conservation area and the more than 8,000 square kilometers that it covers has been a multi-use land area for both wildlife and the indigenous people who have called this beautiful land home for centuries.

The People
The Maasai people have called the Ngorongoro region home for thousands of years. Traditionally a cattle ranching tribe, the Maasai work to live in harmony with the valley by holding to the traditions and practices of their ancestors. Visitors to the region are greeted at one of several cultural bomas where indigenous people share their story and their culture, which is a unique Tanzanian experience. The first is located on the road to Serengeti and the other is located near Irkeepusi Village. They will sometimes even pose for the occasional photograph.

What to see
Visitors to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area will discover plentiful wildlife on a safari trip. Lions, wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles are just a few of the animals that call this lush valley home. Black rhinos wander freely through the pastures as they look for food. Considered a major breeding ground for many species of animals, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area provides visitors with a means to experience these beautiful creatures up close and in their natural habitat.

The Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s sixth largest caldera unbroken caldera, provides a healthy ecosystem perfect for the plant and animal life found here. The crater plunges more than 600 feet deep and the base of the original volcano covers 260 square miles. Researchers believe that had the volcano not erupted, it might have rivalled Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The Olduvai Gorge
One of the most popular sites in the Ngorongoro Conservation area is the Olduvai Gorge (sometimes also spelt as Oldupai Gorge). The Olduvai Gorge is located just west of the Ngorongoro Crater and it houses one of the oldest, most impressive archaeological sites in the world. Excavations of the gorge have revealed the remains of the Laetoli hominids; the people who once roamed the region. Buried more than 100 meters of sediment and rock, archaeologists are piecing together the lives and livelihoods of this forgotten tribe making the Olduvai Gorge, the Ngorongoro Conservation area, and nearby Laetoli one of the most important archaeological sites for the study of the origin of humanity.

Each of the key sights within the Ngorongoro Conservation area are equipped with visitor centers, museums, and knowledgeable staff ready and able to help all learn and enjoy this impressive destination. From its natural beauty and majesty to its rich and glorious history, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and neighboring Serengeti will provide a great adventure for visitors of all ages.

Follow our essential Tanzania travel tips and insiders guide to all the major national parks to help your safari adventure run smoothly.

Share
Tweet
Related Topics
  • East Africa
  • Guide to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Ngorongoro Conservation Area
  • Ngorongoro tips and advice
  • Ngorongoro video
  • safari ideas
  • safari inspiration
  • safari video
  • Tanzania
  • travel inspiration
  • world travel
  • youtube
Jules

Previous Article
  • Travel Resources

Shopping In Egypt

  • December 18, 2012
  • Jules
View Post
Next Article
  • Did You Know?

Guide to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam

  • December 20, 2012
  • Jules
View Post
You May Also Like
yacht hire greece
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration
  • Lifestyle

The Ultimate Yacht Charter Guide for Greece, Summer 2025

  • Jules
  • June 24, 2025
best spanish shoulder season destinations
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration

The top destinations to visit during shoulder season for Spain’s sweet spots

  • Robert
  • June 23, 2025
Luoyang Buddha
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration

Chongqing & Luoyang: From Buddhist Caves to Hot Pot Streets

  • Jules
  • June 20, 2025
Lancashire
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration

Why Should you Choose Lancashire for a Relaxing UK Holiday?

  • Jules
  • June 18, 2025
Dubrovnik
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration
  • Great Holiday Destinations

One Night, One Ship – Memories in Dubrovnik That Last a Lifetime

  • Jules
  • June 17, 2025
where to go in India
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration

Where to Go in India: A Guide for First-Time Visitors

  • Jules
  • June 16, 2025
foodie things to do ion Bologna
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration
  • Lifestyle

Best Foodie Things to Do in Bologna and Modena

  • Robert
  • June 13, 2025
Munich
View Post
  • Destination Inspiration

Visiting Munich: Everything You Need to Know

  • Jules
  • June 12, 2025
Pure Travel
  • About
  • Destination Inspiration
  • Tips & Advice
  • Guide
  • Travel Writing
  • Cookie Policy (UK)
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Pure Travel
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}